A/HRC/9/13 page 14 51. Beyond direct violations committed by the conflicting parties, Darfurians are also suffering from an overall increase in insecurity and the resultant shrinking of humanitarian space. Comparing the statistics for the beginning of 2008 with the same period in 2007, killings of humanitarians have risen from one in that period in 2007 to eight in 2008; armed assaults on humanitarian premises have gone up from 23 to 51; and abductions of humanitarians has leapt from 45 to 103. 52. The most illustrative example of increasing insecurity and its impact on humanitarian space is perhaps the increasing prevalence of carjackings in Darfur. According to United Nations figures, in the first six months of 2008 alone 135 vehicles belonging to humanitarian agencies and NGOs were lost as the result of such incidents. This is almost the same number as the total of 139 vehicles for the whole of 2007. As a direct result, for instance, since 1 May 2008 the World Food Programme has been forced to reduce the rations it gives out by almost half. While the Government cannot realistically be expected to prevent every single incident of carjacking, there are disturbing reports of extremely slow and ineffective responses by the concerned authorities. 53. One of the major obstacles to improving the human rights situation in Darfur remains the widespread absence of justice and accountability for violations and the impunity this promotes. This is clearly evident from the lack of follow-up to incidents such as the one in Tawilla, in which no investigation was carried out to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice. The prevalence and negative effects of impunity are demonstrated extremely well by looking at the issue of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and other grave violations which are prohibited by international law. 54. SGBV has been an ongoing part of the conflict in Darfur and remains widespread, despite several encouraging steps by the Government to address the issue. Conflict-related violence against women and girls includes rape, gang rape, attempted rape, serious assaults and beatings. Although there has been an increase in the reporting of SGBV, the majority of incidents of sexual violence remain unreported, mainly due to fear of the social stigma associated with rape. On several occasions victims chose not to file complaints because in most cases police cannot or will not take appropriate action against perpetrators (see the addendum to this report). V. TRANSITIONAL AREAS 55. Between 14 and 20 May 2008, ongoing political tensions in Abyei escalated into violent clashes and heavy fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), both supported by groups of armed civilians. The battle had severe repercussions on the civilian population of the town and surrounding areas. Large areas of the town were completely destroyed, burnt and looted. UNMIS estimates that 4,379 huts were burned during and following the fighting, while some 2,005 remained intact.11 According to humanitarian agencies an estimated 50,000 people were displaced from the area. Eyewitnesses and victims reported extremely serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. 11 Report of the Secretary-General on the Sudan, S/2008/485, para. 20.