18th February, 2005

The last two years in Darfur, Sudan, have been “little short of hell on earth” for those living there, according to the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

Mr Annan joined UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, as she presented the findings of the latest report on the situation in Darfur to the UN Security Council in New York this week.

The report concluded that while the Sudanese Government had not pursued a policy of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity had been perpetrated by both the government and the Janjaweed militia. It also found that murder, torture, disappearances, rape and the destruction of villages and forced displacement of people continued to occur in Darfur.

Calling the report “one of the most important documents in the recent history of the United Nations”, Mr Annan called on the council to act urgently to stop further death and suffering in Darfur.

“The report demonstrates beyond all doubt that the last two years have been little short of hell of earth for our fellow human beings in Darfur.”

Mr Annan said the full range of options - including targeted sanctions and beefed-up peacekeeping efforts - should now be “on the table”.

- DAVID ADAMS