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UN rights body to discuss Darfur UN rights body to discuss Darfur
(about 5 hours later)
The UN Human Rights Council is to hold an emergency session on the ongoing conflict in Sudan's region of Darfur.The UN Human Rights Council is to hold an emergency session on the ongoing conflict in Sudan's region of Darfur.
Tuesday's meeting in Geneva comes amid concerns that the conflict may be spreading into neighbouring Chad.Tuesday's meeting in Geneva comes amid concerns that the conflict may be spreading into neighbouring Chad.
The world's top human rights body has remained silent on Darfur, and is now under huge pressure to take a stand on the issue, correspondents say.The world's top human rights body has remained silent on Darfur, and is now under huge pressure to take a stand on the issue, correspondents say.
About 200,000 people have been killed in Darfur since 2003, when rebels took up arms against the government. About 200,000 people have died in Darfur since 2003, when rebels took up arms against the government.
Since then, an estimated two million people, mostly black Africans whose villages have been attacked by the Arab Janjaweed, have fled their homes.Since then, an estimated two million people, mostly black Africans whose villages have been attacked by the Arab Janjaweed, have fled their homes.
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.
Khartoum denies accusations that it is backing the militias to put down the uprising.Khartoum denies accusations that it is backing the militias to put down the uprising.
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.
'Horror''Horror'
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.
Quick guide: Darfur Q&A: Peacekeeping in DarfurQuick guide: Darfur Q&A: Peacekeeping in Darfur
"How can an international community which claims to uphold human rights allow this horror to continue?" UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said last week."How can an international community which claims to uphold human rights allow this horror to continue?" UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said last week.
Despite Mr Annan's calls, African countries have consistently resisted any action which appears critical of the Sudanese government.Despite Mr Annan's calls, 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.