Stefania Bianchi
27 July 2004
Brussels — The European Union is piling pressure on the Sudanese government to stop human rights abuses in the Darfur region or face sanctions.
European Union (EU) foreign ministers meeting in Brussels Monday (Jul. 26) urged the United Nations (UN) to pass a resolution threatening sanctions on Sudan if it fails to end the conflict in Darfur.
The UN Security Council is debating a U.S.-sponsored resolution to impose sanctions on the militias and their sponsors.
Sanctions could involve trade and economic pressure as well as travel restrictions and a toughening of an existing arms embargo.
Earlier this month, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan imposed a 90-day deadline on Sudan to rein in Arab militias, improve security and ensure that relief workers get access to the region.
The EU said in a statement: "There are continuing reports about massive human rights violations by the armed militia, including the Janjaweed, including systematic rape of women."
The bloc added that it "expects the government of the Sudan to ensure that these violations stop with immediate effect."
The 25 EU foreign ministers said they were dissatisfied that the Sudanese government has not implemented the other most urgent obligations it faces.
"There is no indication that the government of Sudan has taken real and provable steps to disarm and neutralise the armed militia, including the Janjaweed," they said in a statement Monday.
Given unsatisfactory cooperation by Khartoum, the EU warned that it may be forced to take more dramatic action.
"The Council of EU ministers appeals to the UN Security Council to pass a resolution with a view to taking further actions, including imposing sanctions, in case the government of Sudan does not immediately fulfil its obligations and commitments," they added.
Since the conflict in Darfur began in February 2003 there have been continuing reports about massive human rights violations by armed militia.
The UN has described the situation in Darfur as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.
Arab militia known as the Janjaweed are accused of killing thousands and forcing more than a million people from their homes.
The government in Khartoum is being pressed to disarm the Janjaweed and other militia. Many humanitarian agencies and governments accuse the Sudan government of supporting the militia against black African rebels.
But the Sudanese government has consistently denied accusations that it controls the Janjaweed.
EU foreign ministers agreed meanwhile also to send an extra 36.5 million dollars (30 million euros) to ease the humanitarian crisis in the area.
They also agreed to send a team to Darfur to assess what logistical and other support the bloc could provide for the African Union, the only independent military force currently working in the region.
Speaking after the foreign ministers' meeting, Dutch foreign minister Bernard Bot, whose country currently holds the presidency of the EU, said the Sudanese government was aware that sanctions are imminent if they do not comply with the obligations.
"We will monitor very carefully...every day, every week the progress in the field. In that way we can see at what moment further measures have to be taken," he told reporters after the talks.
The EU appears to be following in the steps of the United States which has already tabled a draft resolution at the UN demanding that Sudan disarm the Janjaweed or face sanctions.
Javier Solana, the EU foreign policy chief, said that although the situation in Darfur had improved slightly, the risk for a potential catastrophe remained "very high."
The EU is also drafting a list of Janjaweed leaders "responsible for breaches and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and those guiding and supporting them."
The bloc said it would press the Sudanese government "to arrest these persons or suspend them from office and bring them to justice."
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