Delegation Presses U.N. Official on Sudan Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C., OCT. 28, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The world community should step up its pressure on Sudan to bring an end to the Darfur crisis, a delegation of religious and human rights leaders told U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

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Rockville Centre Bishop William Murphy joined Nobel Peace laureate Elie Wiesel and other leaders Wednesday in calling for a clear U.N. mandate for the African Union to protect innocent civilians, and for other financial and logistical support from the international community.

Bishop Murphy is a member of the U.S. bishops’ International Policy Committee. He was delegated by Bishop John Ricard, committee chairman, to represent the episcopal conference at the meeting.

Bishop Murphy later released a statement by Bishop Ricard, who was unable to attend the meeting.

The statement said in part: «We call upon the international community to increase its pressure on the government in Khartoum to insure the following: saving innocent lives; allowing people to return home eventually in peace and security; protecting those languishing in camps for the internally displaced and those involved in the delivery of humanitarian relief; respecting ceasefire agreements and seeking a negotiated settlement between the government and the rebel groups; and holding responsible those who perpetrated atrocities and crimes against humanity.»

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ZENIT Staff

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