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UN body 'must investigate' Darfur UN body 'must investigate' Darfur
(30 minutes later)
The UN Human Rights Council has been urged by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to send a team to investigate abuses in Sudan's Darfur region.The UN Human Rights Council has been urged by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to send a team to investigate abuses in Sudan's Darfur region.
His message to an emergency session in Geneva comes amid concern the conflict is spreading to neighbouring Chad.His message to an emergency session in Geneva comes amid concern the conflict is spreading to neighbouring Chad.
The world's top human rights body has remained silent on Darfur, and is now under huge pressure to take a stand.The world's top human rights body has remained silent on Darfur, and is now under huge pressure to take a stand.
About 200,000 people have died in Darfur since 2003, when rebels took up arms against the government. An estimated 200,000 people have died in Darfur since 2003, when rebels took up arms against the government.
An estimated two million people, mostly black Africans whose villages have been attacked by the Arab Janjaweed militias, have fled their homes. More than two million people, mostly black Africans whose villages have been attacked by the Arab Janjaweed militias, have fled their homes.
It is essential that this council send a clear and united message to warn all concerned Kofi AnnanUN Secretary-GeneralIt is essential that this council send a clear and united message to warn all concerned Kofi AnnanUN Secretary-General
"It is urgent that we take action to prevent further violations, including by bringing to account those responsible for the numerous crimes that have already been committed," Mr Annan said in a recorded message."It is urgent that we take action to prevent further violations, including by bringing to account those responsible for the numerous crimes that have already been committed," Mr Annan said in a recorded message.
"It is essential that this council send a clear and united message to warn all concerned, on behalf of the whole world, that the current situation is simply unacceptable and will not be allowed to continue," he said."It is essential that this council send a clear and united message to warn all concerned, on behalf of the whole world, that the current situation is simply unacceptable and will not be allowed to continue," he said.
RejectionRejection
The Sudanese government has rejected a UN Security Council resolution authorising the deployment of UN troops and police to Darfur.The Sudanese government has rejected a UN Security Council resolution authorising the deployment of UN troops and police to Darfur.
Quick guide: Darfur Q&A: Peacekeeping in DarfurQuick guide: Darfur Q&A: Peacekeeping in Darfur
Khartoum denies accusations that it is backing the militias to put down the uprising and says the scale of the crisis has been exaggerated. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said recently that only 9,000 had been killed during the Darfur conflict.Khartoum denies accusations that it is backing the militias to put down the uprising and says the scale of the crisis has been exaggerated. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said recently that only 9,000 had been killed during the Darfur conflict.
A small force of 7,000 African Union (AU) peacekeepers has struggled to protect civilians in the absence of a UN contingent.A small force of 7,000 African Union (AU) peacekeepers has struggled to protect civilians in the absence of a UN contingent.
Two AU peacekeepers were kidnapped in the North Darfur capital, El Fasher, on Saturday, the AU says.Two AU peacekeepers were kidnapped in the North Darfur capital, El Fasher, on Saturday, the AU says.
There have been fierce clashes between rebels and the Janjaweed in and around El Fasher in recent days.There have been fierce clashes between rebels and the Janjaweed in and around El Fasher in recent days.
In a separate incident, AU peacekeepers have killed at least two civilians during a protest outside their base in western Darfur.In a separate incident, AU peacekeepers have killed at least two civilians during a protest outside their base in western Darfur.
Public anger has been rising over the failure of the African Union to protect civilians.Public anger has been rising over the failure of the African Union to protect civilians.
Sudan has agreed to let the UN provide logistical support to a larger AU force, but refuses to allow UN forces into Darfur.Sudan has agreed to let the UN provide logistical support to a larger AU force, but refuses to allow UN forces into Darfur.
African alliesAfrican allies
The 47-strong council, which was set up this year, has been heavily criticised for its reticence on the Darfur issue.The 47-strong council, which was set up this year, has been heavily criticised for its reticence on the Darfur issue.
Despite Mr Annan's calls for action, African countries have consistently resisted any action which appears critical of the Sudanese government.Despite Mr Annan's calls for action, African countries have consistently resisted any action which appears critical of the Sudanese government.
Human rights groups hope that the emergency session will bring an end to the silence, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva reports.Human rights groups hope that the emergency session will bring an end to the silence, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva reports.
The council cannot force Sudan to accept UN peacekeeping troops, our correspondent says.The council cannot force Sudan to accept UN peacekeeping troops, our correspondent says.
But human rights groups say a resolution sending the UN's top human rights experts to Darfur to investigate would have moral authority.But human rights groups say a resolution sending the UN's top human rights experts to Darfur to investigate would have moral authority.
They also warn if the council fails to act, then that moral authority may be lost.They also warn if the council fails to act, then that moral authority may be lost.