EU calls for Sudanese genocide probe

EU foreign ministers called for a UN investigation into whether atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur region constitute genocide, highlighting growing impatience with the Sudanese government for failing to end the conflict.

British foreign secretary Jack Straw said today the 25 EU foreign ministers agreed to call on UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to “establish a commission of inquiry into all alleged human rights abuses, including allegations of genocide.”

The European Union was expected to approve a draft statement advocating sanctions if Sudan does not comply.

Mr Straw refused to call the atrocities in Darfur genocide but said an investigation was urgently needed.

“Some people call it genocide, some people call it ethnic cleansing, some people call it civil war, some people call it none of the above,” he said in Brussels. “Whatever it is, it’s a desperate situation which requires the urgent attention of the world.”

His German counterpart, Joschka Fischer, called it “a humanitarian catastrophe with genocidal potential.”

So far, the EU Union has been hesitant to back Washington’s claims that the crisis can be considered genocide.

Sudan’s foreign minister criticised US Secretary of State Colin Powell for saying ethnic violence in western Sudan amounted to genocide. He accused the United States of trying to divert attention from fighting in Iraq ahead of the presidential election.

Arab militias called Janjaweed are blamed for widespread violence in Darfur that has killed some 30,000 people and forced more than 1.2 million to flee their homes, creating what the United Nations has called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

In the draft statement to be approved later Monday, the EU ministers will advocate sanctions against Sudan if it does not comply with the United Nations.

“Sudan will need to understand that the prospect (of sanctions) will come much closer, turn into a reality, unless we see ... cooperation by them on this crucial issue of law and order and safety in Darfur,” Mr Straw said.