A/HRC/4/80 page 25 consultations and the findings of an updated United Nations World Bank Joint Assessment, could form the basis of a meaningful programme of assistance directed to addressing the human rights needs of Darfur. VII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS A. Conclusions 76. The High-Level Mission concludes that the situation of human rights in Darfur remains grave, and the corresponding needs profound. The situation is characterized by gross and systematic violations of human rights and grave breaches of international humanitarian law. War crimes and crimes against humanity continue across the region. The principal pattern is one of a violent counterinsurgency campaign waged by the Government of the Sudan in concert with Janjaweed/militia, and targeting mostly civilians. Rebel forces are also guilty of serious abuses of human rights and violations of humanitarian law. All parties to the conflict must recognize that applicable human rights and humanitarian law standards must be respected during internal armed conflict and that the “fog of war” is not an acceptable justification for violating these standards. While important steps have been taken by the international community, including the African Union and the United Nations, these have been largely resisted and obstructed, and have proven inadequate and ineffective. The needs identified by the Mission include immediate, effective protection of civilians, renewed progress toward peace, expanded humanitarian space, increased accountability for perpetrators, action to address root causes, meaningful compensation and redress for victims, and concerted efforts to implement the many existing recommendations of authoritative international human rights bodies. The Mission further concludes that the Government of the Sudan has manifestly failed to protect the population of Darfur from largescale international crimes, and has itself orchestrated and participated in these crimes. As such, the solemn obligation of the international community to exercise its responsibility to protect has become evident and urgent. B. Recommendations 1. Recommendations to the Human Rights Council 77. (a) The Human Rights Council should remain seized of the situation in Darfur, regret the Government’s manifest failure in its responsibility to protect civilians, condemn the continuing violations, and call for effective protection for civilians, accountability for perpetrators (including through action by the ICC) and compensation and redress for victims. (b) The Human Rights Council should establish a dedicated procedure or mechanism to monitor the situation of human rights in Darfur, to measure the degree of implementation of outstanding recommendations by relevant United Nations human rights mechanisms and reports (including the special procedures, the treaty bodies, the Commission of Inquiry report, the reports of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other relevant recommendations) and to report regularly to the Council. The mechanism should work in close cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, whose mandate should be extended as required.