New human rights abuses in Darfur must prompt US action
AFRICA ACTION
New Light on Human Rights Abuses in Darfur Must Prompt U.S. Action at the UN
UN Human Rights Experts to Identify Measures to Improve Human Rights
Situation in Darfur; Africa Action Stresses that a Protection Force Must
be Deployed
May 24, 2007 (WASHINGTON, DC) — As a group of United Nations
(UN) human rights experts yesterday began to investigate the situation
in Darfur and today will meet with the Sudanese government, Africa
Action emphasized that the growing evidence of human rights abuses must
prompt the swift deployment of a robust peacekeeping force.
As the month of May draws to a close, Africa Action underscored that the
U.S. must use its brief remaining time as president of the UN Security
Council to push Darfur to the forefront of the international community’s
agenda. Africa Action also stressed that the deployment of a
peacekeeping force is necessary to stop the violence against civilians
and humanitarian operations, create stable conditions for peace
negotiations, and facilitate the return of displaced people.
Nii Akuetteh, Executive Director of Africa Action, said today, “Reports
of increased violence and government attacks on villages in Darfur have
routinely emerged from UN sources, humanitarian agencies and others. The
tactics of the Sudanese government against the people of Darfur are
clear. So are the consequences of international inaction. It is
disturbing that, during this U.S. presidency of the UN Security Council
in May, U.S. representatives have failed to use this opportune political
moment to mobilize adequate support for the deployment of peacekeepers.”
The team of human rights experts will provide a report of their
observations to the UN and will push the Sudanese government to
implement UN resolutions on Darfur. Africa Action highlighted that last
year’s passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1706 authorized the
deployment of UN peacekeepers with the mandate, command structure,
resources and troop levels to protect vulnerable people in Darfur. The
organization further stated that the immediate implementation of the
terms of this resolution is crucial.
Reports from the UN Mission in Sudan indicated that new clashes between
government and rebel forces erupted in North Darfur over the past
weekend. In addition, attacks by Arab militias prompted civilians to
flee their villages in South Darfur, further adding to the populations
of camps for internally displaced people and increasing the strain on
limited humanitarian aid.
For more information on Africa Action’s Campaign to Stop Genocide in
Darfur, see http://www.africaaction.org/darfur.