By Daniel Schearf
The Chinese government is facing increasing calls for a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, in part because of Beijing's refusal to condemn the Sudanese government's actions in the war-torn Darfur region. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing.
Celebrities and politicians are adding their voices to calls for a boycott of the Beijing 2008 Olympics to push China to use its leverage on Khartoum.
Advocates of a boycott say China, as the largest buyer of Sudan's oil and a veto-wielding member of the United Nations Security Council, is in a unique position to pressure Sudan. But they say Beijing ignores violence by government-backed militias in Darfur to maintain access to Sudanese oil. Read more >>>
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Talking Darfur to Death
The world has been discussing the genocide in Darfur for more than three years. But some 200,000 deaths later, it has yet to take effective action to force the Sudanese government to stop sponsoring the mass murder, rape, torture and forcible evictions being carried out on its orders in the region.
Yesterday, the United Nations Human Rights Council at last expressed its deep concern over human rights violations in Darfur. That modest advance was made possible by the welcome willingness of several African countries to set aside their usual reluctance to talk about their continent’s human rights problems.
But in practical terms, it was only a baby step. Read more >>>
Yesterday, the United Nations Human Rights Council at last expressed its deep concern over human rights violations in Darfur. That modest advance was made possible by the welcome willingness of several African countries to set aside their usual reluctance to talk about their continent’s human rights problems.
But in practical terms, it was only a baby step. Read more >>>
Friday, March 30, 2007
Turn the screws on Sudanese leaders
President George W. Bush has been more outspoken than most world leaders in condemning the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. But declarations that aren't backed up by action won't save anybody.
Government backed militias have been rampaging through Darfur since 2003 in a calculated campaign of murder, rape, torture, looting and burning. Some 400,000 people have died, and more than 2.5 million have been driven from their homes.
Sudan's president is now balking at the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force to which he agreed last year. And the government is obstructing humanitarian aid efforts. Yet the United States still hasn't slapped sanctions on Sudan that it had vowed to impose by Jan. 1. And other countries, including in Europe, have been even more reluctant to punish Sudan's leaders. Read more >>>
Government backed militias have been rampaging through Darfur since 2003 in a calculated campaign of murder, rape, torture, looting and burning. Some 400,000 people have died, and more than 2.5 million have been driven from their homes.
Sudan's president is now balking at the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force to which he agreed last year. And the government is obstructing humanitarian aid efforts. Yet the United States still hasn't slapped sanctions on Sudan that it had vowed to impose by Jan. 1. And other countries, including in Europe, have been even more reluctant to punish Sudan's leaders. Read more >>>
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Enough is enough, says Darfur report
After years of indiscriminate slaughter, mass displacement and apparently intractable diplomatic standoff, it is an intriguing notion that anyone could have found anything approaching an answer to the catastrophic conflict in western Sudan.
The paper's author, Crisis Group Senior Adviser John Prendergast, concedes that no single initiative will resolve the tragedy. But he does assert that the policy choices outlined in the paper could stabilise Darfur "within a year". Read more >>>
The paper's author, Crisis Group Senior Adviser John Prendergast, concedes that no single initiative will resolve the tragedy. But he does assert that the policy choices outlined in the paper could stabilise Darfur "within a year". Read more >>>
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Darfur: Arrested Development -- 30,000 People Displaced in February
GENEVA, Mar. 28 /Standard Newswire/ -- 2007 has seen intensified fighting in Darfur. An additional 30,000 people were displaced in February alone, bringing the total number of people that have fled the ongoing violence since the beginning of the year to 80,000.(1) ACT-Caritas, with the support of PWS&D, continues to provide basic shelter, household items, clean water, latrines, primary health care and education to the displaced.
In January 2007, tired of the harassment, lack of security and poor conditions in general, several families from villages in the area of Abata managed to reach Zalingei camp where ACT-Caritas is working. ACT-Caritas provided blankets, wash basins, plates, soap and cooking sets as part of a coordinated inter-agency effort to assist the new arrivals. Charlotte Brudenell of ACT-Caritas journeyed to Abata to see what they left behind.
A sand track leads north from Zalingei to the village of Abata, but these days few people travel along it. Read more >>>
In January 2007, tired of the harassment, lack of security and poor conditions in general, several families from villages in the area of Abata managed to reach Zalingei camp where ACT-Caritas is working. ACT-Caritas provided blankets, wash basins, plates, soap and cooking sets as part of a coordinated inter-agency effort to assist the new arrivals. Charlotte Brudenell of ACT-Caritas journeyed to Abata to see what they left behind.
A sand track leads north from Zalingei to the village of Abata, but these days few people travel along it. Read more >>>
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Intolerable Darfur
Intolerable Darfur
Western leaders are again saying the slaughter is unacceptable. Will they again do nothing?
EUROPEAN UNION leaders spoke out strongly on Darfur at a summit in Berlin on Sunday. "The situation," said British Prime Minister Tony Blair, "is intolerable. . . . The actions of the Sudanese government are completely unacceptable." "The suffering is unbearable," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "I want to state frankly that we have to consider stronger sanctions."
It took less than 24 hours for the backing down to start. "You have to make sure that you do not raise expectations that cannot be met," an E.U. spokesman in Brussels told the Associated Press. Officials cited the usual obstacles: the resistance of U.N. Security Council member China to sanctions; the unwillingness of Arab and other Islamic governments to support steps against the regime of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir; the difficulty of military operations in an area the size of France. Read more >>>
Western leaders are again saying the slaughter is unacceptable. Will they again do nothing?
EUROPEAN UNION leaders spoke out strongly on Darfur at a summit in Berlin on Sunday. "The situation," said British Prime Minister Tony Blair, "is intolerable. . . . The actions of the Sudanese government are completely unacceptable." "The suffering is unbearable," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "I want to state frankly that we have to consider stronger sanctions."
It took less than 24 hours for the backing down to start. "You have to make sure that you do not raise expectations that cannot be met," an E.U. spokesman in Brussels told the Associated Press. Officials cited the usual obstacles: the resistance of U.N. Security Council member China to sanctions; the unwillingness of Arab and other Islamic governments to support steps against the regime of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir; the difficulty of military operations in an area the size of France. Read more >>>
Blair threatens force over Darfur
Tony Blair is pushing the United Nations to declare a no-fly zone over Darfur, enforced if necessary by the bombing of Sudanese military airfields used for raids on the province, the Guardian has learned.
The controversial initiative comes as a classified new report by a UN panel of experts alleges Sudan has violated UN resolutions by moving arms into Darfur, conducting overflights and disguising its military planes as UN humanitarian aircraft.
Mr Blair has been pushing for much tougher international action against Sudan since President Omar Hassan al-Bashir reneged earlier this month on last November's agreement to allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur to protect civilians. Read more >>>
The controversial initiative comes as a classified new report by a UN panel of experts alleges Sudan has violated UN resolutions by moving arms into Darfur, conducting overflights and disguising its military planes as UN humanitarian aircraft.
Mr Blair has been pushing for much tougher international action against Sudan since President Omar Hassan al-Bashir reneged earlier this month on last November's agreement to allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur to protect civilians. Read more >>>
Monday, March 26, 2007
Genocide games
In the summer of 2008, the world will turn its gaze to China and the Beijing Olympics. A growing number of activists want to make sure the shadow of Darfur, and China's complicity, are what the world remembers.
By Kevin Cullen
Sitting at the computer in the office of his Northampton home last month, Eric Reeves pushed the "send" button, intending to spread an idea -- a modest, but potentially powerful idea.
Reeves, a professor of literature at Smith College who has become one of the world's foremost experts on the humanitarian disaster in Darfur, has concluded that only China, as Sudan's biggest economic and diplomatic supporter and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, can stop the slaughter that President Bush has called genocide (as many as 400,000 people have been killed in the Darfur region of Sudan since 2003, and more than 3 million others may face a similar fate). And China, says Reeves, can only be pressured to act by appealing to its sense of national pride and honor -- forcing Beijing to choose between its lucrative relationship with Khartoum and having its coveted games lumped in the collective consciousness with Nazi Germany's hosting of the Berlin games in 1936. Read more >>>
By Kevin Cullen
Sitting at the computer in the office of his Northampton home last month, Eric Reeves pushed the "send" button, intending to spread an idea -- a modest, but potentially powerful idea.
Reeves, a professor of literature at Smith College who has become one of the world's foremost experts on the humanitarian disaster in Darfur, has concluded that only China, as Sudan's biggest economic and diplomatic supporter and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, can stop the slaughter that President Bush has called genocide (as many as 400,000 people have been killed in the Darfur region of Sudan since 2003, and more than 3 million others may face a similar fate). And China, says Reeves, can only be pressured to act by appealing to its sense of national pride and honor -- forcing Beijing to choose between its lucrative relationship with Khartoum and having its coveted games lumped in the collective consciousness with Nazi Germany's hosting of the Berlin games in 1936. Read more >>>
Sunday, March 25, 2007
A Real (Military) Solution To Darfur
(Weekly Standard) This column was written by Daniel Allott.
When will peace come to Darfur? After four years of genocide (the killings started in February 2003), that question has lost all but its rhetorical significance.
A glimmer of hope was provided recently when New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson helped negotiate a 60-day cease-fire with Sudan's murderous president, Omar al-Bashir. Bashir's promise proved empty, however, when, just days after the agreement was signed, government planes initiated a fresh aerial bombing campaign targeting rebel groups and innocent civilians in Northern Darfur.
A Consistent Pattern
A consistent pattern has emerged in the world's negotiations with the Sudanese government over Darfur. The West (i.e., the United Nations, with backing from the United States) pressures Sudan to reign in its genocidal militias and allow peacekeepers to enter Darfur, while threatening economic and military repercussions for noncompliance. Bashir dawdles, fearing prosecution for war crimes by the International Criminal Court and spouting derisory theories about "Jewish conspiracies" and Western plots to re-colonize his oil-rich nation.
Then, with a deadline looming, the Sudanese government relents and promises to behave. Hope is restored. But Khartoum promptly ignores its promises, instead ramping up attacks against rebel groups and innocent civilians. In response, the West feigns outrage, using stark language to describe deteriorating conditions and the heavy price of continued obstinacy. In the end, however, without the will to follow through on its threats, the West gives in, and the cycle begins anew.
The cycle of impunity in Darfur began nearly three years ago, when the U.N. Security Council adopted resolution 1556, giving Khartoum 30 days to disarm or face economic and military sanctions. The deadline passed quietly. Read more >>>
When will peace come to Darfur? After four years of genocide (the killings started in February 2003), that question has lost all but its rhetorical significance.
A glimmer of hope was provided recently when New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson helped negotiate a 60-day cease-fire with Sudan's murderous president, Omar al-Bashir. Bashir's promise proved empty, however, when, just days after the agreement was signed, government planes initiated a fresh aerial bombing campaign targeting rebel groups and innocent civilians in Northern Darfur.
A Consistent Pattern
A consistent pattern has emerged in the world's negotiations with the Sudanese government over Darfur. The West (i.e., the United Nations, with backing from the United States) pressures Sudan to reign in its genocidal militias and allow peacekeepers to enter Darfur, while threatening economic and military repercussions for noncompliance. Bashir dawdles, fearing prosecution for war crimes by the International Criminal Court and spouting derisory theories about "Jewish conspiracies" and Western plots to re-colonize his oil-rich nation.
Then, with a deadline looming, the Sudanese government relents and promises to behave. Hope is restored. But Khartoum promptly ignores its promises, instead ramping up attacks against rebel groups and innocent civilians. In response, the West feigns outrage, using stark language to describe deteriorating conditions and the heavy price of continued obstinacy. In the end, however, without the will to follow through on its threats, the West gives in, and the cycle begins anew.
The cycle of impunity in Darfur began nearly three years ago, when the U.N. Security Council adopted resolution 1556, giving Khartoum 30 days to disarm or face economic and military sanctions. The deadline passed quietly. Read more >>>
Sudan urged to accept Darfur resolution
By MELISSA EDDY
BERLIN -- The suffering of people in Darfur is "unbearable" and the United Nations should consider stronger sanctions against the Sudanese government for not stopping violence in the region, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday.
Merkel - whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union - made the comments at a celebration of the EU's 50th birthday in Berlin.
The remarks came a day after Sudanese troops barred the U.N. humanitarian chief from visiting a refugee camp in the Darfur region.
"Even today, our thoughts are with the people in ... Darfur. The suffering there is unbearable," Merkel said. "We call on the Sudanese President (Omar) al-Bashir to finally accept the terms of the U.N. resolution. And I say openly: we must consider stronger sanctions." Read more >>>
BERLIN -- The suffering of people in Darfur is "unbearable" and the United Nations should consider stronger sanctions against the Sudanese government for not stopping violence in the region, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday.
Merkel - whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union - made the comments at a celebration of the EU's 50th birthday in Berlin.
The remarks came a day after Sudanese troops barred the U.N. humanitarian chief from visiting a refugee camp in the Darfur region.
"Even today, our thoughts are with the people in ... Darfur. The suffering there is unbearable," Merkel said. "We call on the Sudanese President (Omar) al-Bashir to finally accept the terms of the U.N. resolution. And I say openly: we must consider stronger sanctions." Read more >>>
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Sudanese troops bar U.N. humanitarian chief from visiting Darfur refugee camp
KASSAB, Darfur:
Sudanese troops barred the U.N. humanitarian chief on Saturday from visiting one of Darfur's most violence-plagued refugee camp during his first trip to this war-torn region in Sudan.
The convoy carrying John Holmes was halted at a checkpoint about 1.2 kilometers (0.8 miles) outside the Kassab refugee camp, and he was told he did not have the proper papers to visit the site.
"I'm frustrated, annoyed, but it's not atypical of what happens here," Holmes told journalists traveling with him. He said his trip had obtained all the necessary clearances from Khartoum.
Other U.N. officials working in Darfur said that aid workers and U.N. staff were regularly blocked from doing their work at army checkpoints, and that Sudanese authorities had without motive recently confiscated costly satellite gear from one convoy.
"It's random, but it shows just how arbitrary Khartoum's rule is in Darfur," said one humanitarian worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. Read more >>>
Sudanese troops barred the U.N. humanitarian chief on Saturday from visiting one of Darfur's most violence-plagued refugee camp during his first trip to this war-torn region in Sudan.
The convoy carrying John Holmes was halted at a checkpoint about 1.2 kilometers (0.8 miles) outside the Kassab refugee camp, and he was told he did not have the proper papers to visit the site.
"I'm frustrated, annoyed, but it's not atypical of what happens here," Holmes told journalists traveling with him. He said his trip had obtained all the necessary clearances from Khartoum.
Other U.N. officials working in Darfur said that aid workers and U.N. staff were regularly blocked from doing their work at army checkpoints, and that Sudanese authorities had without motive recently confiscated costly satellite gear from one convoy.
"It's random, but it shows just how arbitrary Khartoum's rule is in Darfur," said one humanitarian worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. Read more >>>
Friday, March 23, 2007
SUDAN: Living with the threat of rape in Darfur
(IRIN) - The convoy of African Union trucks was driving up a hillside overlooking a small valley near Otash in South Darfur State, western Sudan, when the two women gathering firewood spotted the vehicles and instinctively took to their heels.
