GENEVA, April 23: The United Nations' top human rights forum on Friday adopted a softly worded text on atrocities allegedly committed in Sudan's Darfur region and refused to vote on a US demand for stronger action.

But the United States demanded a special session of the Commission on Human Rights upon the return of a UN team from Sudan, where it is investigating charges of attacks by Sudanese troops and Arab militias on black African civilians, in what could constitute war crimes.

Fifty member states approved the mildly-worded document drawn up as a compromise between the European Union and a bloc of African nations. Washington rejected the text, and there were two abstentions.

Frustrated by the decision, the US delegation head Richard Williamson said a second vote be taken on an original, stronger draft resolution proposed earlier by the European Union and co-sponsored by the United States. -AFP

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...