Sudanese authorities and international community should protect four million Sudanese displaced during the 21-year armed conflict who are expected to return to southern Sudan soon and thousands have already started doing so, UN envoy said on Thursday.

The lack of resources and infrastructure, the volatile security situation and the absence of solid state structures in the south pose serious threats to the human rights of returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), said Walter Kalin, representative of the UN Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons.

"The Sudanese authorities, the international community and the donors need to do much more to ensure the protection of the rights of these persons. Future problems can be avoided if all relevant actors work closely together and take the necessary steps now," Kalin who has been visiting Sudan, said in a statement.

Kalin undertook an official mission to Sudan from October 4 to 13, visiting Khartoum and several states in the south.

He called on all relevant actors to respect all rights of internally displaced persons, including the right to be fully informed and consulted about available options, and to freely choose whether they want to return, locally integrate or resettle elsewhere, as stated in the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.

He also called on authorities in Khartoum to reconsider plans to relocate camps and irregular settlements of internally displaced persons without offering them viable alternative accommodation as they may trigger involuntary returns.

The representative also cautioned that the promotion of premature return may cause serious humanitarian problems.

"Despite the peace, in many areas returnees fear for their safety due to militia activities, armed civilians and land mines. Some returnees are illegally taxed and looted during their long journeys. When they arrive, many remain without shelter, sufficient food, clean drinking water and access to medical services," Kalin said.

The representative highlighted the need to provide returnees with humanitarian assistance and protection right now and to release the necessary funds.

Sudan's new national unity cabinet was sworn in last month after a peace deal ended over two decades of conflict between the government in Khartoum and the mostly Christian and animist south, led by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

The conflict displaced some 4 million people, more than any other conflict in the world.

The accord provided for an autonomous south with its own army, national power and wealth sharing, religious freedom and a new constitution during a six-year interim period. Now, former southern rebels sit on the Cabinet and one is a vice president.

After those six years, the 10 southern states will hold a referendum on independence.

Source: Xinhua