In response, the AU troops and civilian police, including a young Sudanese officer who had accompanied the patrol, ran after the women shouting greetings.
“We were scared,” Khadija Sebit Sulieman said. Still gripping the axe she had been using to cut wood, she added: “This is the place where the Arabs [militias] used to attack us.”
The presence of the young Sudanese officer only added to the confusion. “Some of the ones who attacked wore a uniform just like his,” she said, pointing at him.
The women were just two of the millions of people in Darfur region who have endured harassment from armed militias, especially the Janjawid, ever since the conflict began in western Sudan in 2003. At the time, rebels claimed to be fighting against the marginalisation of the remote region. The Sudanese government responded by arming militias, who are now accused of turning their guns on civilians in the region. Read more >>>
Thursday, March 22, 2007
EU calls for tighter monitoring of Darfur
Laura MacInnis
European Union states called on Wednesday for closer international surveillance of human rights in Darfur after a United Nations-commissioned report largely blamed the Sudanese government for continuing war crimes there.
In a proposal to the UN Human Rights Council, they said a team of experts should be formed to keep pressure on Khartoum to honour past recommendations on respecting the rights of civilians in the vast western region.
Observers estimate 200 000 people have been killed and more than two million driven from their homes since a revolt broke out four years ago. The government responded to the uprising by arming militias, which have been accused of atrocities.
Last week, a team dispatched by the council to investigate allegations of widespread violations, including killings, rapes and arbitrary arrests, accused Khartoum of orchestrating and taking part in such international crimes. Read more >>>
European Union states called on Wednesday for closer international surveillance of human rights in Darfur after a United Nations-commissioned report largely blamed the Sudanese government for continuing war crimes there.
In a proposal to the UN Human Rights Council, they said a team of experts should be formed to keep pressure on Khartoum to honour past recommendations on respecting the rights of civilians in the vast western region.
Observers estimate 200 000 people have been killed and more than two million driven from their homes since a revolt broke out four years ago. The government responded to the uprising by arming militias, which have been accused of atrocities.
Last week, a team dispatched by the council to investigate allegations of widespread violations, including killings, rapes and arbitrary arrests, accused Khartoum of orchestrating and taking part in such international crimes. Read more >>>
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Global court names first defendants in Darfur crimes
By James Wright
WASHINGTON (NNPA) - A leading activist against the genocide taking place in the Darfur region of the Sudan and an organization committed to its end are hopeful that an international court will try to prosecute two Sudanese men who have played a key role in its facilitation.
The International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, which is located in the Netherlands, wants to try Ahman Muhammad Harun, the Sudanese minister of state for humanitarian affairs and Ali Kushayb, leader of the government-backed Janjaweed militia that is terrorizing Darfurians and committing such crimes as rape, torture and inhumane acts. Read more >>>
WASHINGTON (NNPA) - A leading activist against the genocide taking place in the Darfur region of the Sudan and an organization committed to its end are hopeful that an international court will try to prosecute two Sudanese men who have played a key role in its facilitation.
The International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, which is located in the Netherlands, wants to try Ahman Muhammad Harun, the Sudanese minister of state for humanitarian affairs and Ali Kushayb, leader of the government-backed Janjaweed militia that is terrorizing Darfurians and committing such crimes as rape, torture and inhumane acts. Read more >>>
UN.: Beef-up Darfur peacekeeping force
By EDITH M. LEDERER
UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations will never accept a rejection from Sudan‘s president to a strong peacekeeping operation in Darfur because the conflict is hurting millions of people in the region, the U.N. peacekeeping chief said Monday.
Jean-Marie Guehenno briefed the U.N. Security Council U.N. Security Council on President Omar al-Bashir‘s rejection of all but a very limited role for the United Nations in supporting African Union troops in the vast area of western Sudan.
"We‘ll never take any reaction as a rejection," Guehenno said. "We can‘t afford that and the people in Darfur can‘t afford that. ... We are prepared to clarify any detail in what is on offer."
He also has raised objections to the final stage of a U.N. plan that calls for a 22,000-strong joint U.N.-AU peacekeeping mission.
Khartoum is accused of having responded with indiscriminate killings by unleashing the janjaweed militias of Arab nomads blamed for the worst atrocities in Darfur. Read more >>>
UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations will never accept a rejection from Sudan‘s president to a strong peacekeeping operation in Darfur because the conflict is hurting millions of people in the region, the U.N. peacekeeping chief said Monday.
Jean-Marie Guehenno briefed the U.N. Security Council U.N. Security Council on President Omar al-Bashir‘s rejection of all but a very limited role for the United Nations in supporting African Union troops in the vast area of western Sudan.
"We‘ll never take any reaction as a rejection," Guehenno said. "We can‘t afford that and the people in Darfur can‘t afford that. ... We are prepared to clarify any detail in what is on offer."
He also has raised objections to the final stage of a U.N. plan that calls for a 22,000-strong joint U.N.-AU peacekeeping mission.
Khartoum is accused of having responded with indiscriminate killings by unleashing the janjaweed militias of Arab nomads blamed for the worst atrocities in Darfur. Read more >>>
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Sudanese women to be stoned for adultery
Two Sudanese women have been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery after a trial in which they had no lawyer and which used Arabic, not their first language, Amnesty International says.
Sadia Idriss Fadul was sentenced on February 13 and Amouna Abdallah Daldoum on March 6 and their sentences could be carried out at any time, the London-based group said in a statement.
North Sudan implements Islamic sharia law.
"The women had no lawyer during their trial and were not able to defend themselves, as their first languages are those of their ethnic groups," Amnesty said.
Both women are from non-Arab tribes but the proceedings were in Arabic and no interpreter was provided, Amnesty said. Their trial took place in central AlGezira state.
"One of the women, Sadia Idriss Fadul, has one of her children with her in prison," Amnesty said. Read full story >>>
Sadia Idriss Fadul was sentenced on February 13 and Amouna Abdallah Daldoum on March 6 and their sentences could be carried out at any time, the London-based group said in a statement.
North Sudan implements Islamic sharia law.
"The women had no lawyer during their trial and were not able to defend themselves, as their first languages are those of their ethnic groups," Amnesty said.
Both women are from non-Arab tribes but the proceedings were in Arabic and no interpreter was provided, Amnesty said. Their trial took place in central AlGezira state.
"One of the women, Sadia Idriss Fadul, has one of her children with her in prison," Amnesty said. Read full story >>>
Why less is more in Darfur
According to Slovic, human psychology is such that it may be more useful to show the world a picture of a single Darfuri refugee than dwell on the big numbers.
It's not that we don't care about Darfur's hundreds of thousands of displaced and killed - we're just unable to comprehend the scale of the suffering, he says. Read more >>>
Monday, March 19, 2007
Darfur a thorny issue for state ERS
By Derrick DePledge
Leanne Gillespie usually keeps up with world events, but she admits she was not aware of the atrocities in the Darfur region in the western Sudan until she heard actor George Clooney speak about the conflict before the United Nations Security Council last September.
An estimated 200,000 to 400,000 people have died in Darfur, and 2 million people have been displaced in fighting between tribes and government-backed Arab militias. Clooney described it as the first genocide of the 21st century.
"I couldn't believe it had been going on and I didn't know about it," said Gillespie, a state employee who was so moved she founded the Hawai'i Coalition for Darfur. "I was horrified." Read more >>>
Leanne Gillespie usually keeps up with world events, but she admits she was not aware of the atrocities in the Darfur region in the western Sudan until she heard actor George Clooney speak about the conflict before the United Nations Security Council last September.
An estimated 200,000 to 400,000 people have died in Darfur, and 2 million people have been displaced in fighting between tribes and government-backed Arab militias. Clooney described it as the first genocide of the 21st century.
"I couldn't believe it had been going on and I didn't know about it," said Gillespie, a state employee who was so moved she founded the Hawai'i Coalition for Darfur. "I was horrified." Read more >>>
A beam of light on Darfur
Future generations will not easily forgive the governments and international bodies that have allowed the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan to continue uninterrupted and unpunished year after year. So a report this week prepared for the United Nations Human Rights Council by a "High-Level Mission on the Situation of Human Rights in Darfur" should be welcome as a beam of bright light pointed into this 21st-century heart of darkness.
Basing its recommendations on the 2005 UN affirmation of a "responsibility to protect" civilians not protected by their own governments, the report tells some hard truths — free of jargon or obfuscation.
It says the human rights situation is deteriorating and aid workers are often targeted by government- backed militias. "Killing of civilians remains widespread, including in large-scale attacks. Rape and sexual violence are widespread and systematic. Torture continues." Read more >>>
Basing its recommendations on the 2005 UN affirmation of a "responsibility to protect" civilians not protected by their own governments, the report tells some hard truths — free of jargon or obfuscation.
It says the human rights situation is deteriorating and aid workers are often targeted by government- backed militias. "Killing of civilians remains widespread, including in large-scale attacks. Rape and sexual violence are widespread and systematic. Torture continues." Read more >>>
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Verbatim '. . . systematic violations . . .'
ALFRED DE MONTESQUIOU / Associated Press
Sudanese Darfur refugees rest after arriving on the outskirts of the Gaga refugee camp in Chad. At least 230,000 ethnic Africans have fled Darfur to take refuge in camps in neighboring Chad. This is an excerpt from the concluding section of a new report by the United Nations High-Level Mission on Darfur. This report on human rights abuses in that region of Sudan was released Monday.
The High-Level Mission concludes that the situation of human rights in Darfur remains grave, and the corresponding needs profound.
The situation is characterized by gross and systematic violations of human rights and grave breaches of international humanitarian law. War crimes and crimes against humanity continue across the region.
The principal pattern is one of a violent counterinsurgency campaign waged by the Government of the Sudan in concert with Janjaweed /militia, and targeting mostly civilians. Rebel forces are also guilty of serious abuses of human rights and violations of humanitarian law. Read more >>>
How do you solve a crisis like Darfur?
By Nicholas D. Kristof
FOR anyone who thinks that "genocide" is absolutely the rock-bottom possibility, keep an eye on Darfur.
The area of crisis has already spread from an area the size of France to one the size of Western Europe, encompassing Chad and Central African Republic while threatening to reignite the separate war between north and south Sudan. And aid workers increasingly are finding themselves under attack, so that humanitarian access is now lower than at any time since 2004.
Six weeks ago, I invited readers to send in their own suggestions for what we should do about Darfur, and the result was a deluge of proposals from all over the world. Read more >>>
FOR anyone who thinks that "genocide" is absolutely the rock-bottom possibility, keep an eye on Darfur.
The area of crisis has already spread from an area the size of France to one the size of Western Europe, encompassing Chad and Central African Republic while threatening to reignite the separate war between north and south Sudan. And aid workers increasingly are finding themselves under attack, so that humanitarian access is now lower than at any time since 2004.
Six weeks ago, I invited readers to send in their own suggestions for what we should do about Darfur, and the result was a deluge of proposals from all over the world. Read more >>>
Friday, March 16, 2007
Darfur Mission is Credible and Its Report Must Be Respected
Geneva, — UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer delivered the following statement today before the plenary of the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva:
Mr. President,
The Darfur Mission asks the Council to recognize what every ordinary citizen already knows: that Sudan bears responsibility for large-scale international crimes.
The world now looks to this assembly. The credibility of this Council is at stake.
The arguments of Sudan are like those of the child who murders his parents and then asks for mercy on the grounds of being an orphan. Sudan refused the Mission entry to Darfur, connived to have their representative on the team resign, and now invokes these as grounds to disqualify the report. Both arguments are hollow and, as stated by Ghana, contrary to prior precedent.
We are also deeply disappointed by comments made by the Arab League, the OIC, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, China, Cuba and many others, challenging the legitimacy of the mission and treating its work as a “non-report.” The country that invoked the Most Compassionate and Merciful showed neither compassion nor mercy for the victims of Darfur. A great power acted not with greatness, but out of Olympic-sized commercial interests.
UN Watch urges these parties to recognize that the Mission and its report are eminently credible, and not to ignore the following basic facts: Read more >>>
Mr. President,
The Darfur Mission asks the Council to recognize what every ordinary citizen already knows: that Sudan bears responsibility for large-scale international crimes.
The world now looks to this assembly. The credibility of this Council is at stake.
The arguments of Sudan are like those of the child who murders his parents and then asks for mercy on the grounds of being an orphan. Sudan refused the Mission entry to Darfur, connived to have their representative on the team resign, and now invokes these as grounds to disqualify the report. Both arguments are hollow and, as stated by Ghana, contrary to prior precedent.
We are also deeply disappointed by comments made by the Arab League, the OIC, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, China, Cuba and many others, challenging the legitimacy of the mission and treating its work as a “non-report.” The country that invoked the Most Compassionate and Merciful showed neither compassion nor mercy for the victims of Darfur. A great power acted not with greatness, but out of Olympic-sized commercial interests.
UN Watch urges these parties to recognize that the Mission and its report are eminently credible, and not to ignore the following basic facts: Read more >>>
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL DISCUSSES REPORT OF HIGH-LEVEL MISSION ON SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN DARFUR
Human Rights Council
The Human Rights Council this morning discussed the report of its high-level mission on the situation of human rights in Darfur as it started its debate on the follow-up to the decisions and resolutions adopted by the Council.
Jody Williams, Head of the high-level mission, presenting the report, said it described a pattern of counter-insurgency by the Government of Sudan together with Janjaweed/militia. The report also noted that rebel forces were guilty of abuses of human rights and violations of humanitarian law. Civilians were victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which continued across the region. Killing, rape, torture, arbitrary arrest, repression of political dissent, and abuses of political freedoms occurred with chilling frequency. Ineffective mechanisms of justice, the free flow of weapons, the absence of meaningful disarmament, and a climate of impunity had left the region a stranger to the rule of law. Read more >>>
The Human Rights Council this morning discussed the report of its high-level mission on the situation of human rights in Darfur as it started its debate on the follow-up to the decisions and resolutions adopted by the Council.
Jody Williams, Head of the high-level mission, presenting the report, said it described a pattern of counter-insurgency by the Government of Sudan together with Janjaweed/militia. The report also noted that rebel forces were guilty of abuses of human rights and violations of humanitarian law. Civilians were victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which continued across the region. Killing, rape, torture, arbitrary arrest, repression of political dissent, and abuses of political freedoms occurred with chilling frequency. Ineffective mechanisms of justice, the free flow of weapons, the absence of meaningful disarmament, and a climate of impunity had left the region a stranger to the rule of law. Read more >>>
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Living with the threat of rape in Darfur
Aid workers say rape is widespread in Darfur, especially whenever the women venture out of the camps to find firewood to cook the food given by humanitarian agencies
The convoy of African Union trucks was driving up a hillside overlooking a small valley near Otash in South Darfur State, western Sudan, when the two women gathering firewood spotted the vehicles and instinctively took to their heels.
In response, the AU troops and civilian police, including a young Sudanese officer who had accompanied the patrol, ran after the women shouting greetings.
