UN Backpedals on Sudan Ethnic Cleansing 

April, 23 2004 
UN Watch
http://www.unwatch.org/speeches/UN_Backpedals_on_Sudan_Ethnic_Cleansing.html http://www.unwatch.org/speeches/UN_Backpedals_on_Sudan_Ethnic_Cleansing.html 
UN Watch, a Geneva-based NGO, condemned today’s backpedaling by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on an  E.U.-sponsored resolution meant to condemn ethnic cleansing by government-backed Arab militias in Sudan’s western Darfur region.  By substituting a sanitized text instead, “the Commission concluded its 2004 session today by showing that, ten years after the Rwandan genocide, the UN is still incapable of confronting ethnic cleansing,” said Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch.  “The Commission was unable even to call it by its name.” 
Reports indicate that the Sudanese government is teaming up with Arab Muslim militias in a campaign of ethnic slaughter and deportation that has already left nearly a million Africans displaced and more than 30,000 dead.  The original resolution condemning these atrocities was withdrawn today after negotiations between the E.U. and the UN’s African group.
The substitute text, approved by 50 of 53 Commission members, excised references to concern about “systematic attacks on civilians, targeting of villages and centers for internally displaced persons” and to “removal by force of communities from their villages.”  Gone also were the references to “widespread recourse to rape and other forms of sexual violence, including against children, as a means of warfare.”
While the original draft would have immediately appointed a Special Rapporteur on Sudanese violations, the approved text instead invited the Commission Chairman to appoint an “independent expert”, a position wielding less authority.
The United States forcefully opposed the Commission’s about face, unsuccessfully seeking to reinsert the deleted references to ethnic cleansing.  “Ten years from now, people will ask, ‘Where were you, and what did you do?’” said U.S. Ambassador Rich Williamson.  The replacement text was approved, 50 in favor, 1 against (U.S.), and 2 abstentions (Australia, Ukraine).
The United States then tried to call a vote on the entire original resolution.  That was blocked, however, when Congo brought a procedural motion to close all debate, which passed 27 in favor, 7 against (Australia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru and the USA), and 19 abstentions (EU, Argentina, Armenia, Brazil, Chile, Hungary, Mexico, Rep. of Korea, Ukraine).
“The current bloodbath in Western Sudan requires decisive action by the United Nations, both in the humanitarian and political spheres,” said Neuer. “Regrettably, the strongest action taken by the Commission today was masking of the true nature of Sudan's crimes against humanity.