U.N.: Human Rights Council Resolution a Lukewarm Response to Deepening Crisis in Darfur

2006-12-13

Amnesty International today noted that the Human Rights Council’s decision to send a group of 'highly qualified persons' on a fact finding mission to Sudan offers some hope that the Sudanese Government will be held to account for its failure to protect the people of Darfur.

However, Amnesty International also condemned the resolution's timidity in failing to recognise the complicity of the Sudanese Government in the serious and systematic human rights violations taking place in Darfur.

"The assessment mission established by the Human Rights Council must put an end to the shameless lies and denial of responsibility of the Government of Sudan for the situation in Darfur. We expect this mission to enable the Human Rights Council to hold the Sudanese Government to account for its abject failure to protect Darfur's 'African' population", said Kolawole Olaniyan, Director of the Africa programme at Amnesty International.

Further information :
Crisis in Darfur web pages http://web.amnesty.org/pages/sdn-index-eng

Amnesty International
http://news.amnesty.org

Please also see:

Darfur civilians burned alive after horsemen attack aid truck
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1969001,00.html
Darfur: UN Rights Council holds special session; Annan calls for end to nightmare
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20941&Cr=Sudan&Cr1=Darfur
UN, Sudan and African Union to meet to discuss strengthening support in Darfur
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20957&Cr=sudan&Cr1=