EU welcomes Security Council resolution on Darfur

The European Union (EU) has welcomed last week's adoption by the United Nations Security Council of a resolution that warns Sudan of punitive measures, including sanctions, if it failed to protect civilians in the strife-torn western region of Darfur. "The EU fully supports the appeal made by the Security Council on the government of Sudan to meet its obligations towards all Sudanese and the international community," said a declaration issued by the EU presidency in Brussels on Wednesday. "The European Union joins the Security Council in deploring the recent cease-fire violations and stresses the urgency of ending the climate of impunity in Darfur by bringing to justice those responsible, including members of the popular defence forces and Janjawid militia." The conflict in Darfur pits the Sudanese military and militias said to be allied to the government against rebels fighting to end alleged marginalisation and discrimination of Darfur residents by the state. The militias, locally known as Janjawid, have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians. The fighting, which erupted early last year, has displaced about 1.45 million people and sent another 200,000 fleeing across the border into Chad. The UN has described problems spawned by the fighting in Darfur as currently being the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. The Council resolution noted that despite progress made by the Sudanese government in lifting administrative obstructions to the delivery of humanitarian relief in Darfur, Khartoum had not fully met its obligations outlined in an earlier resolution calling on the government to improve security and protect civilians. The Council requested the UN Secretary-General to rapidly establish an international commission of inquiry, which would immediately investigate reports of human rights violations in Darfur, and determine whether acts of genocide had been committed. The US has described atrocities against civilians there as genocide. "The European Union attaches great importance to the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to immediately investigate all reports of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in Darfur by all parties, to determine whether acts of genocide have occurred and to identify the perpetrators of such violations with a view to having them brought to justice," said the EU statement. The EU said it would continue to support efforts by the African Union (AU) to end the conflict in Darfur. The pan-African body has sent 310 Nigerian and Rwandan troops to Darfur, mandated to protect 185 AU observers there. The AU is also involved with peace talks between the Sudanese government and the two rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement. "The European Union recognises the need for continued humanitarian assistance and will sustain its contributions in support of those affected by the conflict in Darfur," said the EU declaration. In a related development, Japan has said it would provide an additional US $15 million to fund UN efforts in Darfur. Canadian Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew also said on Wednesday that Ottawa would contribute $20 million to fund a strengthened AU mission in Darfur.