Government challenging criticism in UN; NGOs collaborate for peace.

European and African members of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) put proposals before the Council today on the next steps for the Sudan.

The Sudanese Media Centre reports Khartoum rejected the European proposals as “part of ... plotting against Sudan,” the Sudan is seeking a counter-proposal from members of the Organization of Islamic Conferences and defended states supporting the Sudan’s resistance to a ruling against it by the UNHRC, suggesting theirs is the ‘objective’ view.

The Europeans and Africans differ little in proposed action, but the African proposal celebrates the Government's commitment to human rights whilst the European accuses it of human rights abuses.

Last week's report to the Council (PDF file) also suggested Government involvement in atrocities and condemned restrictions on humanitarian aid. This was denied by Khartoum who stress the report’s authors never visited the Sudan (the authors say Khartoum refused visas).

The UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operation's Monday suggestion there is "a long way to go" before an international force is deployed undermines the report's claim Darfur's primary need is “a large, robust, broadly mandated, well-resourced UN/AU peacekeeping/protection force.”

This situation is a major test for the UNHRC, Khartoum having earlier this week withdrawn any further co-operation from the International Criminal Court following the Court’s accusation of war crimes against a Government minister.

Whilst international institutions falter, Non-Governmental Organisations within the Sudan, which has the world's largest humanitarian operation, are looking for ways to co-operate.

Peace Direct's CEO, Carolyn Hayman, returned last week from the third meeting of the Collaborative for Peace, which brough representatives of peace-building organisations from across the country (North and South) to Juba to share experiences and increase understanding. The lengthy North/South conflict (now overshadowed by the Darfur crisis) means most of those taking there had not visited the other part of the country for decades.

The NESI network works in a similar way, but in the South alone.