Suppressing the Truth in Darfur?

Thursday, April 29, 2004; Page A24
Regarding the April 26 editorial ". . . And in Geneva":
The report of our fact-finding team into the human rights situation in Darfur has certainly not been "suppressed." We will issue a full report, covering the testimonies collected in the refugee camps in Chad and from inquiries in Darfur, when the team comes back from Sudan next week.
Bertrand Ramcharan, the acting U.N. high commissioner on human rights, set up the team in response to many reports of serious human rights violations. He asked the Sudanese authorities for unhindered access to Darfur, an essential element of a credible investigation. When that was finally granted, it was our responsibility to make a thorough effort to go to the places from which this disturbing information is originating. Our presence in Darfur may provide a measure of protection to people at risk, protection that would have been unavailable if we had issued the report and provided a rationale for the denial of access.
On another question of fact: The "weakened resolution" on Sudan that the Commission on Human Rights ultimately approved -- a text negotiated by European Union and African countries -- had been on the table for days before our team gained access to Darfur. It was not the result of that development, as the editorial said.
Finally, the commission's decision provides for the appointment of an investigator on Sudan, who will report on the situation in Darfur.
JOSE LUIS DIAZ
Spokesperson
Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights
United Nations
Geneva