A UN-appointed commission accused the Sudanese government on Monday of gross, systematic human rights violations in Darfur, but stopped short of labelling the violence in the region as genocide.

The "crucial element of genocidal intent appears to be missing," said the commission's report, which recommended that the rights abuses be dealt with by the International Criminal Court (ICC) based in The Hague -- a move opposed by the United States.

The five-member commission, appointed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in October, stressed that the absence of a genocidal policy "should not be taken in any way as detracting from the gravity of the crimes perpetrated."