Sinn Fein’s Adams urges stronger UN response to Darfur crisis?
LONDON, Nov 1, 2004 (KUNA) — The United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) were urged Monday to muster a more effective international response to the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Speaking to reporters before his week-long tour of the United States which begins this Wednesday, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said the international community’s reaction to the situation had been ineffectual.
Adams said the crisis illustrated the need for a fundamental restructuring of the U.N.
He urged the Irish Government to use its influence in the EU and UN to forge a better international response.
”For almost two years the Sudanese government, through its surrogates in the Janjaweed militia, has waged a brutal war against the people of the Darfur region,” he said.
”Mass murder, the destruction of villages, food and livestock and irrigation systems has been tolerated by the international community.”
”50,000 have died and 1.2 million people were driven from their homes and into hurriedly erected camps, ill-equipped to deal with even their basic needs. The UN has proven ineffectual in influencing the Sudanese government or brining an end to the behaviour of the Janjaweed.”
”The resolutions passed by the UN reflect the economic self-interests of key members of the Security Council rather than the humanitarian needs of the people of Darfur. ”The Darfur crisis highlights again the need for a fundamental restructuring of the UN.”
”Too often in recent years governments have violated human rights while the world stands by. The usual platitudes of shock and horror, and concern have been made, but no action taken to challenge the governments involved,” the Sinn Fein President added.
Talks aimed at ending the war between Darfur’s local rebels and pro-Sudanese government militias have been taking place in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
Over 1.5 million people have fled their homes because of the war in Darfur and around 70,000 have been killed.
Aid agencies have been struggling to cope with demands for water and food
from refugees in the middle of the conflict.
Adams said that with so many people dying, urgent action was required from the international community.
With an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 people dying each month in the Darfur region significant and urgent action is needed,” he went on.
In conclusion, Adams said The Irish Government should use its international good standing, diplomatic resources and political influences and take the lead in pushing the international community, especially the EU and UN, toward a substantial involvement which will quickly alleviate the suffering of the people of that region.”