UN calls for “safe and unhindered access”

The UN General Assembly on Monday expressed concern at the impact of the conflict on human rights and the situation of the civilian population, especially women and children. It passed a resolution urging all parties to the conflict in Sudan “to grant safe and unhindered access to international agencies and humanitarian organisations” so that they could deliver assistance to civilians. It also called for the combatants to “respect and protect human rights, fundamental freedoms and international humanitarian law”. The US abstained, calling it a “flawed resolution” and alleging that Sudan had used “starvation as a tactic of war”, while Finland urged the parties to “stop immediately the use of weapons, including landmines, against the civilian population” and pressed the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), in particular, “to stop immediately using civilian premises for military purposes”.