“We were scared,” Khadija Sebit Sulieman said. Still gripping the axe she had been using to cut wood, she added: “This is the place where the Arabs [militias] used to attack us.” Read more >>>
The convoy of African Union trucks was driving up a hillside overlooking a small valley near Otash in South Darfur State, western Sudan, when the two women gathering firewood spotted the vehicles and instinctively took to their heels.
In response, the AU troops and civilian police, including a young Sudanese officer who had accompanied the patrol, ran after the women shouting greetings.
“We were scared,” Khadija Sebit Sulieman said. Still gripping the axe she had been using to cut wood, she added: “This is the place where the Arabs [militias] used to attack us.” Read more >>>
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Holocaust repeats itself in Darfur genocide
By ANDY CARROLL
After the atrocities of the Holocaust, the world promised to never again engage in the senseless, mass murder of a people because of ethnicity or beliefs.
On paper, it looks like a glorious promise, but the carrying out of this promise has been anything but flawless. The world has discovered a blind spot in this
promise: Africa.
Genocide is occurring in Darfur, the western region of Sudan, located in North Africa. This is not the first post-Holocaust instance of genocide in Africa; others include the Ugandan genocide in the 1970s and the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Genocide in Darfur has been going on since 2003, largely unnoticed by most of the world. Read more >>>
After the atrocities of the Holocaust, the world promised to never again engage in the senseless, mass murder of a people because of ethnicity or beliefs.
On paper, it looks like a glorious promise, but the carrying out of this promise has been anything but flawless. The world has discovered a blind spot in this
promise: Africa.
Genocide is occurring in Darfur, the western region of Sudan, located in North Africa. This is not the first post-Holocaust instance of genocide in Africa; others include the Ugandan genocide in the 1970s and the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Genocide in Darfur has been going on since 2003, largely unnoticed by most of the world. Read more >>>
Why the massacre in Darfur is still happening
By Galen Sanford, Staff Writer
I’m assuming you know about the genocide in Darfur. If you do not, put the paper down and go to crisisgroup.org. The killing continues as you read these words and it is not going to stop. No country with the ability to intervene will and the reasons why are disturbing. In no particular order: Salah Abdallah Gosh, Iraq and oil.
The Sudan has a lot of oil, most of which is not currently being extracted. In 1997 and 2001, Western oil companies left the Sudan because of human rights violations. China, India and Malaysia immediately moved in. China is the major exporter of Sudanese oil, and therefore has the most at stake in Sudan. If the human rights abuses stop, Western sanctions against Khartoum, the capital of the Sudanese regime, may be removed, at which point China would face competition for petroleum.
In an interview with John Prendergast, the senior advisor at the International Crisis Group and a leader of the Save Darfur coalition, he told me China will not intervene in the genocide because they have a “perfect authoritarian partner to clear the oil fields.” Not only does China condone the killing, they are advocating it. China has supplied Khartoum with the money it needs to arm the Janjaweed Militias who are forcing indigents off their own land. China wants the people moved because they want uninhibited access to the oil fields. Distant strangers hold little priority to a petroleum starved country like China. Read more >>>
I’m assuming you know about the genocide in Darfur. If you do not, put the paper down and go to crisisgroup.org. The killing continues as you read these words and it is not going to stop. No country with the ability to intervene will and the reasons why are disturbing. In no particular order: Salah Abdallah Gosh, Iraq and oil.
The Sudan has a lot of oil, most of which is not currently being extracted. In 1997 and 2001, Western oil companies left the Sudan because of human rights violations. China, India and Malaysia immediately moved in. China is the major exporter of Sudanese oil, and therefore has the most at stake in Sudan. If the human rights abuses stop, Western sanctions against Khartoum, the capital of the Sudanese regime, may be removed, at which point China would face competition for petroleum.
In an interview with John Prendergast, the senior advisor at the International Crisis Group and a leader of the Save Darfur coalition, he told me China will not intervene in the genocide because they have a “perfect authoritarian partner to clear the oil fields.” Not only does China condone the killing, they are advocating it. China has supplied Khartoum with the money it needs to arm the Janjaweed Militias who are forcing indigents off their own land. China wants the people moved because they want uninhibited access to the oil fields. Distant strangers hold little priority to a petroleum starved country like China. Read more >>>
Monday, March 12, 2007
UN panel calls for action in Darfur
By ALEXANDER G. HIGGINS Associated Press Writer
GENEVA — A U.N. human rights team criticized the international community Monday for failing to halt atrocities in Darfur, saying in a sharply worded report that the United Nations must act now to protect civilians from a violence campaign orchestrated by Sudan's government.
The panel, headed by Nobel peace laureate Jody Williams, departed from the usual diplomatic niceties of U.N. reports to accuse major nations of letting Sudan obstruct efforts to quell ethnic fighting that has killed 200,000 people and displaced 2.5 million in four years.
The report urged quick U.N. Security Council intervention, the imposition of sanctions and criminal prosecutions of those responsible for atrocities and other abuses.
"Killing of civilians remains widespread, including in large-scale attacks. Rape and sexual violence are widespread and systematic. Torture continues," it said, adding that rebel groups were behind some abuses but blaming most crimes on the government and its allies. Read more >>>
GENEVA — A U.N. human rights team criticized the international community Monday for failing to halt atrocities in Darfur, saying in a sharply worded report that the United Nations must act now to protect civilians from a violence campaign orchestrated by Sudan's government.
The panel, headed by Nobel peace laureate Jody Williams, departed from the usual diplomatic niceties of U.N. reports to accuse major nations of letting Sudan obstruct efforts to quell ethnic fighting that has killed 200,000 people and displaced 2.5 million in four years.
The report urged quick U.N. Security Council intervention, the imposition of sanctions and criminal prosecutions of those responsible for atrocities and other abuses.
"Killing of civilians remains widespread, including in large-scale attacks. Rape and sexual violence are widespread and systematic. Torture continues," it said, adding that rebel groups were behind some abuses but blaming most crimes on the government and its allies. Read more >>>
Rapists terrorise women of Darfur
ARDAMATA CAMP (Reuters):
The 25-year-old Darfuri woman was raped in front of her two young children, whose screams haunted her during an attack which she is too ashamed to tell her husband about.
Despite a recent lull in fighting, rape continues in Darfur's conflict. The crime is so sensitive, it is seldom reported by victims whofear retribution and social exclusion.
The 25-year-old, who asked not to be named, was raped by a man carrying a gun. She said he was a member of a pro-government militia, mobilised to quell a four-year-old rebellion.
"It was one man with a rifle who threatened us," she said, her gaze lowered to the ground. "He told me your husband has left you and gone to the rebellion, so I will kill you."
"My children were screaming and ran off into the bush. All I could hear was their screaming." The full story >>>
The 25-year-old Darfuri woman was raped in front of her two young children, whose screams haunted her during an attack which she is too ashamed to tell her husband about.
Despite a recent lull in fighting, rape continues in Darfur's conflict. The crime is so sensitive, it is seldom reported by victims whofear retribution and social exclusion.
The 25-year-old, who asked not to be named, was raped by a man carrying a gun. She said he was a member of a pro-government militia, mobilised to quell a four-year-old rebellion.
"It was one man with a rifle who threatened us," she said, her gaze lowered to the ground. "He told me your husband has left you and gone to the rebellion, so I will kill you."
"My children were screaming and ran off into the bush. All I could hear was their screaming." The full story >>>
Sudan: genocide in Darfur
By Gérard Prunier
The Darfur conflict, which has already left 400,000 dead, has destabilised Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic. At a summit in Cannes last month, all three countries agreed to respect each other’s territorial integrity, but the diplomatic activity conceals an international political deadlock over potential oil wealth.
Two million people have fled Darfur in northwest Sudan since 2003, 250,000 of them since last August (1), and the resources of neighbouring Chad are suffering from the strain of 250,000 refugees. The conflict has left 400,000 dead in four years. Aid workers from the United Nations and NGOs have had to move camps 31 times to escape attacks, although this did not prevent the arrest of several aid workers on 19 January in Nyala; they were beaten with rifle butts by the Sudanese police. Twelve aid workers were killed during massacres and five others have disappeared. Read more >>>
The Darfur conflict, which has already left 400,000 dead, has destabilised Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic. At a summit in Cannes last month, all three countries agreed to respect each other’s territorial integrity, but the diplomatic activity conceals an international political deadlock over potential oil wealth.
Two million people have fled Darfur in northwest Sudan since 2003, 250,000 of them since last August (1), and the resources of neighbouring Chad are suffering from the strain of 250,000 refugees. The conflict has left 400,000 dead in four years. Aid workers from the United Nations and NGOs have had to move camps 31 times to escape attacks, although this did not prevent the arrest of several aid workers on 19 January in Nyala; they were beaten with rifle butts by the Sudanese police. Twelve aid workers were killed during massacres and five others have disappeared. Read more >>>
Darfur’s misery continues
Diplomatic pressure, moral leadership desperately needed to counteract Sudan
SAVE EMAIL PRINT POPULAR It has been nearly five years since the humanitarian crisis in Sudan began, since attempts at diplomacy were made with the Sudanese government of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. Yet 400,000 people are dead, 2.5 million are displaced and nothing has changed on the ground.
Sadly, gunmen killed two African Union peacekeepers and critically wounded a third the other day, punctuating the violence and instilling concerns that the gunmen belonged to the Sudan Liberation Army — the rebel faction that signed the Darfur Peace Agreement in May 2006. If so, international efforts at peace have been severely damaged. The incident begs the question as to what significant action world leaders plan.
Diplomacy, by itself, isn’t going to work. If al-Bashir wanted to do the right thing, he would have done so a long time ago. Instead, he is putting off deployment of a U.N. multilateral peacekeeping force with the authority and ability to protect the civilian population, calling it a Western attempt to colonize Africa’s largest country. Read more >>>
SAVE EMAIL PRINT POPULAR It has been nearly five years since the humanitarian crisis in Sudan began, since attempts at diplomacy were made with the Sudanese government of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. Yet 400,000 people are dead, 2.5 million are displaced and nothing has changed on the ground.
Sadly, gunmen killed two African Union peacekeepers and critically wounded a third the other day, punctuating the violence and instilling concerns that the gunmen belonged to the Sudan Liberation Army — the rebel faction that signed the Darfur Peace Agreement in May 2006. If so, international efforts at peace have been severely damaged. The incident begs the question as to what significant action world leaders plan.
Diplomacy, by itself, isn’t going to work. If al-Bashir wanted to do the right thing, he would have done so a long time ago. Instead, he is putting off deployment of a U.N. multilateral peacekeeping force with the authority and ability to protect the civilian population, calling it a Western attempt to colonize Africa’s largest country. Read more >>>
Sunday, March 11, 2007
More Darfuris flee, begging for UN troops to help
By Opheera McDoom
ARDAMATA CAMP, Darfur, (Reuters) - Four years after the Darfur conflict erupted, new refugees continue to pour into growing makeshift camps telling of murder, pillage and rape.
In Ardamata in West Darfur, thousands have only torn plastic sheeting propped up by sticks as shelter from dust and searing sun, after militia attacks drove them from their homes.
Tired aid workers battle on in the world's largest humanitarian operation to provide food and healthcare to those who are fleeing attacks on their villages and on the roads.
Those who have suffered for years are also tired of waiting for U.N. forces. An African Union (AU) force mandated to protect civilians, they say, does nothing to help and its troops are usually too scared themselves to leave their camp.
"The only way to solve this problem is for the United Nations to come here to protect us," said Abdallah Hamad, whose village was attacked in December, forcing him to seek a haven in Ardamata, near the state capital el-Geneina.
He said the AU troops were incapable of fighting the militia, known as Janjaweed.
"The African Union are useless. They themselves need U.N. protection," he said. He added that when armed militia entered the camp a few days earlier, the AU troops fled. Read more >>>
ARDAMATA CAMP, Darfur, (Reuters) - Four years after the Darfur conflict erupted, new refugees continue to pour into growing makeshift camps telling of murder, pillage and rape.
In Ardamata in West Darfur, thousands have only torn plastic sheeting propped up by sticks as shelter from dust and searing sun, after militia attacks drove them from their homes.
Tired aid workers battle on in the world's largest humanitarian operation to provide food and healthcare to those who are fleeing attacks on their villages and on the roads.
Those who have suffered for years are also tired of waiting for U.N. forces. An African Union (AU) force mandated to protect civilians, they say, does nothing to help and its troops are usually too scared themselves to leave their camp.
"The only way to solve this problem is for the United Nations to come here to protect us," said Abdallah Hamad, whose village was attacked in December, forcing him to seek a haven in Ardamata, near the state capital el-Geneina.
He said the AU troops were incapable of fighting the militia, known as Janjaweed.
"The African Union are useless. They themselves need U.N. protection," he said. He added that when armed militia entered the camp a few days earlier, the AU troops fled. Read more >>>
Never give up fighting genocide in Darfur
By: Lilit Hovakimyan
My heart is paining for those who had lived their whole lives in peace and who wanted to die in peace, for those who were so young and had so many plans for the future, for those who would have so much to tell and who'd just learned to say "Mother." Is it fair?
No, it is not just. I know what it means. Genocide. Even hearing this word, I tremble. This word fills the heart of a 16-year-old girl with hatred. A question that doesn't leave my mind alone is, "Why? For what?" The answer is simple: "Why not?"
I am talking from a name of a whole nation. From the name of parents who saw their children burning in the fire, from the name of husbands who saw their wives being raped and from the names of children getting killed when they were still under their mothers' hearts.
I am crying while putting down what I feel on this sheet of paper. Yes, I am crying because I knowa 16-year-old girl and her thoughts or feelings cannot stop it. But I know one thing for sure. We cannot change the past, but the future is in our hands. We learn from the past and bring it to the future. If we all fight and never give up, there will come a day of triumph. Read more >>>
My heart is paining for those who had lived their whole lives in peace and who wanted to die in peace, for those who were so young and had so many plans for the future, for those who would have so much to tell and who'd just learned to say "Mother." Is it fair?
No, it is not just. I know what it means. Genocide. Even hearing this word, I tremble. This word fills the heart of a 16-year-old girl with hatred. A question that doesn't leave my mind alone is, "Why? For what?" The answer is simple: "Why not?"
I am talking from a name of a whole nation. From the name of parents who saw their children burning in the fire, from the name of husbands who saw their wives being raped and from the names of children getting killed when they were still under their mothers' hearts.
