UN sounds Darfur warning

Published on 28/01/2006 02:36

KILLINGS, rapes and indiscriminate attacks are still forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes in Darfur, the United Nations said yesterday.

A 42-page report said those carrying out the violence included soldiers who fired at civilians from helicopter gunships.

The report criticised the government of coup leader Omar el-Bashir, saying promises to end centuries of discrimination and marginalisation of black African minorities were marked by "token gestures" while murder and torture went unpunished.

There has been growing pressure for stronger sanctions to be imposed by the UN Security Council, to be chaired from February by the United States, which accuses Sudan's government of genocide.