Sir, Mick Hume is right to draw attention to the difficulties and risks facing peacekeepers in Darfur, as well as to the long-term political challenges in Sudan (Thunderer, Sept 18).
As we describe in a report issued this week, the situation in Darfur has evolved from an armed conflict between rebels and the Government into a violent scramble for power and resources involving government forces, Janjawid militia, rebels and former rebels, and bandits.
But these complexities should not deflect attention from Khartoum’s responsibility for indiscriminate aerial and ground attacks, complicity in Janjawid attacks against civilians, failure to hold rights abusers accountable, and its unwillingness to establish a policing force that can protect civilians.
Protesters seeking to put the spotlight on Darfur at rallies in London and elsewhere last weekend are not, as Mr Hume says, “pro-interventionists” calling for an Iraq-style Western military intervention.
What Human Rights Watch and others are seeking is a strong international commitment to end widespread human rights abuses and ensure the swift deployment of a UN-mandated force capable of providing some measure of protection to Darfur’s civilian population.
Tom Porteous
London Director
Human Rights Watch
