TEAR Fund Reproaches UN Resolution

TEAR Fund New Zealand
For immediate release: 02/08/04

TEAR Fund reproaches UN resolution

TEAR Fund New Zealand has welcomed the United Nations resolution on Darfur, however is concerned it fails to address ongoing humans rights abuses.

On Friday the UN Security Council passed a resolution, demanding the Sudanese government take action within 30 days to disarm Arab militias known as Janjaweed.

The resolution also seeks to augment African Union monitors and warns punitive measures could be taken if the Khartoum government fails to comply.

However, no sanctions are specified and even the word 'sanction' was removed from the UN measure. There are no immediate plans to deploy a peace keeping contingent.

"While we are pleased the UN has passed a resolution on Sudan, we urge the Security Council to take immediate and effective measures. Black Sudanese continue to be raped, killed and driven from their homes," says TEAR Fund Executive Director Stephen Tollestrup.

At least 30,000 people have been killed in the Darfur region since February 2003, when pro-Khartoum, Arab militia initiated attacks against black Africans.

A further 1.2 million have been displaced by the conflict, 200,000 of whom have fled to neighboring Chad.

TEAR Fund is working through its Global Alliance Relief and Development partnership to respond to the needs of Sudanese refugees.

ENDS

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