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Amnesty accuses Sudan over arms China, Russia in 'weapons breach'
(about 5 hours later)
Amnesty International has accused Sudan of violating a UN arms embargo on Darfur and is "dismayed" at Russian and Chinese arms supplies to Khartoum. Amnesty International has accused China and Russia of continuing to supply arms to Sudan which are used in Darfur, breaching a UN arms embargo.
Amnesty's report backs UN findings leaked this month that Sudan is flying weapons into Darfur in breach of UN Security Council resolutions. A report by the watchdog says the weapons are landing in the hands of the government-backed Janjaweed militia.
Sudan denied those accusations, saying it was just moving materiel. It has not yet replied to the latest report. It includes photographic evidence of the Sudanese air force using military aircraft in Darfur.
The four-year conflict in Darfur has seen more than 200,000 deaths. But the Sudanese ambassador to the UN, Abdel Mahmood Abdel Haleem, said the allegations were a lie.
In its report, Amnesty called on the UN Security Council to strengthen the arms embargo on Darfur, which was extended in March 2005 to cover all parties. "Our reaction to the Amnesty International allegations is very easy - it is a total rejection as it is baseless and unfounded," he told the BBC.
"These photos maybe a plane in the Central African Republic or maybe for one in south Sudan, but it is not in Darfur at all. We are not on combat missions in Darfur at all," he added.
The four-year conflict in Darfur has seen more than 200,000 deaths, and the Janjaweed militia are accused of displacing and killing tens of thousands of people.
The Amnesty report backs UN findings leaked this month that Sudan is flying weapons into Darfur in breach of UN Security Council resolutions.
Sudan denied those accusations, saying it was just moving materiel.
Amnesty has also accused Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Belarus of supplying arms.
PhotographsPhotographs
Amnesty says Sudan is "continuing to divert and deploy imported attack and other military aircraft... as well as firearms and ammunition... to target civilians directly". In its report, the human rights group called on the UN Security Council to strengthen the arms embargo on Darfur, which was extended in March 2005 to cover all parties.
It says Sudan is "continuing to divert and deploy imported attack and other military aircraft... as well as firearms and ammunition... to target civilians directly".
The use of all-white aircraft and helicopters... in Darfur is in violation of applicable norms of international humanitarian law Amnesty International Sudan is "routinely failing to seek [UN] approval to move weapons... into Darfur", it says.The use of all-white aircraft and helicopters... in Darfur is in violation of applicable norms of international humanitarian law Amnesty International Sudan is "routinely failing to seek [UN] approval to move weapons... into Darfur", it says.
It provides photographs of an Mi-24 attack helicopter at Nyala in Darfur, saying its registration markings showed it was a replacement for another, the movement taking place between January and March this year. The report provides photographs of an Mi-24 attack helicopter at Nyala in Darfur and says its registration markings show it was a replacement for another.
Also between those months, Amnesty says Chinese Fanfan jets were seen at Nyala. The images were reportedly taken between January and March this year.
Amnesty also provides photos of an all-white, Russian-built Antonov 26 military plane, registration ST-ZZZ. Between those months, Amnesty says Chinese Fanfan jets were also seen at Nyala.
And Amnesty provides photos of an all-white, Russian-built Antonov 26 military plane, with the registration code ST-ZZZ.
It says it appears there are "three planes with this registration number" and links them to "unconfirmed bombing raids in Darfur".It says it appears there are "three planes with this registration number" and links them to "unconfirmed bombing raids in Darfur".
"The use of all-white aircraft and helicopters... in Darfur is in violation of applicable norms of international humanitarian law.""The use of all-white aircraft and helicopters... in Darfur is in violation of applicable norms of international humanitarian law."
Sudan denies using any white aircraft for military purposes, but says it has some white helicopters to transfer officials.Sudan denies using any white aircraft for military purposes, but says it has some white helicopters to transfer officials.
Amnesty says its report is based on eyewitness accounts from Darfur and "confidential sources".Amnesty says its report is based on eyewitness accounts from Darfur and "confidential sources".
'Lies''Lies'
The human rights group says Russia and China have transferred arms and ammunition to Sudan "aware that many such arms are being deployed... for direct attacks on civilians".The human rights group says Russia and China have transferred arms and ammunition to Sudan "aware that many such arms are being deployed... for direct attacks on civilians".
It cites 2005 trade figures as showing China sold $24m and Russia $21m of military materiel to Sudan.It cites 2005 trade figures as showing China sold $24m and Russia $21m of military materiel to Sudan.
Amnesty says it is "dismayed that certain governments, including two permanent Security Council members are allowing ongoing flows of arms to parties in Sudan".Amnesty says it is "dismayed that certain governments, including two permanent Security Council members are allowing ongoing flows of arms to parties in Sudan".
The organisation says it wants a list made of all items prohibited for transfer and for UN personnel to be stationed at all ports of entry in Sudan.The organisation says it wants a list made of all items prohibited for transfer and for UN personnel to be stationed at all ports of entry in Sudan.
Amnesty also wants all UN states to suspend the transfer of any arms and ammunitions likely to be used by the parties in Darfur.Amnesty also wants all UN states to suspend the transfer of any arms and ammunitions likely to be used by the parties in Darfur.
The UN report, a leaked copy of which reached the New York Times this month, said Sudan was painting aircraft white to make them look like UN planes.The UN report, a leaked copy of which reached the New York Times this month, said Sudan was painting aircraft white to make them look like UN planes.
Sudan's envoy to the UN, Abdel Mahmood Abdel Haleem, said the allegations were "a lie" and that military assets were simply being moved around the country. But Mr Haleem said that military assets were simply being moved around the country.
Mr Haleem told the BBC: "We are moving these military assets to their respective places. We are not using these aircraft for any military function in Darfur."Mr Haleem told the BBC: "We are moving these military assets to their respective places. We are not using these aircraft for any military function in Darfur."