UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council is pressing Sudan to allow a full investigation of reports of a mass rape of 200 women in Sudan’s Darfur region.
Wednesday’s statement comes amid concern that Sudanese authorities intimidated villagers.
The joint U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur has said an initial investigation turned up no evidence of a mass rape in Tabit late last month, but the U.N. special representative on sexual violence in conflict has said a heavy military presence during the visit could have affected its findings.
The Security Council wants Sudan to allow “the full and unrestricted freedom of movement without delay throughout Darfur” for an investigation and to ensure accountability if the reports are true.
The special representative, Zainab Bangura, says she has never been allowed to visit Darfur.