Two months after resolving to impose sanctions for Darfur, U.N. Security Council members have failed to expedite the appointment of a sanctions panel to identify individuals responsible for violence in the western Sudanese region, Human Rights Watch said today.
On March 29, the U.N. Security Council authorized sanctions on individuals responsible for violating international law in Darfur; the penalties include asset freezes and travel restrictions. Under Resolution 1591, the U.N. secretary-general must appoint a panel of experts in consultation with a committee made up of all the members of the Security Council, all within 30 days from the date the resolution was passed.
Two months after the resolution, the matter remains pending in the Security Council committee, and no one has been appointed to the panel of experts. Human Rights Watch urged the fifteen-member committee to take immediate steps toward appointing the panel of experts. The entire Security Council should ensure that the panel receives the cooperation of the Sudanese government.
“U.N. sanctions on those responsible for the violence in Darfur would have some teeth if implemented,” said Peter Takirambudde, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “But after two months of foot-dragging, Security Council members still haven’t taken steps toward appointing a sanctions panel.”
Identifying wrongdoers in Darfur and subjecting them to penalties is key to ending abuses, Human Rights Watch said.
The Security Council resolution bars all non-state actors, including the rebel movements, from bringing arms into Darfur. In addition, it requires the Sudanese government to ask the U.N. panel for permission to ship any military equipment or supplies into the three states that comprise Darfur.
“Once the sanctions panel is appointed, the Security Council will need to maintain pressure on Sudan to provide the team with immediate access and full cooperation,” said Takirambudde.
During his trip to Darfur on May 28, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan visited burned-out villages and camps for the displaced, many of whom told him about how they still suffer from a lack of security in Darfur.
“Kofi Annan has made his second visit to Darfur. Why is the Security Council committee lagging behind in its work?” asked Takirambudde. “The committee needs to ensure that those responsible for atrocities and arms flows in Darfur are identified and sanctioned.”
Human Rights Watch called on the U.N. Security Council members of the committee to:
- Immediately establish a panel of experts pursuant to Resolution 1591; and
- Extend the mandate of the panel by as many months as necessary to compensate for delays in its establishment and access to Sudan.
