A/HRC/4/80 page 2 Summary Mandated by Human Rights Council decision S-4/101 to assess the human rights situation in Darfur and the needs of the Sudan in this regard, members of the High-Level Mission on the situation of human rights in Darfur carried out their programme of work from 5 February to 5 March 2007 in Geneva, Addis Ababa, N’Djamena, Abeche and the refugee camps of Eastern Chad, meeting hundreds of relevant persons, reviewing thousands of pages of documents, assessing the human rights situation and corresponding needs, and preparing its report to the Human Rights Council. Having determined that the effective protection of civilians in Darfur was the central issue at hand, and that the most appropriate framework for addressing this question was the framework of international human rights and humanitarian law, the Mission decided to employ an analysis drawn from the responsibility to protect. Confirming that the Sudan has accepted the responsibility to protect, the Mission proceeds to an assessment of the situation in Darfur, noting the complex historical, economic, political and other causes of the conflict. With the emergence of armed rebellion in the region, and the recruitment by the Government of proxy militias to respond to the rebellion, civilians emerged as the primary targets and victims. Government forces often acted in concert with Janjaweed/militia, including in violations of human rights. Rebel movements also engaged in human rights abuses. Armed banditry and criminal activities have increased significantly. Numerous efforts by the international community have not been successful in ending the conflict. Rebel movements have become increasingly fragmented and abuses have continued. Even after the signing of the DPA, war continues and the human rights situation has further deteriorated. Today, millions are displaced, at least 200,000 are dead, and conflict and abuse are spilling over the border into Chad. Making matters worse, humanitarian space continues to shrink, and humanitarian and human rights actors are increasingly targeted. Killing of civilians remains widespread, including in large-scale attacks. Rape and sexual violence are widespread and systematic. Torture continues. Arbitrary arrest and detention are common, as is repression of political dissent, and arbitrary restrictions on political freedoms. Mechanisms of justice and accountability where they exist are under-resourced, politically compromised, and ineffective. The region is heavily armed, further undercutting the rule of law, and meaningful disarmament and demobilization of the Janjaweed, other militia and rebel movements is yet to occur. Darfur suffers from longstanding economic marginalization and underdevelopment, and the conflict has resulted in further impoverishment. As violations and abuses continue unabated, a climate of impunity prevails. For its part, the international community, acting through the United Nations and the African Union, has intervened with diplomatic, humanitarian, human rights and development assistance, but the vast majority of its recommendations remain unimplemented by the Government, and effective protection for civilians is yet to be secured. Critical needs for