In a briefing sent ahead of the UN Security Council debate on Darfur, Amnesty International today urged Council members to ensure the UN mission to Darfur has the resources needed to fulfil its mandate.

Amnesty International’s Deputy Africa Programme Director Tawanda Hondora said:
“Issuing a resolution to get a UN mission on Darfur is not enough.

“The UN Security Council is responsible for ensuring the mission has the vital resources and room for manoeuvre to protect people from ill-treatment, sexual abuse and killings.”

Amnesty International details items within its briefing that are needed by the UN African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) to carry out their tasks. These include helicopters, personnel and land transport as basic tools.

Amnesty International also urged the Sudanese authorities to facilitate the work of the UN force by not delaying the issuing of visas and vital equipment at customs.

Even without being fully resourced, Amnesty International stressed that UNAMID should still be able to act now to protect civilians on the ground by constant patrolling around camps, patrolling along roads and providing outreach to the local population, displaced and others, non-Arabs and Arabs.

Tawanda Hondora continued:
“Both the Security Council and the Sudanese government have a responsibility and role to play in ensuring that this UN mission is effective in protecting the people at risk in Darfur.”