[Mb-civic] Khartoum 'behind Darfur killings' BBC

[Michael Butler]

 Khartoum 'behind Darfur killings'
 The United Nations investigator on executions has blamed Sudan's government
for extra-judicial killings in the western region of Darfur.

 "The government of the Sudan is responsible for... summary executions of
large numbers of people," Asma Jahangir said in a report.

 The UN investigator on executions said the killings amounted to crimes
against humanity.

 She added that "millions of civilians" caught up in the crisis were at
risk.

 Khartoum has denied supporting the Janjaweed rebels which is blamed for
much of the violence.

 For several weeks, it has been trying to absorb Janjaweed elements into the
paramilitary Popular Defence Force, and into its police force.

 Government 'involved'

 Ms Jahangir, a Pakistani human rights lawyer, said many of the atrocities
were carried out by the Popular Defence Force, which is under the formal
command of the Sudanese army.

 DARFUR CONFLICT
 1m displaced
 Up to 50,000 killed
 More at risk from disease and starvation
 Arab militias accused of ethnic cleansing
 Sudan blames rebels for starting conflict

 

 She said it was frequently impossible to distinguish between the army, the
Popular Defence Force and the Janjaweed militia which has been widely blamed
for massacres.

 The report says the Sudanese government appears oblivious to the
humanitarian crisis in Darfur and described the persistent denial of the
disaster by most government officials as "shocking".

 "Such a reaction despite the huge international outcry would appear to
indicate either complete disrespect for the right to life of the population
of Darfur, or, at worst, complicity in the events," she wrote.

 UN deal 

 The UN report came after Sudan and the UN concluded a plan to tackle the
crisis.

 The programme has been approved by the Sudanese cabinet, after an ultimatum
to the government from the UN Security Council to improve security in Darfur
or face the threat of sanctions.

 It includes steps to improve security and disarm the Janjaweed militias
militia whose attacks on the civilian population have driven more than a
million people from their homes.

 The Governor of North Darfur, Osman Yusuf Kibir, has said that more than
200 members of a group fighting the Sudanese government in Darfur, have
surrendered - although this has been denied by the Jem rebels.

 The US has approved $30m in emergency food aid for Darfur, where more than
two million people are expected to need emergency food supplies by October.
 Story from BBC NEWS:
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/3544274.stm

 Published: 2004/08/07 14:09:22 GMT

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