By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - The UN human rights office on Tuesday urged the extension of the arms embargo in Sudan, saying the even selective embargo on Darfur is "not viable."
“This is why we are renewing our call to everyone who has any involvement now. These states may have been providing weapons, but also states that may have involvement through the supply chain, as well as the provision of weapons to both parties to the conflict, they need to be reminded of their obligations," spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told a UN briefing in Geneva, responding to Anadolu's question.
Shamdasani said that UN High Commissioner Volker Turk has repeatedly called on all states, who have any involvement or influence over parties to the conflict, to use that influence to bring this conflict to an end and to bring peace in Sudan.
"Not only do the parties to the conflict need to ensure that civilians are not harmed in these circumstances, but those who are providing arms, who are carrying out arms transfers, also need to be reminded that they have an obligation to ensure that such arms are not used in violation of international humanitarian law," she said.
Referring to the recently released Sudan report on entrenched impunity fueling violations, she said: "We have documented many violations that could have been considered war crimes."
To Anadolu’s question about humanitarian assistance, Li Fung, the head of the UN Human Rights Office in Sudan, said: “In relation to the increasing hostilities, indeed, this very firm and dynamic security situation is a challenge to human rights protection and to the engagement of the UN in providing humanitarian assistance."