Human Rights Watch calls on the African Union High-Level Panel on Darfur to recommend that any peace agreement in Darfur addresses protection of civilians and the realization of human rights in Darfur, as well as real accountability for past crimes. However these issues should not wait for the signature of a peace agreement; the Panel should press the Sudan government and all parties to the conflict to urgently ensure both security and justice for the people of Darfur today.

In advance of their summit in Libya, Human Rights Watch writes to AU Heads of State to ask them to address a few of Africa's most pressing human rights concerns - security in Somalia, accountability for crimes in Chad, and support for the International Criminal Court.

Human Rights Watch urges Security Council ambassadors to use the open debate on June 26 to discuss ways in which the United Nations Security Council can more effectively ensure the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

On June 16, 2009 the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Sudan, Dr. Sima Samar, will present her report to the Human Rights Council following her most recent visit to Sudan from May 25 to June 5, 2009. We strongly urge the Council to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur as the human rights crisis in Sudan continues and may escalate in the run-up to national elections slated for early 2010. 

Human Rights Watch writes to the Presidency of the Sudanese Government of National Unity to urge them to take immediate action to prevent a recurrence of clashes in Malakal and ensure accountability for human rights violations that occurred there in February 2009.

Human Rights Watch writes to the UN Security Council in advance of their visit to Africa to highlight key human rights concerns relevant to the Great Lakes region, Liberia, and in meetings with the African Union, with suggested action points.

Human Rights Watch writes to President-elect Jacob Zuma to urge him to make human rights a major pillar of the new South African administration's foreign policy.

We write to you with regard to the grave and urgent situation in Darfur following the Sudanese government's decision to expel 13 international aid organizations providing food, water, and medical care to over one million people. We urge the African Union and the Arab League to take every opportunity to work toward reversal of this decision, which is endangering so many lives.