Press release 12 December 2006
Ministry for Foreign Affairs

UN meeting on Darfur

Today, on 12 December, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva will be holding a special meeting on Darfur. The meeting will discuss the violations of human rights that are reported almost every day from Darfur. The Council meeting has been convened at the request of sixty-five countries. Sweden, together with the rest of the EU, has been one of the strongest drivers.

It is extremely important that the UN Human Rights Council responds unequivocally to the violations taking place in Darfur. The fact that the Council is discussing the situation in Darfur makes it clear that gross violations of human rights are the concern of everyone, no matter where they are committed.

These acts of aggression and violence in Darfur are serious crimes against international and humanitarian law and the human rights of Darfur's inhabitants. Crimes are committed both by the government-supported militia and other armed groups in the region. Like all governments, the government of Sudan is responsible for protecting its entire population from violence.

The EU wants the Human Rights Council to approve a decision to send an evaluation mission to Darfur. In connection with the meeting, Sweden, the Netherlands and a number of NGOs are organising a seminar to draw attention to the situation in Darfur.

The conflict in Darfur has been in progress since 2003. Up to now, over 200 000 people have been killed and over two million people have been forced to flee. Sexual violence, primarily against women and children, is systematically used to terrorise the civilian population.