ICRC president says more must be done to protect Darfur population

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Nov 30, 2004 (AP) — The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross said Tuesday that his three-day visit to the troubled Darfur region showed improved access to the affected population but that more needed to be done to protect them.

Jakob Kellenberger.

Jakob Kellenberger visited El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, as well as the cities of Kutum and Zalingei. He said access had “improved substantially” since his last visit, in March 2004, according to a statement issued by the ICRC.

Kellenberger made recommendations on improving protection of the civilian population in Darfur in talks with government officials, the statement said, referring to “serious violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) committed under the responsibility of the government.”

“The core of these recommendations seeks to ensure that the basic principles of IHL are known and respected throughout the chain of command of the forces under the control of the government. The government should moreover take the necessary measures to end the impunity of those who have committed violations of IHL,” the statement said.

Kellenberger said the ICRC would monitor the follow-up to its recommendations.

Aid groups in Sudan have come under government fire this week for their statements about the situation in Darfur, the western region facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to a rebellion and a counterinsurgency.

On Monday, the country directors of Save the Children UK and Oxfam International were ordered out of the country for statements that Sudan said supported the rebels. It postponed the expulsion order on Tuesday after efforts by Western diplomats.