Press briefing notesOffice of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Press briefing notes: Attack on UN convoy in Darfur
17 October 2012
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Acting Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Ravina Shamdasani Location: Geneva Date: 17 october 2012
We strongly condemn Wednesday’s armed attack in North Darfur on a UN convoy comprised of military, police and civilian staff, including two human rights officers. The convoy of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) was en route to the village of Hashaba, in the north-east of Kutum district, to investigate reports that at least 70 civilians had been killed in the village last month.
One South African peacekeeper was, sadly, killed when the convoy came under automatic and mortar fire, and three others were injured.
The attack brings to five the number of peacekeepers killed this month in Darfur. Forty-three peacekeepers have been killed since the establishment of UNAMID in December 2007.
We remind the Government of the Sudan that it is responsible for the protection of mission staff as they fulfil their mandate to protect civilians and monitor human rights violations. The Government must promptly launch a serious investigation with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice. There is an urgent need to end the climate of impunity in Darfur, which encourages such attacks.
We also offer our condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper.
ENDS
For more information or media requests, please contact Ravina Shamdasani (+ 41 22 917 9310 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org).
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