U.N. warning over Darfur violence

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) -- The U.N. envoy for prevention of genocide has warned that violence is increasing in the war-torn region of Darfur and criticized the Sudanese national courts for doing little to try suspects accused of atrocities.

"The situation in Darfur now is disturbing, violence is spreading, and the displaced don't trust the Sudanese police or the Sudanese judiciary system," Juan Mendez told reporters Monday after his second assessment visit to Darfur. His first visit was a year ago.

Mendez also lashed out at the Sudanese national courts for not doing enough to punish those suspected of involvement in the violence in Darfur. He urged Sudan to cooperate with the international court.

"It's in the interest of the Sudanese government to cooperate with the International Criminal Court, by allowing its international interrogators to have access to the country and to have access to documents," he said.

Sudan has refused to turn over any Darfur suspects to the ICC despite U.N. demands.

Darfur's crisis erupted when rebels took up arms against what they saw as years of state neglect and discrimination against Sudanese of African origin. The government is accused of responding with a counterinsurgency campaign in which the ethnic Arab militia, known as Janjaweed, committed wide-scale abuses against ethnic Africans.

Government troops and some rebels have also committed abuses, according to rights groups.