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UN: International Assistance Essential for Darfur Citizens
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&ctl=1400463:A6F02AD83191E16009299E8F748E2CA19574F7DCC14957C0 High Commissioner
for Human Rights Louise Arbour criticizes government and rebels for
failing to protect civilians; Sudan is rejecting calls for
international peacekeepers





Louise ArbourThe United Nations Human Rights Council has begun its
second regular session in Geneva by once again calling for
international peacekeepers to go to Sudan's war-torn Darfur region.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour Monday
criticized the Khartoum-based government and Sudanese rebels for
failing to protect civilians in the region.

In her opening remarks, Arbour complained that no progress is being
made in holding anyone accountable for increased violence and sexual
crimes against the populace.

Arbour also cautioned that the International Criminal Court would
prosecute those responsible for violations of international
humanitarian law.

Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has repeatedly rejected a
U.N. resolution to replace the current African Union force with a UN
peacekeeping force. Mr. Al-Bashir has compared international
peacekeepers to a foreign occupation.

The A.U.'s mandate is scheduled to end at the end of the month.

More than three years of fighting in the region has displaced two
million people and killed about 200,000 others.

 


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