I am crying while putting down what I feel on this sheet of paper. Yes, I am crying because I knowa 16-year-old girl and her thoughts or feelings cannot stop it. But I know one thing for sure. We cannot change the past, but the future is in our hands. We learn from the past and bring it to the future. If we all fight and never give up, there will come a day of triumph. Read more >>>
Saturday, March 10, 2007
By: Eric Reeves
Civilians and humanitarians remain caught amidst uncontrolled violence, with no prospect of meaningful international protection
Despite desperate pleas from both civilians and aid organizations, in Darfur as well as in eastern Chad, security continues to deteriorate badly in the greater humanitarian theater---threatening lives, livelihoods, and all humanitarian operations. Nor is there any prospect of an adequate or timely international protection response to these deepening, inter-related security crises. Ethnically-targeted violence on both sides of the Chad/Darfur border, growing directly out of the Khartoum regime’s genocidal counterinsurgency war, has created a conflict-affected population of over 4.5 million human beings. Hundreds of thousands of these people will die in the coming months and years. A cataclysm of human destruction has begun that simply cannot be halted, though of course it might still be substantially mitigated. But the approximately 500,000 people who have already died from violence, disease, and malnutrition over the past four years of conflict provide a ghastly metric for future human destruction (see my two-part mortality assessment of April/May 2006 at http://www.sudanreeves.org/Article102.html and http://www.sudanreeves.org/Article104.html).
Humanitarian access to these desperate populations is contracting at an alarming rate. Read more >>>
Civilians and humanitarians remain caught amidst uncontrolled violence, with no prospect of meaningful international protection
Despite desperate pleas from both civilians and aid organizations, in Darfur as well as in eastern Chad, security continues to deteriorate badly in the greater humanitarian theater---threatening lives, livelihoods, and all humanitarian operations. Nor is there any prospect of an adequate or timely international protection response to these deepening, inter-related security crises. Ethnically-targeted violence on both sides of the Chad/Darfur border, growing directly out of the Khartoum regime’s genocidal counterinsurgency war, has created a conflict-affected population of over 4.5 million human beings. Hundreds of thousands of these people will die in the coming months and years. A cataclysm of human destruction has begun that simply cannot be halted, though of course it might still be substantially mitigated. But the approximately 500,000 people who have already died from violence, disease, and malnutrition over the past four years of conflict provide a ghastly metric for future human destruction (see my two-part mortality assessment of April/May 2006 at http://www.sudanreeves.org/Article102.html and http://www.sudanreeves.org/Article104.html).
Humanitarian access to these desperate populations is contracting at an alarming rate. Read more >>>
Darfur needs our immediate attention
Written by DO
200,000 people dead since the conflict began in 2003, including those killed by starvation and disease, according to the most conservative estimates.
Two million displaced people are either living in camps or have sought refuge in neighbouring Chad, after fleeing the fighting. This sobering inventory of human waste and misery is taking place in the Sudanese province of Darfur. It is the sort of unfolding tragedy that naturally attracts the attention of humanitarian NGOs, but even there, one humanitarian worker has summarised the situation thus: ‘The greatest immediate threat to the people on the ground is the deteriorating humanitarian space in Darfur.
It is a deterioration made possible by the international community’s lack of political will to end the conflict. So while women were being raped, people tortured and murdered, the international community was busy quibbling over the definition of genocide. Read more >>>
200,000 people dead since the conflict began in 2003, including those killed by starvation and disease, according to the most conservative estimates.
Two million displaced people are either living in camps or have sought refuge in neighbouring Chad, after fleeing the fighting. This sobering inventory of human waste and misery is taking place in the Sudanese province of Darfur. It is the sort of unfolding tragedy that naturally attracts the attention of humanitarian NGOs, but even there, one humanitarian worker has summarised the situation thus: ‘The greatest immediate threat to the people on the ground is the deteriorating humanitarian space in Darfur.
It is a deterioration made possible by the international community’s lack of political will to end the conflict. So while women were being raped, people tortured and murdered, the international community was busy quibbling over the definition of genocide. Read more >>>
U.N. human rights chief says rape remains widespread in Darfur conflict
By: MIKE CORDER - Associated Press
THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Women in Darfur continue to be subjected to rape by all sides in the brutal conflict in western Sudanese region, the U.N. human rights chief said Thursday -- International Women's Day.
Louise Arbour said she has about 75 human rights officers monitoring abuses in Darfur, and that many women were being attacked as soon they ventured out of refugee camps to carry out essential chores.
"Women are forced to go out of the camp to collect firewood," Arbour said at a meeting in The Hague of female leaders in international law. "They believe, they tell us, that if the men went out they would be killed, and that's why it's the women who expose themselves and they get raped."
She said another problem now arising for rape victims was having to bring up children that are the product of sexual attacks. Read more >>>
THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Women in Darfur continue to be subjected to rape by all sides in the brutal conflict in western Sudanese region, the U.N. human rights chief said Thursday -- International Women's Day.
Louise Arbour said she has about 75 human rights officers monitoring abuses in Darfur, and that many women were being attacked as soon they ventured out of refugee camps to carry out essential chores.
"Women are forced to go out of the camp to collect firewood," Arbour said at a meeting in The Hague of female leaders in international law. "They believe, they tell us, that if the men went out they would be killed, and that's why it's the women who expose themselves and they get raped."
She said another problem now arising for rape victims was having to bring up children that are the product of sexual attacks. Read more >>>
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Militia in Darfur surround camp for displaced people, humanitarian work suspended: UN
8 March 2007 – Hundreds of Arab militia in Sudan’s strife-torn Darfur region recently surrounded a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) after abducting two civilians from inside the camp, forcing the temporary suspension of humanitarian work there, the United Nations mission to the impoverished country said today.
On Wednesday, Arab militiamen swept through Ardamata IDP camp in west Darfur, capturing two civilians in connection with the killing of one of their relatives, the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) said in a press release, adding the two suspects had then been taken to the Government police station but the militia refused to allow the officers to investigate.
Later, they handed the two suspects over to the Military Intelligence/Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) camp in Ardamata.
“Some 250 militiamen surrounded Ardamata camp on the east and north side demanding a meeting with community leaders. Humanitarian operations in the camp have been temporarily suspended,” UNMIS said. Read more >>>
On Wednesday, Arab militiamen swept through Ardamata IDP camp in west Darfur, capturing two civilians in connection with the killing of one of their relatives, the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) said in a press release, adding the two suspects had then been taken to the Government police station but the militia refused to allow the officers to investigate.
Later, they handed the two suspects over to the Military Intelligence/Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) camp in Ardamata.
“Some 250 militiamen surrounded Ardamata camp on the east and north side demanding a meeting with community leaders. Humanitarian operations in the camp have been temporarily suspended,” UNMIS said. Read more >>>
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Darfur: The Making of a Genocide
Darfur: The Making of a Genocide
The conflict in the Darfur region of the Sudan began in 2003, when government-backed militia groups called the Janjaweed stepped up raids and attacks against the region's farming communities.
The Sudanese government allegedly began arming and recruiting the Janjaweed from local Arab tribes when African rebel groups in Darfur, organized in response to a widespread perception of the Sudanese government's neglect of the region, began attacking government forces.
Since the conflict began, Darfur has become one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters. As many as 300,000 people have died and over 1.8 million have been displaced. Read more >>>
Genocide in Darfur: Will the World Act?
At Washington University last week, a simple and stark message was written in large black letters on white paper plates posted on university bulletin boards on the campus: City of St. Louis Population: 350,000; Number Killed in Darfur: 400,000.
These chilling numbers speak for themselves; to date, more people are reliably believed to have been murdered in the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of western Sudan, than the total number of people who reside in the City of St. Louis. Last week, Ruth Messinger, president of the American Jewish World Service, an international development and relief organization based in New York City, was in St. Louis to report on the current situation and the urgent need for meaningful international action to stop the wholesale slaughter. Read more >>>
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
EU deeply concerned about situation in Darfur
EU Foreign Ministers Council expressed Monday its "deep concern " about the continuing deterioration of the security situation and the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, as a consequence of the increasing violence by all parties to the conflict.
The Council in a statement said it is "particularly alarmed by Sudanese Armed Forces bombing near the Chadian border on 11 February, and militia attacks in North Darfur on 13 February resulting in 20 civilian deaths."
It condemned the continuing attacks on humanitarian aid workers, harassment targeting relief activities and ceasefire violations.
Emphasising the urgent need for an inclusive political agreement to solve the conflict in Darfur, the Council welcomes the recent talks held in Sudan by the AU and UN Special envoys. Read more >>>
The Council in a statement said it is "particularly alarmed by Sudanese Armed Forces bombing near the Chadian border on 11 February, and militia attacks in North Darfur on 13 February resulting in 20 civilian deaths."
It condemned the continuing attacks on humanitarian aid workers, harassment targeting relief activities and ceasefire violations.
Emphasising the urgent need for an inclusive political agreement to solve the conflict in Darfur, the Council welcomes the recent talks held in Sudan by the AU and UN Special envoys. Read more >>>
We all have a duty to Darfur
Zachary Baum
Nicholas Kristof's speech about the horrors occurring in Darfur addressed a huge problem in the world today. The genocide and gang rapes that occur there are inexcusable and among the most terrible crimes the world has ever seen. He also highlighted the Tufts community's affinity for active citizenship and its familiarity with the Darfur tragedy. It is, however, what he did not address that should be the central concern of our students, and those across the country.
As we pour ourselves into stopping genocide in Darfur, what are we doing to ensure that no future genocides ever start? Read more >>>
Nicholas Kristof's speech about the horrors occurring in Darfur addressed a huge problem in the world today. The genocide and gang rapes that occur there are inexcusable and among the most terrible crimes the world has ever seen. He also highlighted the Tufts community's affinity for active citizenship and its familiarity with the Darfur tragedy. It is, however, what he did not address that should be the central concern of our students, and those across the country.
As we pour ourselves into stopping genocide in Darfur, what are we doing to ensure that no future genocides ever start? Read more >>>
The Letter That Keeps Killing Darfur
Omar al-Bashir, Sudan's president, is a master of delay. He's fooled a world (eager to be fooled) into thinking he is about to accept UN peacekeepers to stop the killing in Darfur. Once everyone seems convinced, he reverses himself. Al-Bashir is buying wasted time for a failed military effort to crush Darfur's separatist insurgents in a war that is mowing down civilians by the thousands instead.
The world wants to be fooled because it has no intention of intervening to stop the genocide, so it engages in a macabre dance with al-Bashir.
The latest manifestation of this game is The Letter: the letter that has UN headquarters buzzing. Al-Bashir told Secretary General Ban Ki-moon he would answer in writing a request to deploy several thousand UN troops and later a hybrid UN-African Union peacekeeping force.
The UN has been told al-Bashir signed the letter and it's on its way. It's been on its way for two weeks.
So I bump into Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem, Sudan's ambassador to the UN, in a corridor on the UN press floor. He's holding a piece of paper in his hand.
"Is that the letter?" I ask. Read more >>>
The world wants to be fooled because it has no intention of intervening to stop the genocide, so it engages in a macabre dance with al-Bashir.
The latest manifestation of this game is The Letter: the letter that has UN headquarters buzzing. Al-Bashir told Secretary General Ban Ki-moon he would answer in writing a request to deploy several thousand UN troops and later a hybrid UN-African Union peacekeeping force.
The UN has been told al-Bashir signed the letter and it's on its way. It's been on its way for two weeks.
So I bump into Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem, Sudan's ambassador to the UN, in a corridor on the UN press floor. He's holding a piece of paper in his hand.
"Is that the letter?" I ask. Read more >>>
Saturday, March 03, 2007
I-for-CC justice for Darfur
Amy McCarthy
PrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 2 next > As many of us are aware, the systematic genocide of more than 200,000 Sudanese by Janjaweed militias has not ended.
What has ceased, however, is the United States' support for those in the Darfur region.
The United States essentially has done as little as would be necessary to appease the United Nations.
Finally, though, the International Criminal Court has stepped up to the plate.
With next to nothing being done by any international organization to bring the perpetrators and facilitators of these atrocities to justice, the court has brought charges against the Sudanese state minister for humanitarian affairs and the Janjaweed commander, Ali Kushayb, for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Thank goodness. It is paramount for those complicit in these horrendous crimes to face some kind of accountability. The ICC, however, has its problems. Read more >>>
PrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 2 next > As many of us are aware, the systematic genocide of more than 200,000 Sudanese by Janjaweed militias has not ended.
What has ceased, however, is the United States' support for those in the Darfur region.
The United States essentially has done as little as would be necessary to appease the United Nations.
Finally, though, the International Criminal Court has stepped up to the plate.
With next to nothing being done by any international organization to bring the perpetrators and facilitators of these atrocities to justice, the court has brought charges against the Sudanese state minister for humanitarian affairs and the Janjaweed commander, Ali Kushayb, for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Thank goodness. It is paramount for those complicit in these horrendous crimes to face some kind of accountability. The ICC, however, has its problems. Read more >>>
Thursday, March 01, 2007
ICC Prosecutor Files Evidence of Crimes Committed in Darfur with the ICC
Press Stateme
For Immediate Release
February 27, 2007
ICC Prosecutor Files Evidence of Crimes Committed in Darfur with the ICC
Today the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo has submitted evidence, in connection with named individuals, of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Darfur region of western Sudan. The Prosecutor has filed the evidence of crimes committed in Darfur with the ICC judges in The Hague, Netherlands. This is a substantial step in the right direction to ending the suffering of the victims of the destructive armed conflict in Darfur. It comes in fulfilment of the requirements of UN Security Council resolution 1593 (2005) adopted on March 31st, 2005 and which referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC because it constitutes a threat to regional and international peace and security.
Since February 2003, the people of Darfur have undergone the worst humanitarian crisis in the world with serious implications on peace and security across Sudan’s international borders with Chad and the Central African Republic. A savage scorched-earth campaign of killing, destruction of livelihoods, pillaging, burning of villages and massive forced displacement has been continuing against civilian population in the region with total impunity. At present, Darfur witnesses total collapse of the rule of law and administration of justice with massive and systematic crimes committed against civilians everywhere in the region including the main towns of the region such as Nyala, El Fashir, El Ginena etc. The victims of such crimes have no possibility to access domestic judicial remedy.
The undersigned organizations fully support efforts of the ICC to start probing cases of violations of international criminal law in Darfur. We encourage the ICC Prosecutor to intensify his efforts for the submission of further evidence that leads to an expedited process to hold accountable high-ranking government officials that have sanctioned, organised, financed and supported the commission of ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. We strongly call upon all States member of the United Nations and other institutions to fully cooperate with the ICC in its efforts to render justice to the victims of the armed conflict in Darfur.
1. Darfur Call – The Hague, Netherlands
2. Darfur Centre for Human Rights and Development – London, UK
3. Darfur Relief and Documentation Centre – Geneva, Switzerland
4. Darfur Peace and Justice – Brussels, Belgium
5. Darfur Peace and Development – USA
For Immediate Release
February 27, 2007
ICC Prosecutor Files Evidence of Crimes Committed in Darfur with the ICC
Today the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo has submitted evidence, in connection with named individuals, of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Darfur region of western Sudan. The Prosecutor has filed the evidence of crimes committed in Darfur with the ICC judges in The Hague, Netherlands. This is a substantial step in the right direction to ending the suffering of the victims of the destructive armed conflict in Darfur. It comes in fulfilment of the requirements of UN Security Council resolution 1593 (2005) adopted on March 31st, 2005 and which referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC because it constitutes a threat to regional and international peace and security.
