UN to impose sanctions on 10 members of Sudanese government – report

Mar 1, 2006 (LONDON) — The UN intends to impose targeted sanctions on up to 10 members of Sudan’s government and others involved in the Darfur crisis, after an increase in killings in recent months and access being denied to aid camps.

According to the London based The Guardian, a security council resolution, sponsored by Britain, will recommend a travel ban, a freeze on overseas accounts and other assets, and, possibly, the issuing of warrants by the International Criminal Court, which deals with crimes against humanity.

The UN drew up a confidential list last year of dozens of Sudanese leaders it claims are responsible for deaths and displacement, as well as leaders of the government-backed militia and two rebel movements.

Sudan’s interior minister, defence minister and the director of its national intelligence service are named in a confidential list of individuals who could be considered for sanctions by the UN Security Council over their alleged role in the conflict in Darfur.

A British official said the resolution naming individuals in “close to double figures” would be put in the next fortnight; the names would not be revealed beforehand, for fear they would move their assets or go into hiding, but at least one was a senior member of Sudan’s armed forces.

(ST/The Guardian)