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UN body to probe abuses in Darfur UN body to probe abuses in Darfur
(about 1 hour later)
The UN Human Rights Council has agreed to send a team to investigate abuses in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region.The UN Human Rights Council has agreed to send a team to investigate abuses in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region.
The world's top human rights body, which was set up this year, has been heavily criticised for its reticence on the Darfur issue. But the world's top human rights body refrained from criticising Sudan's government over the violence.
The decision was made during the second day of an emergency session in Geneva on Sudan. Sudan has been blamed for multiple killings, rapes and destruction of villages, but says it is being unfairly targeted by Western governments.
An estimated 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.
More than 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 pro-government Arab Janjaweed militias, have fled their homes.
Controversial
The 47-member council, which was set up this year, has been heavily criticised for its reticence on the Darfur issue.
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
On Tuesday, the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the 47-member council to send a team to investigate abuses in Darfur. The decision was taken during the second day of an emergency session in Geneva on Darfur.
"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. The BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva says the original resolution, which was proposed by the European Union and was very critical of the Sudanese government's role in the conflict, has been watered down.
But after lengthy talks, the council eventually agreed to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's call for them to send investigators to Darfur.
Our correspondent says the high-level five-member team will begin work into the causes and perpetrators of the violence as soon as possible.
The investigators are yet to be named and will be chosen by the council president in consultation with council members and the government of Sudan.
"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 on Tuesday.
"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.
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.
The human rights council cannot force Sudan to accept UN peacekeeping troops.The human rights council cannot force Sudan to accept UN peacekeeping troops.
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.