Since February 2003, the people of Darfur have undergone the worst humanitarian crisis in the world with serious implications on peace and security across Sudan’s international borders with Chad and the Central African Republic. A savage scorched-earth campaign of killing, destruction of livelihoods, pillaging, burning of villages and massive forced displacement has been continuing against civilian population in the region with total impunity. At present, Darfur witnesses total collapse of the rule of law and administration of justice with massive and systematic crimes committed against civilians everywhere in the region including the main towns of the region such as Nyala, El Fashir, El Ginena etc. The victims of such crimes have no possibility to access domestic judicial remedy.
The undersigned organizations fully support efforts of the ICC to start probing cases of violations of international criminal law in Darfur. We encourage the ICC Prosecutor to intensify his efforts for the submission of further evidence that leads to an expedited process to hold accountable high-ranking government officials that have sanctioned, organised, financed and supported the commission of ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. We strongly call upon all States member of the United Nations and other institutions to fully cooperate with the ICC in its efforts to render justice to the victims of the armed conflict in Darfur.
1. Darfur Call – The Hague, Netherlands
2. Darfur Centre for Human Rights and Development – London, UK
3. Darfur Relief and Documentation Centre – Geneva, Switzerland
4. Darfur Peace and Justice – Brussels, Belgium
5. Darfur Peace and Development – USA
Influx of displaced flood South Darfur
Adam Ibriham Osman was clearly worried.
His dark eyes squinting against the midday sun and a whipping desert wind, the old man told how his village had fled en masse from marauding fighters and how some forty families had found their way to the edge of this fast-growing camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), about 11 miles south of South Darfur's capital, Nyala.
His group of well over a hundred had already waited six days to register at the camp and food was running dangerously short.
"We need help," he said, looking at the dozens of uprooted neighbors and relatives surrounding him. "We all need help."
Osman and those who had traveled with him on an odyssey that began from their home village of Gohz Karbi, about 100 miles south of here, are part of a new influx of IDPs that has swollen the population of Al Salaam by several thousand since the beginning of this year. Earlier this week (Feb. 26th), hundreds of exhausted new arrivals, including Osman and his fellow villagers waited quietly in the shade of near-by trees to be registered by camp authorities—the key first step to getting food. Their presence left little doubt the camp's growth would not likely end soon. Read more >>>
His dark eyes squinting against the midday sun and a whipping desert wind, the old man told how his village had fled en masse from marauding fighters and how some forty families had found their way to the edge of this fast-growing camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), about 11 miles south of South Darfur's capital, Nyala.
His group of well over a hundred had already waited six days to register at the camp and food was running dangerously short.
"We need help," he said, looking at the dozens of uprooted neighbors and relatives surrounding him. "We all need help."
Osman and those who had traveled with him on an odyssey that began from their home village of Gohz Karbi, about 100 miles south of here, are part of a new influx of IDPs that has swollen the population of Al Salaam by several thousand since the beginning of this year. Earlier this week (Feb. 26th), hundreds of exhausted new arrivals, including Osman and his fellow villagers waited quietly in the shade of near-by trees to be registered by camp authorities—the key first step to getting food. Their presence left little doubt the camp's growth would not likely end soon. Read more >>>
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
ICC Prosecutor Identifies First Darfur Suspects
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor's case against two Sudanese leaders for atrocities in Darfur is a first step in ending the impunity associated with horrific crimes there, Human Rights Watch said today. Earlier today, the ICC prosecutor asked Pre-Trial Chamber I to issue summonses for two suspects to appear before the court. "The ICC prosecutor's request sends a signal to Khartoum and 'Janjaweed' militia leaders that ultimately they are not going to get away with the unspeakable atrocities," said Richard Dicker, director of Human Rights Watch's International Justice program. "We urge the prosecutor to explain the significance of his action today to the communities devastated by crimes in Darfur."
The prosecutor is seeking summonses for State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Ahmed Haroun and "Janjaweed" militia leader "Ali Kosheib," (a pseudonym for Ali Mohammed Ali). Read more >>>
The prosecutor is seeking summonses for State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Ahmed Haroun and "Janjaweed" militia leader "Ali Kosheib," (a pseudonym for Ali Mohammed Ali). Read more >>>
Monday, February 26, 2007
ICC Set to Open New Darfur Chapter
Prosecutors about to present evidence relating to war crimes and crimes against humanity in western Sudan.
By Katy Glassborow and Jan Coebergh in The Hague, and Stacy Sullivan in Washington (TU No 490, 26-Feb-07)
Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, on February 27 will present evidence to pre-trial judges implicating named individuals in the Darfur crisis, which he hopes will prompt judges to release warrants of arrest.
In a statement released last week, Moreno-Ocampo said the evidence relates to war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region of Sudan.
The key question is whether evidence will lead to tough genocide charges against high-ranking officials from the Government of Sudan, GoS, or the janjaweed militia, or will involve lesser charges against rebel leaders. Read more >>>
By Katy Glassborow and Jan Coebergh in The Hague, and Stacy Sullivan in Washington (TU No 490, 26-Feb-07)
Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, on February 27 will present evidence to pre-trial judges implicating named individuals in the Darfur crisis, which he hopes will prompt judges to release warrants of arrest.
In a statement released last week, Moreno-Ocampo said the evidence relates to war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region of Sudan.
The key question is whether evidence will lead to tough genocide charges against high-ranking officials from the Government of Sudan, GoS, or the janjaweed militia, or will involve lesser charges against rebel leaders. Read more >>>
Sunday, February 25, 2007
The tragedy of Darfur - double standards being applied
Why is it that - in contrast to the attention given to the Middle East conflicts - Arab media and politicians are largely ignoring events in Darfur? Moataz El Fegiery and Ridwan Ziyada look for answers
For many people in the Arab world the "humanitarian catastrophe" unfolding in Darfur just doesn't exist - and the simple reason for that is that the Arab media has ignored it. So it's little wonder that there has been no unease or disapproval voiced at the ignorance exhibited by the Arabs on the subject of crimes against humanity in this region of Sudan.
What makes things worse is a suspicion that what we are faced with here is the kind of unscrupulousness that borders on a denial of history; one need only recall the role of some Arabs in the African slave trade.
Let's assume for the moment that Arab governments' displaying a less than clear cut commitment to the human rights issue in Darfur is only to be expected - in fact it is just about the last thing an Arab government is going to place on its list of foreign policy priorities - but what about Arab journalists, intellectuals, political activists and artists? How is their behaviour, particularly those whose job it is raise public awareness of such things on behalf of the United Nations, to be explained?
Turning a blind eye on the Darfur crisis
How can they justify their silence on events in Darfur? No explanation, no honestly expressed shock at what is happening in Darfur has been forthcoming. The only rent in this curtain of silence being the statement of 17 October 2006, when at least some few Arab intellectuals were prepared to express their disapproval of "the silence of the Arab world in the face of the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur." Read more >>>
For many people in the Arab world the "humanitarian catastrophe" unfolding in Darfur just doesn't exist - and the simple reason for that is that the Arab media has ignored it. So it's little wonder that there has been no unease or disapproval voiced at the ignorance exhibited by the Arabs on the subject of crimes against humanity in this region of Sudan.
What makes things worse is a suspicion that what we are faced with here is the kind of unscrupulousness that borders on a denial of history; one need only recall the role of some Arabs in the African slave trade.
Let's assume for the moment that Arab governments' displaying a less than clear cut commitment to the human rights issue in Darfur is only to be expected - in fact it is just about the last thing an Arab government is going to place on its list of foreign policy priorities - but what about Arab journalists, intellectuals, political activists and artists? How is their behaviour, particularly those whose job it is raise public awareness of such things on behalf of the United Nations, to be explained?
Turning a blind eye on the Darfur crisis
How can they justify their silence on events in Darfur? No explanation, no honestly expressed shock at what is happening in Darfur has been forthcoming. The only rent in this curtain of silence being the statement of 17 October 2006, when at least some few Arab intellectuals were prepared to express their disapproval of "the silence of the Arab world in the face of the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur." Read more >>>
Friday, February 23, 2007
Prosecutor to Present Evidence of Crimes in Darfur
Situation: Darfur, Sudan
On Tuesday, 27 February, Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo will submit evidence, in connection with named individuals, of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. The Prosecutor will file his evidence with the ICC judges and then brief the press. Please note the following schedule of press events:
14h00 hrs - Press Conference, ICC Media Centre. The Prosecutor will summarise his evidence, discussing the crimes and the named individuals, and answer questions from journalists.
To attend the press conference, journalists must apply for media accreditation from the ICC no later than Monday, 26 February at 12h00. (Please see instructions below.)
Eurovision will broadcast the live press conference internationally via satellite. Specific instructions on how to receive the transmission will be provided in a follow-up media advisory on Monday, 26 February. Read more >>>
On Tuesday, 27 February, Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo will submit evidence, in connection with named individuals, of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. The Prosecutor will file his evidence with the ICC judges and then brief the press. Please note the following schedule of press events:
14h00 hrs - Press Conference, ICC Media Centre. The Prosecutor will summarise his evidence, discussing the crimes and the named individuals, and answer questions from journalists.
To attend the press conference, journalists must apply for media accreditation from the ICC no later than Monday, 26 February at 12h00. (Please see instructions below.)
Eurovision will broadcast the live press conference internationally via satellite. Specific instructions on how to receive the transmission will be provided in a follow-up media advisory on Monday, 26 February. Read more >>>
Darfur's Humanitarian Crisis
Two examples: In Nyala, South Darfur, last month five U.N. staff members were badly beaten by police, and one female staff member was sexually assaulted. According to the U.N. report, this indicated "that those allocated to protect humanitarian workers, the government, were unable or unwilling to do so.”
On Dec. 18 in Gereida, South Darfur, targeted attacks were directed against six humanitarian compounds. All staff members were forced to withdraw and one was sexually assaulted. This withdrawal compromised the delivery of aid to over 130,000 displaced persons.
We were told that morale against humanitarian workers is at an all-time low. Humanitarian workers are becoming the objects of attacks, both from the rebel factions and the government. Read more >>>
On Dec. 18 in Gereida, South Darfur, targeted attacks were directed against six humanitarian compounds. All staff members were forced to withdraw and one was sexually assaulted. This withdrawal compromised the delivery of aid to over 130,000 displaced persons.
We were told that morale against humanitarian workers is at an all-time low. Humanitarian workers are becoming the objects of attacks, both from the rebel factions and the government. Read more >>>
The Darfur conflict: four years on
The Darfur conflict: four years on
The 23rd of February 2007 marks four years of brutal conflict between the Government of Sudan and rebel groups in the western region of Darfur. Throughout this time hundreds of thousands of people have died, with estimates of the mortality rate ranging from 200,000 to 400,000.
The violence has displaced over 2.5 million people from their homes. Those who have survived attacks on their villages have often sought refuge in the sprawling IDP camps that have multiplied in Darfur, or alternatively have tried to find shelter across the border in refugee camps in eastern Chad, also plagued by 'spillover' violence from Darfur. Read more >>>
The 23rd of February 2007 marks four years of brutal conflict between the Government of Sudan and rebel groups in the western region of Darfur. Throughout this time hundreds of thousands of people have died, with estimates of the mortality rate ranging from 200,000 to 400,000.
The violence has displaced over 2.5 million people from their homes. Those who have survived attacks on their villages have often sought refuge in the sprawling IDP camps that have multiplied in Darfur, or alternatively have tried to find shelter across the border in refugee camps in eastern Chad, also plagued by 'spillover' violence from Darfur. Read more >>>
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Khartoum Accommodated: US "Lowers the Bar" for Regime's Génocidaires
By: Eric Reeves
During a recent interview on PBS’s “NewsHour” (February 16, 2007), US special envoy for Sudan Andrew Natsios gave clear evidence of a Bush administration strategy to back away from meaningful efforts to pressure Khartoum over its continuing responsibility for genocidal destruction throughout Darfur and eastern Chad. In essence, the US effort is to “lower the bar” for Khartoum in complying with international “demands”---indeed, to lower the bar so far that short of all-out assaults on the displaced person camps, the regime will be judged to be performing acceptably. Such a strategy of course obviates the need to deploy the conspicuously vacuous “Plan B” Natsios threatened in late 2006 if Khartoum did not comply with various “demands” by January 1, 2007. This deadline has come and gone, and as The Washington Post has made clear (February 7, 2007), “Plan B” has so far entailed positioning four US Army colonels on the Chad/Darfur border and a threat to inconvenience Khartoum by obliging conversion of its various commercial enterprises (including oil exports) from dollar-denominated to Euro-denominated contracts. “Plan B” is a bluff, but one that won’t be revealed as such if never deployed.
Other elements of “Plan B” remain classified, according to Natsios during recent Congressional testimony. But Natsios’ implicit characterization of these classified elements of “Plan B” as military in nature is hardly supported by recent Congressional testimony from senior Pentagon officials:
“Senior US defense officials say they are not planning any military intervention to end the killing and suffering in Sudan’s Darfur region. Read more >>>
During a recent interview on PBS’s “NewsHour” (February 16, 2007), US special envoy for Sudan Andrew Natsios gave clear evidence of a Bush administration strategy to back away from meaningful efforts to pressure Khartoum over its continuing responsibility for genocidal destruction throughout Darfur and eastern Chad. In essence, the US effort is to “lower the bar” for Khartoum in complying with international “demands”---indeed, to lower the bar so far that short of all-out assaults on the displaced person camps, the regime will be judged to be performing acceptably. Such a strategy of course obviates the need to deploy the conspicuously vacuous “Plan B” Natsios threatened in late 2006 if Khartoum did not comply with various “demands” by January 1, 2007. This deadline has come and gone, and as The Washington Post has made clear (February 7, 2007), “Plan B” has so far entailed positioning four US Army colonels on the Chad/Darfur border and a threat to inconvenience Khartoum by obliging conversion of its various commercial enterprises (including oil exports) from dollar-denominated to Euro-denominated contracts. “Plan B” is a bluff, but one that won’t be revealed as such if never deployed.
Other elements of “Plan B” remain classified, according to Natsios during recent Congressional testimony. But Natsios’ implicit characterization of these classified elements of “Plan B” as military in nature is hardly supported by recent Congressional testimony from senior Pentagon officials:
“Senior US defense officials say they are not planning any military intervention to end the killing and suffering in Sudan’s Darfur region. Read more >>>
ICC to name Darfur war crimes suspects next week
By Emma Thomasson
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor will name the first suspects accused of committing war crimes in Sudan's Darfur region next Tuesday, the prosecutor's office said on Thursday.
Chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said in December his investigators had found evidence of rape, torture, murder and sexual violence in Darfur. His announcement is keenly awaited to see if he charges government figures as well as rebels.
Experts say around 200,000 people have been killed and about 2.5 million others driven from their homes in Darfur since 2003, when rebels took up arms against the government, charging it with neglect. Khartoum says only about 9,000 people have died.
"Moreno-Ocampo will submit evidence, in connection with named individuals, of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur," his office said in a statement, adding that the prosecutor would hold a news conference at 1300 GMT on February 27. Read more >>>
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor will name the first suspects accused of committing war crimes in Sudan's Darfur region next Tuesday, the prosecutor's office said on Thursday.
Chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said in December his investigators had found evidence of rape, torture, murder and sexual violence in Darfur. His announcement is keenly awaited to see if he charges government figures as well as rebels.
Experts say around 200,000 people have been killed and about 2.5 million others driven from their homes in Darfur since 2003, when rebels took up arms against the government, charging it with neglect. Khartoum says only about 9,000 people have died.
"Moreno-Ocampo will submit evidence, in connection with named individuals, of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur," his office said in a statement, adding that the prosecutor would hold a news conference at 1300 GMT on February 27. Read more >>>
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
AU says Janjaweed massing in Sudan
By Aziz el-Kaissouni
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Janjaweed militias have been concentrating forces to the north of el-Geneina, the capital of Sudan's West Darfur state, an African Union military source said on Tuesday, corroborating a U.N. report.
Janjaweed is the local name for militia forces drawn mainly from the nomadic Arab tribes of the area and blamed for much of the killing in Darfur over the past four years.
The AU source, who asked not to be named, said: "They are massing (north of el-Geneina) ... They have vehicles with machineguns on top and they're Janjaweed. We can't say what their intentions are." Read more >>>
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Janjaweed militias have been concentrating forces to the north of el-Geneina, the capital of Sudan's West Darfur state, an African Union military source said on Tuesday, corroborating a U.N. report.
Janjaweed is the local name for militia forces drawn mainly from the nomadic Arab tribes of the area and blamed for much of the killing in Darfur over the past four years.
The AU source, who asked not to be named, said: "They are massing (north of el-Geneina) ... They have vehicles with machineguns on top and they're Janjaweed. We can't say what their intentions are." Read more >>>
Natsios: ‘Chaos’ in Darfur Clouds Prospects for Political Solution
Interviewee: Andrew S. Natsios
Interviewer: Robert McMahon, Deputy Editor
The crisis in Darfur enters its fifth year with prospects for peace more remote than ever. A huge displaced population remains under threat from militias nominally controlled by the Sudanese government while the international community attempts to broker a settlement between Khartoum and rebel leaders in the area.
The U.S. special envoy assigned to help resolve the crisis, Andrew Natsios, says the situation could soon grow even more unstable as the central government loses control and rebel groups in the region splinter. But he says Washington will maintain pressure on Khartoum to protect noncombatants while trying to forge a political settlement, which he says “is the only way to put Darfur back together again.” Read more >>>
Interviewer: Robert McMahon, Deputy Editor
The crisis in Darfur enters its fifth year with prospects for peace more remote than ever. A huge displaced population remains under threat from militias nominally controlled by the Sudanese government while the international community attempts to broker a settlement between Khartoum and rebel leaders in the area.
The U.S. special envoy assigned to help resolve the crisis, Andrew Natsios, says the situation could soon grow even more unstable as the central government loses control and rebel groups in the region splinter. But he says Washington will maintain pressure on Khartoum to protect noncombatants while trying to forge a political settlement, which he says “is the only way to put Darfur back together again.” Read more >>>
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Nomads attack Darfur refugees
Violence now comes from neighbouring tribes, not janjaweed
GAGA, Chad - Fatma Daoud wrapped a plastic bag as a makeshift bandage around her hand, using a corner of her brightly colored robe to wipe the blood from the knife wound that had cut her to the bone.
The 36-year-old woman, a refugee from Sudan's war-torn Darfur, had left her camp in eastern Chad to gather firewood when she was attacked by young Chadian nomads.
"They were three boys, camel herders. They told me to stop collecting wood and then they stabbed me," Ms. Daoud said, calm despite the attack that had happened only minutes before outside the Gaga refugee camp. Read more >>>
GAGA, Chad - Fatma Daoud wrapped a plastic bag as a makeshift bandage around her hand, using a corner of her brightly colored robe to wipe the blood from the knife wound that had cut her to the bone.
The 36-year-old woman, a refugee from Sudan's war-torn Darfur, had left her camp in eastern Chad to gather firewood when she was attacked by young Chadian nomads.
"They were three boys, camel herders. They told me to stop collecting wood and then they stabbed me," Ms. Daoud said, calm despite the attack that had happened only minutes before outside the Gaga refugee camp. Read more >>>
More tough talk on Darfur, but no action
Simon Coveney*
The European Parliament, growing increasingly alarmed about the ongoing killings and increasing number of refugees in the Darfur region of Sudan, voted for a resolution on February 14 which calls on the international community to intervene – starting with the United Nations, which so far has only issued statements. Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu also called on the parliament to help stop the bloodshed.
The United States had set a January 1 deadline for Sudan to accept UN peacekeeping troops, which so far have not been allowed into the country, but that also was ignored by the Sudanese government, and observers sent to the country recently were not allowed in either.
Still, Simon Coveney, a Member of the European Parliament from Ireland, said he hoped some tough talk might spur the UN or somebody into doing something, even if the parliament has no authority to authorise troops. Read more >>>
The European Parliament, growing increasingly alarmed about the ongoing killings and increasing number of refugees in the Darfur region of Sudan, voted for a resolution on February 14 which calls on the international community to intervene – starting with the United Nations, which so far has only issued statements. Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu also called on the parliament to help stop the bloodshed.
The United States had set a January 1 deadline for Sudan to accept UN peacekeeping troops, which so far have not been allowed into the country, but that also was ignored by the Sudanese government, and observers sent to the country recently were not allowed in either.
Still, Simon Coveney, a Member of the European Parliament from Ireland, said he hoped some tough talk might spur the UN or somebody into doing something, even if the parliament has no authority to authorise troops. Read more >>>
Monday, February 12, 2007
Darfur is Holocaust of Africa
Jordan Ross
The systematic killing of more than 6 million Jewish and other minorities during the Holocaust has gone down in history as one of the most horrific and senseless acts of violence ever to occur.
Many Americans fail to realize that genocide is taking place once again overseas where casualties have the potential to surpass that of the Holocaust. Where is it taking place? Darfur, Sudan.
The perpetrator: the Janjaweed, a militant group of the Abbala.
Although the Sudanese government denies defending Janjaweed’s actions, it has given the group financial assistance as well as participated in joint attacks against the Fur, Zaghawa, and Massaleit in Darfur. Read more >>>
The systematic killing of more than 6 million Jewish and other minorities during the Holocaust has gone down in history as one of the most horrific and senseless acts of violence ever to occur.
Many Americans fail to realize that genocide is taking place once again overseas where casualties have the potential to surpass that of the Holocaust. Where is it taking place? Darfur, Sudan.
The perpetrator: the Janjaweed, a militant group of the Abbala.
Although the Sudanese government denies defending Janjaweed’s actions, it has given the group financial assistance as well as participated in joint attacks against the Fur, Zaghawa, and Massaleit in Darfur. Read more >>>
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Deserting Darfur
By Steven Emerson
As the genocide in the Darfur region of western Sudan continues unabated -- the United Nations conservatively estimates more than 200,000 dead and 2 million displaced in the conflict between the government-backed janjaweed militias and the mainly Muslim African tribespeople[1] -- the reaction of Western powers has been shamefully timid. But it seems downright heroic next to the disgraceful response of many self-proclaimed Muslim civil rights groups. Read more >>>
As the genocide in the Darfur region of western Sudan continues unabated -- the United Nations conservatively estimates more than 200,000 dead and 2 million displaced in the conflict between the government-backed janjaweed militias and the mainly Muslim African tribespeople[1] -- the reaction of Western powers has been shamefully timid. But it seems downright heroic next to the disgraceful response of many self-proclaimed Muslim civil rights groups. Read more >>>
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Sense of frustration on Darfur permeates Security Council
Listen to the News Transcript:
The UN Security Council has expressed frustration at the lack of action to halt violence in Darfur.
That's what US Ambassador Alejandro Wolfe told reporters following a closed door briefing by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. Ambassador Wolfe says a general sense of frustration was felt across the council:
"A sense that we've been dealing with this now for many, many months, we continue to find ourselves stymied by questions and stalling tactics on the part of the Sudan government." Read more >>>
The UN Security Council has expressed frustration at the lack of action to halt violence in Darfur.
That's what US Ambassador Alejandro Wolfe told reporters following a closed door briefing by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. Ambassador Wolfe says a general sense of frustration was felt across the council:
"A sense that we've been dealing with this now for many, many months, we continue to find ourselves stymied by questions and stalling tactics on the part of the Sudan government." Read more >>>
Saturday, February 03, 2007
GENOCIDE IN DARFUR CAN BE STOPPED
by Andrew McGregor
LOS ANGELES--Author and former State Department official John Prendergast gave a speech at USC’s law school laying out a three-point plan to halt the genocide in Darfur that does not military intervention.
Speaking to a packed auditorium, Prendergast noted that, "between 1 and 500 thousand people have died, but we don’t know exactly because we don’t care enough to know." He later emphasized that, "the crisis is intensifying."
According to Prendergast, "they are starving hundreds of thousands of people to death, and the only defense for this is humanitarian aid." However, the aid agencies are suffering from similar measures that were enacted against the people of Darfur.
European sponsored aid agencies in neighboring Chad are being coerced to withdrawal as the conflict pours over the border. “The Female European employees have been targeted, they attacked them and sexually assaulted them.” The consequence of this can be devastating as, "every time one of these groups leaves hundreds of thousands of people may starve," he said.
In order to stop the genocide Prendergast proposed what he called "targeted" sanctions that function as part of a three-tiered system. The sanctions would include boycotts of specific Sudanese-based oil companies that have international holdings, asset freezes and travel restrictions on senior level officials, and cooperation and support of the International Criminal Court to level indictments. Read more >>>
LOS ANGELES--Author and former State Department official John Prendergast gave a speech at USC’s law school laying out a three-point plan to halt the genocide in Darfur that does not military intervention.
Speaking to a packed auditorium, Prendergast noted that, "between 1 and 500 thousand people have died, but we don’t know exactly because we don’t care enough to know." He later emphasized that, "the crisis is intensifying."
According to Prendergast, "they are starving hundreds of thousands of people to death, and the only defense for this is humanitarian aid." However, the aid agencies are suffering from similar measures that were enacted against the people of Darfur.
European sponsored aid agencies in neighboring Chad are being coerced to withdrawal as the conflict pours over the border. “The Female European employees have been targeted, they attacked them and sexually assaulted them.” The consequence of this can be devastating as, "every time one of these groups leaves hundreds of thousands of people may starve," he said.
In order to stop the genocide Prendergast proposed what he called "targeted" sanctions that function as part of a three-tiered system. The sanctions would include boycotts of specific Sudanese-based oil companies that have international holdings, asset freezes and travel restrictions on senior level officials, and cooperation and support of the International Criminal Court to level indictments. Read more >>>
Friday, February 02, 2007
Who Says 'Save Darfur?'
by Joe Mariani
There is no doubt that Darfur, the western part of Sudan, is in a horrible situation. Members of the Janjaweed milita, a radical Muslim group supported by Sudan's Arab government, roam the land killing, raping, burning and pillaging. About two million people -- blacks, either non-Muslims or not Muslim enough to suit the militias -- have fled their homes for refugee camps, where they are brutalised and terrorised on a daily basis. Read more >>>
There is no doubt that Darfur, the western part of Sudan, is in a horrible situation. Members of the Janjaweed milita, a radical Muslim group supported by Sudan's Arab government, roam the land killing, raping, burning and pillaging. About two million people -- blacks, either non-Muslims or not Muslim enough to suit the militias -- have fled their homes for refugee camps, where they are brutalised and terrorised on a daily basis. Read more >>>
Darfur on camera
Do you know what western Sudan looks like? Want to hear what people in Darfur have to say? Have you seen how big a camp for displaced people looks from the air? Ever been inside an aid-worker's office in one of the harshest places on earth?
Two non-governmental organisations have made short films about something you rarely see on TV. Read more >>>
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Desmond Tutu wants AU Summit to act on Darfur crisis
- PANA. South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu has appealed to African leaders attending the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to subject the Sudanese government to tough and effective sanctions.
Tutu said in a statement released here Monday that the government of Sudan "continues to act with impunity and must now be subjected to tough and effective sanctions until the suffering ends."
"Sudan's President Mr Bashir longs to be given the AU's presidency. The AU cannot allow itself to comfort the oppressor. I appeal to those leaders meeting at the AU summit to stand up to tyranny and stand by the people of Darfur," Tutu said.
"The Africa Union has before it a stark choice on Darfur. Be bold and stand by the people of Africa or be weak and stand by the politicians who are making that corner of Africa a graveyard," he stated.
Tutu who noted that the level of human suffering over the past month has hugely increased, claimed that the limited succour that the UN and the aid agencies can offer in Darfur is on the verge of collapse.
"If the AU allows this to continue and the aid effort breaks down then there will soon be no help for the hundred of thousands who have fled their homes.
"This is a matter of utmost urgency. The people of Darfur need action in weeks not months. They have suffered terribly, and they cannot wait any longer."
Tutu charged that the Sudanese government and other parties to the conflict treat the AU peace monitors with contempt and they fail to comply with the promises they make to stop the killing. Read more >>>
Tutu said in a statement released here Monday that the government of Sudan "continues to act with impunity and must now be subjected to tough and effective sanctions until the suffering ends."
"Sudan's President Mr Bashir longs to be given the AU's presidency. The AU cannot allow itself to comfort the oppressor. I appeal to those leaders meeting at the AU summit to stand up to tyranny and stand by the people of Darfur," Tutu said.
"The Africa Union has before it a stark choice on Darfur. Be bold and stand by the people of Africa or be weak and stand by the politicians who are making that corner of Africa a graveyard," he stated.
Tutu who noted that the level of human suffering over the past month has hugely increased, claimed that the limited succour that the UN and the aid agencies can offer in Darfur is on the verge of collapse.
"If the AU allows this to continue and the aid effort breaks down then there will soon be no help for the hundred of thousands who have fled their homes.
"This is a matter of utmost urgency. The people of Darfur need action in weeks not months. They have suffered terribly, and they cannot wait any longer."
Tutu charged that the Sudanese government and other parties to the conflict treat the AU peace monitors with contempt and they fail to comply with the promises they make to stop the killing. Read more >>>
Darfur: Populations Displaced by Violence Remain Isolated and Deprived of Assistance
– Since late December 2006, new attacks in west Darfur, Sudan, have destroyed several villages and have led to the displacement of thousands of people. Displaced persons have found refuge in Ardamata and Dorti camps, situated on the outskirts of El Geneina, the capital of west Darfur, while other people remain blocked further north in Tanjeke.
