Fifth Session of the Human Rights Council

Situation of Human Rights in Darfur
Statement delivered by Doug Rohn
U.S. Delegation Advisor

Geneva,
June 13, 2007

Thank you, Mr. President.

This Council, now at the end of its first year, has yet to adequately address the on-going human rights violations in Sudan. 

The targeting of women and children in particular remains an issue of grave concern.  The International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur concluded in its January 2005 report to the Secretary General that "rape or other forms of sexual violence committed by the janjaweed and government soldiers in Darfur was widespread and systematic."  In April 2007, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reported “widespread sexual violence during attacks by Sudanese Government forces and allied militia last December…” 

The United States has imposed new economic sanctions to increase pressure on the Government of Sudan to end the violence in Darfur and cooperate with the international community on a peaceful resolution to the crisis.  Sanctions underscore continued U.S. efforts to end the suffering of the millions of Sudanese affected by the crisis. We would welcome steps by other countries to urge the government of Sudan to meet its obligations to its people.

At the Security Council, the United States is consulting on a draft resolution to widen the scope of existing UN sanctions against the Government of Sudan.  Such a resolution would also expand the UN’s existing arms embargo against the Government of Sudan and ban military flights over Darfur. 

We call on the Government of Sudan to immediately disarm the janjaweed, demonstrate Sudanese commitment to renewed peace negotiations, to cease aerial bombardment, and to fully comply with the March 28 Joint Communique. The Sudanese government must also stop obstruction and allow peacekeepers and humanitarian workers unfettered access to IDP camps.  We also call on all groups to honor the ceasefire and stop all acts of violence.

Thank you.