While some 750 families—more than 5,000 persons—have so far been able to reach the Ardamata and Dorti camps, numerous others have been left behind and remain at the mercy of armed groups still active in the region. In the village of Tanjeke, located 30 km north of El Geneina, at least one thousand families are gathered in small, individual shelters made of grass and leaves that lack adequate roofs. The displaced persons also lack water and soon will be in need of food. People are mostly coming from the camps of Artega and Kouta and are on the run for the second time in less than three years. On January 19, a Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) evaluation team was able to reach Tanjeke, but high levels of insecurity on the road have prevented any further intervention. This highly volatile environment leaves the already weakened displaced population without much needed assistance. Read more >>>
While some 750 families—more than 5,000 persons—have so far been able to reach the Ardamata and Dorti camps, numerous others have been left behind and remain at the mercy of armed groups still active in the region. In the village of Tanjeke, located 30 km north of El Geneina, at least one thousand families are gathered in small, individual shelters made of grass and leaves that lack adequate roofs. The displaced persons also lack water and soon will be in need of food. People are mostly coming from the camps of Artega and Kouta and are on the run for the second time in less than three years. On January 19, a Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) evaluation team was able to reach Tanjeke, but high levels of insecurity on the road have prevented any further intervention. This highly volatile environment leaves the already weakened displaced population without much needed assistance. Read more >>>
Monday, January 29, 2007
Protesters raise tents, awareness of genocide
By Gretel Sarmiento
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
BOCA RATON — The cease-fire and peace agreements have done little to stop the violence, murders and rapes in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Though Darfur stands for "land of the Fur," for the last three years its name has been synonymous with "genocide."
The Save Darfur Coalitions of south, central and north Palm Beach County are not giving up. About 300 people attended an awareness rally at Temple Beth El Sunday. Their goal: to stop the genocide in Africa's largest country. Read more >>>
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
BOCA RATON — The cease-fire and peace agreements have done little to stop the violence, murders and rapes in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Though Darfur stands for "land of the Fur," for the last three years its name has been synonymous with "genocide."
The Save Darfur Coalitions of south, central and north Palm Beach County are not giving up. About 300 people attended an awareness rally at Temple Beth El Sunday. Their goal: to stop the genocide in Africa's largest country. Read more >>>
The people of Darfur need you!
by Lauren A.-Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team
"Don't be distracted
Don't turn away
Don't be overwhelmed
Don't be too busy
Don't delay...
Darfur can't wait."
Those are the powerful words of actress Meryl Streep, in a short video on Darfur.
Please click here Video to watch the video, and then sign a petition to US Special Envoy for Sudan, Andrew Natsios, urging him to support the work of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Sudan and neighboring Chad.
Since 2003, violence, war, and disease have killed in excess of 200,000 people. Another 2 million – mostly women and children - have been forced to flee their homes. Read more >>>
"Don't be distracted
Don't turn away
Don't be overwhelmed
Don't be too busy
Don't delay...
Darfur can't wait."
Those are the powerful words of actress Meryl Streep, in a short video on Darfur.
Please click here Video to watch the video, and then sign a petition to US Special Envoy for Sudan, Andrew Natsios, urging him to support the work of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Sudan and neighboring Chad.
Since 2003, violence, war, and disease have killed in excess of 200,000 people. Another 2 million – mostly women and children - have been forced to flee their homes. Read more >>>
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Darfur genocide linked to state pensions
Polly Ross Hughes
Austin Bureau
AUSTIN — State pension funds would be required to divest holdings in companies fueling ongoing genocide in Sudan's Darfur region under bipartisan legislation lawmakers plan to unveil today.
The "Stop the Darfur Genocide Act," filed by Democratic Sen. Rodney Ellis and Republican Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale, both of Houston, claims broad-based support, uniting liberal advocates with social conservatives.
"It's such a compelling case that's killed more than 400,000 people and displaced 2.5 million," Ellis said Tuesday of the four-year-old strife, which the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian disaster.
"The U.S. government has declared these ongoing atrocities to be genocide," Ellis said. "One would be hard-pressed not to understand the moral implications of being on the wrong side of calling for divestment." Read more >>>
Austin Bureau
AUSTIN — State pension funds would be required to divest holdings in companies fueling ongoing genocide in Sudan's Darfur region under bipartisan legislation lawmakers plan to unveil today.
The "Stop the Darfur Genocide Act," filed by Democratic Sen. Rodney Ellis and Republican Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale, both of Houston, claims broad-based support, uniting liberal advocates with social conservatives.
"It's such a compelling case that's killed more than 400,000 people and displaced 2.5 million," Ellis said Tuesday of the four-year-old strife, which the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian disaster.
"The U.S. government has declared these ongoing atrocities to be genocide," Ellis said. "One would be hard-pressed not to understand the moral implications of being on the wrong side of calling for divestment." Read more >>>
Darfur: Genocide lost in the shuffle of daily life
By: Professor Samuel Totten
The latest report out of Darfur, Sudan, where genocide has been in progress since late 2003, is that the crisis has radically increased in violence and that international observers fear that if something is not done soon to halt the Sudanese governments' attacks on internally displaced and refugee camps, the situation might degenerate into a full blown genocide in which the black Africans of Darfur are wiped out.
After all of the hand-wringing over the lack of action to halt the Nazi Holocaust (1933-1945), the Khmer Rouge-perpetrated genocide in Cambodia (1975-1978), and the Rwandan genocide (1994), and the genocide in Srebrenica (1995), it is horrifically disconcerting that the international community (made up of individual nations, yes, but also individual citizens such as you and me) has done so very little to halt the genocide in Darfur. Read more >>>
The latest report out of Darfur, Sudan, where genocide has been in progress since late 2003, is that the crisis has radically increased in violence and that international observers fear that if something is not done soon to halt the Sudanese governments' attacks on internally displaced and refugee camps, the situation might degenerate into a full blown genocide in which the black Africans of Darfur are wiped out.
After all of the hand-wringing over the lack of action to halt the Nazi Holocaust (1933-1945), the Khmer Rouge-perpetrated genocide in Cambodia (1975-1978), and the Rwandan genocide (1994), and the genocide in Srebrenica (1995), it is horrifically disconcerting that the international community (made up of individual nations, yes, but also individual citizens such as you and me) has done so very little to halt the genocide in Darfur. Read more >>>
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Who will stop Darfur killings?
SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY NAT HENTOFF NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATION
In the closing days of last year, President Bush sent a message to Sudan’s commander in chief, Gen. Omar Hassan al-Bashir, that if he did not accept the United Nations plan to end the genocide in Darfur by Jan. 1, there would be consequences. Bush’s special envoy to Sudan, Andrew Natsios, said that if al-Bashir continued to stonewall, the Bush administration would implement “Plan B.” However, “Plan B” is classified, so we don’t know the details.
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1706 called for a U.N. force of 20,000 to supplement the African Union’s brave but inadequate force of 7,000 in Darfur. By Jan. 1, al-Bashir had not accepted the plan or Bush’s ultimatum. On Jan. 9, The Associated Press reported: “The U.N., the AU and international aid groups say Khartoum (Sudan’s government) is massively arming the Janjaweed (Gen. al-Bashir’s killers and rapists), and the paramilitary has recently carried out several deadly raids against civilians with the regular army’s support.”
YOUR MONEY OR YOUR CHILD
Every world leader knows of the massive crimes committed by the Janjaweed in Darfur and now in neighboring Chad. Before he left Sudan recently, Jan Egeland, U.N. coordinator for humanitarian affairs, told National Public Radio (Dec. 1), “I saw a mother who sat with her child at a hospital. There was a bullet wound through the child’s neck. An armed Janjaweed militiaman said, ‘I will shoot your child unless you give me money.’ They had no money, so he shot the child.” Read more >>>
In the closing days of last year, President Bush sent a message to Sudan’s commander in chief, Gen. Omar Hassan al-Bashir, that if he did not accept the United Nations plan to end the genocide in Darfur by Jan. 1, there would be consequences. Bush’s special envoy to Sudan, Andrew Natsios, said that if al-Bashir continued to stonewall, the Bush administration would implement “Plan B.” However, “Plan B” is classified, so we don’t know the details.
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1706 called for a U.N. force of 20,000 to supplement the African Union’s brave but inadequate force of 7,000 in Darfur. By Jan. 1, al-Bashir had not accepted the plan or Bush’s ultimatum. On Jan. 9, The Associated Press reported: “The U.N., the AU and international aid groups say Khartoum (Sudan’s government) is massively arming the Janjaweed (Gen. al-Bashir’s killers and rapists), and the paramilitary has recently carried out several deadly raids against civilians with the regular army’s support.”
YOUR MONEY OR YOUR CHILD
Every world leader knows of the massive crimes committed by the Janjaweed in Darfur and now in neighboring Chad. Before he left Sudan recently, Jan Egeland, U.N. coordinator for humanitarian affairs, told National Public Radio (Dec. 1), “I saw a mother who sat with her child at a hospital. There was a bullet wound through the child’s neck. An armed Janjaweed militiaman said, ‘I will shoot your child unless you give me money.’ They had no money, so he shot the child.” Read more >>>
Thousands flee Darfur attacks
- Recent attacks on villages in the Sudanese state of West Darfur have forced up to 5,000 people to flee their homes and seek refuge in two camps around El Geneina, a nongovernmental organisation working in the volatile area said.
Medair-Switzerland said about 500 households were reported to have arrived in Ardamatta Camp, and another 300 in Durti Camp, having fled their homes with very little during the peak of the cold season. Many of the displaced civilians, it added, had spent nights huddled inside rough shelters made of leaves and grass, without even blankets to protect them from the elements. Some suffered injuries while fleeing their villages.
"There has been an influx of newly displaced people arriving in [the] two camps," Medair noted in a statement, saying its technicians were extending water to the newcomers while its health workers had opened another temporary clinic in Ardamatta to focus on the specific health needs of the newly displaced. Read more >>>
Medair-Switzerland said about 500 households were reported to have arrived in Ardamatta Camp, and another 300 in Durti Camp, having fled their homes with very little during the peak of the cold season. Many of the displaced civilians, it added, had spent nights huddled inside rough shelters made of leaves and grass, without even blankets to protect them from the elements. Some suffered injuries while fleeing their villages.
"There has been an influx of newly displaced people arriving in [the] two camps," Medair noted in a statement, saying its technicians were extending water to the newcomers while its health workers had opened another temporary clinic in Ardamatta to focus on the specific health needs of the newly displaced. Read more >>>
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Facing genocide in Darfur
By Cynthia Neff
cneff@thetribunenews.com
Jeremy Riddell-Kaufman wants the conflict in Darfur to cease — and he hopes showing the world just how many people have suffered because of it will be the first step.
The 19-year-old Cal Poly freshman created a group on a social-networking Web site to collect the photos of 400,000 faces — one for every person killed so far in the Sudan conflict. Read more >>>
cneff@thetribunenews.com
Jeremy Riddell-Kaufman wants the conflict in Darfur to cease — and he hopes showing the world just how many people have suffered because of it will be the first step.
The 19-year-old Cal Poly freshman created a group on a social-networking Web site to collect the photos of 400,000 faces — one for every person killed so far in the Sudan conflict. Read more >>>
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Demonstration in front of European parliament
European and Belgian parliamentarians will lead demonstration on January 21st, 2006 in front of the European Parliament to urge European governments to act actively towards providing urgent international protection to the people of Darfur. Several humanitarian organizations will take part on this day, among which are the following:
1) Save Darfur Coalition
2) Darfur Relief and Documentation Centre
3) Darfur Peace and Justice
4) Darfur Call
5) Darfur Association (Belgium)
6) Darfur Association (France)
For more information, contact:
+32 485698155 (Belgium)
+32 472372137 (Belgium)
+41 7973797497 (Switzerland)
+31 642330058 (Netherlands)
+33 661954614 (France)
1) Save Darfur Coalition
2) Darfur Relief and Documentation Centre
3) Darfur Peace and Justice
4) Darfur Call
5) Darfur Association (Belgium)
6) Darfur Association (France)
For more information, contact:
+32 485698155 (Belgium)
+32 472372137 (Belgium)
+41 7973797497 (Switzerland)
+31 642330058 (Netherlands)
+33 661954614 (France)
Darfur: 3 villages in West Darfur - Bir Dageeg, Sirba and Abu Suruj fear for safety
The government-backed Janjawid militia have threatened to attack three villages in West Darfur which they apparently believe are supporting anti-government forces. On 15 January, Janjawid gunmen reportedly warned villagers out searching for firewood that if they did not leave their village within 72 hours they would be attacked. As they fled to neighbouring villages, carrying their valuables, the Janjawid robbed some of them. The Janjawid are now reportedly also planning to attack two other nearby villages, and have been gathering near each village. An attack will likely result in civilian deaths.
Although the African Union (AU) peacekeepers in Darfur have a mandate to protect civilians, they have frequently failed to do so even when informed of impending attacks on civilians. Read more >>>
Although the African Union (AU) peacekeepers in Darfur have a mandate to protect civilians, they have frequently failed to do so even when informed of impending attacks on civilians. Read more >>>
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
SIGN THE URGENCE DARFUR DECLERATION AND PASS IT AROUND
I hereby demand the European Union, under the current Union presidency of Mrs. Angela Merkel, as well as every European Government, to act now on Darfur and through the Security Council of the United Nations in order to :
1. assure that a United Nations force of 20,000 men will be sent to Darfur as required by Security Council resolution 1706
2. establish a no fly zone in Darfur
3. support measures aimed at putting economic pressure on the Sudanese government to comply with UN resolutions, particularly by targeting income from oil sales
4. To penalize members of the Sudanese government involved in the conflict, by freezing their earnings and limiting their travel
5. To encourage the creation of an international compensation funds for the victims of Darfur, which would be managed by the UN
6. To call on the International Criminal Court to continue and extend its current investigations on crimes against humanity already committed in Darfur.
Only the entries with * are obligatory : click the following link:
Darfur: worsening security could irreversibly damage aid efforts for millions – UN warns
– Mounting violence in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region, repeated military attacks, arbitrary bombing of villages and the targeting of aid workers threaten to permanently disrupt the fragile lifeline ensuring the survival of millions of people, the United Nations warned today, noting that relief access in December was the worst in nearly three years.
"If this situation continues, the humanitarian operation and welfare of the population it aims to support will be irreversibly jeopardized," 13 UN bodies involved in the relief efforts said in a joint statement, calling for protection for civilians and humanitarian workers and an end to impunity for perpetrators of human rights abuses. Read more >>>
"If this situation continues, the humanitarian operation and welfare of the population it aims to support will be irreversibly jeopardized," 13 UN bodies involved in the relief efforts said in a joint statement, calling for protection for civilians and humanitarian workers and an end to impunity for perpetrators of human rights abuses. Read more >>>
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Sudan govt bombs area in Darfur despite truce
By Opheera McDoom
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudanese government planes bombed Darfur rebel areas on Tuesday despite a declared truce, rebels said.
"The Antonovs bombed our areas of Amrai and Anka," Darfur rebel commander Jar el-Neby told Reuters from North Darfur, near the affected areas.
He said it was not immediately clear whether any civilians were killed but said dozens of cattle died in the bombardment.
An army spokesman denied the bombing. "No Sudanese planes have moved in Darfur or in Chad in the past two days," he said.
Chadian officials on Monday said Sudanese military aircraft had violated Chad's air space. Read more >>>
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudanese government planes bombed Darfur rebel areas on Tuesday despite a declared truce, rebels said.
"The Antonovs bombed our areas of Amrai and Anka," Darfur rebel commander Jar el-Neby told Reuters from North Darfur, near the affected areas.
He said it was not immediately clear whether any civilians were killed but said dozens of cattle died in the bombardment.
An army spokesman denied the bombing. "No Sudanese planes have moved in Darfur or in Chad in the past two days," he said.
Chadian officials on Monday said Sudanese military aircraft had violated Chad's air space. Read more >>>
Monday, January 15, 2007
A Tragedy Without End
The deteriorating security situation and Khartoum’s intransigence are sustaining genocide by attrition in Darfur
By Eric Reeves
Almost incomprehensibly, the humanitarian crisis in Darfur continues to deepen, threatening the lives of more than 4.5 million people now characterized by the UN as “conflict-affected.” Security throughout the humanitarian theater, including much of eastern Chad, is deteriorating badly. Acutely vulnerable aid operations now operate amidst intolerable levels of danger, even as these operations alone can avert cataclysmic human destruction within populations terribly weakened by four years of genocidal counter-insurgency warfare. Hundreds of thousands of civilians will die if there is no significant improvement in current security conditions.
More than 1 million human beings have no access to basic humanitarian assistance---food, primary medical care, and provision of clean water. Oxfam International reported in late December that more than a third of Darfur’s conflict-affected population was “effectively out of bounds to aid agencies.” This grim news came as UNICEF reported that nutritional studies revealed “over 70% of the population is experiencing food insecurity”; localized studies found acute malnutrition affecting 20% of children under five. The mortality rate within this most vulnerable population is certainly very high wherever humanitarian assistance is unavailable.
There were eight emergency evacuations of threatened humanitarian workers in December alone, involving 400 personnel at various locations throughout Darfur. The same number of personnel were evacuated from aid operations in eastern Chad, the scene of rapidly accelerating ethnic violence, most of it by Khartoum’s Janjaweed militia proxies or Chadian rebel groups supported by the National Islamic Front regime. Read more >>>
By Eric Reeves
Almost incomprehensibly, the humanitarian crisis in Darfur continues to deepen, threatening the lives of more than 4.5 million people now characterized by the UN as “conflict-affected.” Security throughout the humanitarian theater, including much of eastern Chad, is deteriorating badly. Acutely vulnerable aid operations now operate amidst intolerable levels of danger, even as these operations alone can avert cataclysmic human destruction within populations terribly weakened by four years of genocidal counter-insurgency warfare. Hundreds of thousands of civilians will die if there is no significant improvement in current security conditions.
More than 1 million human beings have no access to basic humanitarian assistance---food, primary medical care, and provision of clean water. Oxfam International reported in late December that more than a third of Darfur’s conflict-affected population was “effectively out of bounds to aid agencies.” This grim news came as UNICEF reported that nutritional studies revealed “over 70% of the population is experiencing food insecurity”; localized studies found acute malnutrition affecting 20% of children under five. The mortality rate within this most vulnerable population is certainly very high wherever humanitarian assistance is unavailable.
There were eight emergency evacuations of threatened humanitarian workers in December alone, involving 400 personnel at various locations throughout Darfur. The same number of personnel were evacuated from aid operations in eastern Chad, the scene of rapidly accelerating ethnic violence, most of it by Khartoum’s Janjaweed militia proxies or Chadian rebel groups supported by the National Islamic Front regime. Read more >>>
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Darfur would need peacekeepers even after deal - EU
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Peacekeepers will be needed in Sudan's Darfur region years after any political settlement as even the government has created forces it cannot control, a senior European Union official said on Saturday.
EU special representative for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, appealed for a ceasefire and said the rebels needed to reach a unified position before any political process could restart.
"I have a feeling there is a need for a long-term peacekeeping force even if there is a political settlement with the government," he told reporters in Khartoum.
"Even the government has created forces that it cannot control and this just indicates just how deep the problems are we have in Darfur." Read more >>>
EU special representative for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, appealed for a ceasefire and said the rebels needed to reach a unified position before any political process could restart.
"I have a feeling there is a need for a long-term peacekeeping force even if there is a political settlement with the government," he told reporters in Khartoum.
"Even the government has created forces that it cannot control and this just indicates just how deep the problems are we have in Darfur." Read more >>>
Sudan leader 'a liar'
By Jonathan Erasmus in Darfur, Sunday Telegraph
Darfur rebels have branded Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir a liar, after his claims last week that the government had secured a ceasefire in the country's war-torn western region.
President Bashir said the government had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire with rebel forces as part of an effort to resolve the crisis in Darfur, where thousands of people have lost their lives in a campaign of ethnic cleansing.
But, speaking exclusively to The Sunday Telegraph, Abdalla Banda, a National Redemption Front rebel commander, said: "We have not agreed any such ceasefire with the government. We have not even taken part in any negotiations for a 60-day ceasefire. Al-Bashir is lying. He is claiming there is a ceasefire only to keep out the United Nations troops." Read more >>>
Darfur rebels have branded Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir a liar, after his claims last week that the government had secured a ceasefire in the country's war-torn western region.
President Bashir said the government had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire with rebel forces as part of an effort to resolve the crisis in Darfur, where thousands of people have lost their lives in a campaign of ethnic cleansing.
But, speaking exclusively to The Sunday Telegraph, Abdalla Banda, a National Redemption Front rebel commander, said: "We have not agreed any such ceasefire with the government. We have not even taken part in any negotiations for a 60-day ceasefire. Al-Bashir is lying. He is claiming there is a ceasefire only to keep out the United Nations troops." Read more >>>
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Who Will Turn the Tide in Darfur?
The Darfur conflict rages at a time when the world has in the past couple of decades said "never again" in response to genocides in Europe, Cambodia and Rwanda. Like in the case of massive slaughters in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Ethiopia, Angola, Northern Uganda, Mozambique, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, the Darfur genocide has attracted very little international support.
In its December 2005 report titled "Entrenching Impunity: Government Responsibility for International Crimes in Darfur" Human Rights Watch (HRW) establishes that chains of command for military operations -- as well as recruitment, supply, and direction of the Janjaweed -- lead directly to the most senior members of the National Islamic Front (NIF). President (and Commander-in-Chief) Omar el-Bashir; Second Vice-President (and still arguably the most powerful political figure in Sudan) Ali Osman Taha; the head of Khartoum's viciously efficient security and intelligence services, Major General Saleh Abdallah "Gosh"; Minister of Defense Abdul Rahim Mohamed Hussein; Major General Bakri Hassan Salih, minister for presidential affairs and Abbas Arabi, chief of staff of the Sudanese Armed Forces.
"Since early 2003, the leadership in Khartoum has relied on civilian administration, the Sudanese military and Janjaweed militias to implement a counterinsurgency policy that deliberately and systematically targeted civilians in violation of international law. Read more >>>
In its December 2005 report titled "Entrenching Impunity: Government Responsibility for International Crimes in Darfur" Human Rights Watch (HRW) establishes that chains of command for military operations -- as well as recruitment, supply, and direction of the Janjaweed -- lead directly to the most senior members of the National Islamic Front (NIF). President (and Commander-in-Chief) Omar el-Bashir; Second Vice-President (and still arguably the most powerful political figure in Sudan) Ali Osman Taha; the head of Khartoum's viciously efficient security and intelligence services, Major General Saleh Abdallah "Gosh"; Minister of Defense Abdul Rahim Mohamed Hussein; Major General Bakri Hassan Salih, minister for presidential affairs and Abbas Arabi, chief of staff of the Sudanese Armed Forces.
"Since early 2003, the leadership in Khartoum has relied on civilian administration, the Sudanese military and Janjaweed militias to implement a counterinsurgency policy that deliberately and systematically targeted civilians in violation of international law. Read more >>>
We must demand action on Darfur
Fast forward to 2007, Darfur: Its endless graveyards are evidence of crimes against humanity. Burned villages are becoming permanent reminders of what has transpired under our watch. Refugees’ faces tell stories of unspeakable horror.
But, for Darfur, the tides are turning. World leaders and celebrities alike are speaking out. United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon has called the situation “unacceptable.” The UN Human Rights Council held a special session on Darfur. Sudan is feeling the pressure. In short, we’re moving closer to putting UN peacekeepers on the ground to strengthen civilian protection.
We are at a critical moment. It’s time Canadian students united to pressure our government to take concrete steps to bring an end to the killing in Darfur. After four years of inaction, over 200,000 dead and millions displaced, we need to take a stand. “Never Again” means never again. Read more >>>
But, for Darfur, the tides are turning. World leaders and celebrities alike are speaking out. United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon has called the situation “unacceptable.” The UN Human Rights Council held a special session on Darfur. Sudan is feeling the pressure. In short, we’re moving closer to putting UN peacekeepers on the ground to strengthen civilian protection.
We are at a critical moment. It’s time Canadian students united to pressure our government to take concrete steps to bring an end to the killing in Darfur. After four years of inaction, over 200,000 dead and millions displaced, we need to take a stand. “Never Again” means never again. Read more >>>
Darfur: The Tragedy Deepens
By Gary Lane
- After nearly four years of violence, homelessness and death, the suffering in Darfur, Sudan continues with no quick end in sight.
Former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said, "Can the international community, having not done enough for the people of Rwanda in their time of need, just watch as this tragedy deepens?"
"It's very clear that we're heading towards the abyss, and it's very clear that now is the time for action," said U.N. Undersecretary General Jan Egeland. Read more >>>
- After nearly four years of violence, homelessness and death, the suffering in Darfur, Sudan continues with no quick end in sight.
Former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said, "Can the international community, having not done enough for the people of Rwanda in their time of need, just watch as this tragedy deepens?"
"It's very clear that we're heading towards the abyss, and it's very clear that now is the time for action," said U.N. Undersecretary General Jan Egeland. Read more >>>
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
The shadow of a mountain: Both refuge and darkness for people displaced by conflict in Darfur
By Charlotte Brudenell, ACT-Caritas field communicator
Nertiti, Jebel Marra, January 10, 2007-As the sun rises from behind the mountain, boys in long, white shirts, known as "jelabia," hurry through the streets of Nertiti, kicking up the dust with their feet.
The healthy chatter of their youthful voices fills the quiet of a town where the common mode of transportation is either donkey or foot. (The only motorized vehicles that venture off the main tarmac road are those of humanitarian agencies, government authorities or armed forces).
The boys are hurrying to get to school on time. In the yard, those who arrive late for morning assembly try to strategically dodge past the teacher standing at the gate.
"I want to learn so that I can help develop my country and help my mother and my community by getting a job," says 15-year-old Abaker, a student at the school. Read more >>>
Nertiti, Jebel Marra, January 10, 2007-As the sun rises from behind the mountain, boys in long, white shirts, known as "jelabia," hurry through the streets of Nertiti, kicking up the dust with their feet.
The healthy chatter of their youthful voices fills the quiet of a town where the common mode of transportation is either donkey or foot. (The only motorized vehicles that venture off the main tarmac road are those of humanitarian agencies, government authorities or armed forces).
The boys are hurrying to get to school on time. In the yard, those who arrive late for morning assembly try to strategically dodge past the teacher standing at the gate.
"I want to learn so that I can help develop my country and help my mother and my community by getting a job," says 15-year-old Abaker, a student at the school. Read more >>>
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Insecurity, Displacement Escalate in Eastern Chad
By Lisa Schlein
Refugees at the Goz-Amir camp, eastern Chad, demonstrate during UN High Commissioner for Refugees visit, asking for more security
The U.N. refugee agency says it remains extremely concerned over the security situation in eastern Chad where there are now more than 220,000 Darfur refugees from neighboring Sudan and over 100,000 internally displaced Chadians. It says some 20,000 Chadians have been uprooted within the past three weeks. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from UNHCR headquarters in Geneva.
The U.N. refugee agency says there has been a decrease in fighting between the Chadian army and opposition forces. But, it says inter-communal conflict continues in southeastern parts of the country near the border with Sudan's Darfur region. Read more >>>
Monday, January 08, 2007
Tragedy in Darfur
The United Nations calls the situation in Darfur the "worst humanitarian crisis in world."
The violence in this region, which is located in the western part of Sudan, has taken hundreds of thousands of lives and left millions homeless.
The estimates are that between 200,000 and 400,000 people are now dead; more than 2.5 million have been forced out of their homes.
And the situation keeps getting worse. Read more >>>
Darfur violence takes toll on aid workers
Noel King
In recent weeks, violence has flared again in the western Sudanese region of Darfur, forcing the largest-scale evacuation of humanitarian workers since aid operations in the war-torn area began in 2004.
More than 400 staff members from the United Nations and NGOs were moved from conflict zones last month due to rising insecurity. They included employees from Irish aid group Goal.
"For three years we have begged the international community to send in an international peacekeeping force to protect innocent civilians and keep the aid channels open," said Goal founder John O'Shea in a press statement following the withdrawal. Read more >>>
In recent weeks, violence has flared again in the western Sudanese region of Darfur, forcing the largest-scale evacuation of humanitarian workers since aid operations in the war-torn area began in 2004.
More than 400 staff members from the United Nations and NGOs were moved from conflict zones last month due to rising insecurity. They included employees from Irish aid group Goal.
"For three years we have begged the international community to send in an international peacekeeping force to protect innocent civilians and keep the aid channels open," said Goal founder John O'Shea in a press statement following the withdrawal. Read more >>>
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Sudan orders air strikes on Darfur before arrival of UN peacekeepers
By Jonathan Erasmus in Darfur, Sunday Telegraph
The Sudanese government has unleashed a fresh aerial bombing campaign in Darfur in an attempt to inflict as much damage as possible on rebel forces before United Nations troops arrive in the region.
Antonov bombers and helicopter gunships are reported to have attacked villages and fired on civilians in open defiance of UN efforts to bring an end to the fighting.
The attacks are in breach of UN Security Council resolution 1591, passed in March 2005, forbidding "offensive military flights in and over the Darfur region". The new surge of attacks is targeting rebel strongholds throughout Darfur, where militias have secured key territories.
The African Union force commander, Major Gen Luke Aprezi, confirmed the attacks and said... Read more >>>
The Sudanese government has unleashed a fresh aerial bombing campaign in Darfur in an attempt to inflict as much damage as possible on rebel forces before United Nations troops arrive in the region.
Antonov bombers and helicopter gunships are reported to have attacked villages and fired on civilians in open defiance of UN efforts to bring an end to the fighting.
The attacks are in breach of UN Security Council resolution 1591, passed in March 2005, forbidding "offensive military flights in and over the Darfur region". The new surge of attacks is targeting rebel strongholds throughout Darfur, where militias have secured key territories.
The African Union force commander, Major Gen Luke Aprezi, confirmed the attacks and said... Read more >>>
Thursday, January 04, 2007
DARFUR: What to do about it?
Since 2003, at least 300,000 men, women and children have been killed, and some 2.2 million people—approximately one-third of Darfur’s population—have been terrorized and driven from their homes.
Villages are burned routinely, and survivors are usually forced into refugee camps where they depend on international assistance to survive. But relief operations delivering food and water to the region are often turned back by violence. This summer alone, 21 supply vehicles were hijacked and 12 humanitarian workers were killed. Read more >>>
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