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Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Darfur Genocide
T
he genocidal tragedy in Darfur, Sudan, is accelerating. Although the nonstop genocide in Darfur has been largely underreported in the mainstream media, it continues to claim at least 500 innocent people a day. Dispatching its proxy militia, the Janjaweed, to conduct scorched-earth attacks on civilians, the Sudanese government defies all critics. The United Nations' undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs calls this "the worst humanitarian crisis in the world."
E
fforts to stop the violence and to protect civilians from future attacks have been ineffective. Experts on the scene blame the limited number of African Union troops, their narrow mandate, severe budget constraints and the inaccessibility of many of Darfur's villages. The single biggest reason for the inaction is the lack of political will.
W
hat can the international community do, especially the United States, to stop this needless tragedy? Instead of ignoring the methodical mass murder of fellow human beings we need to draw attention to this horrific situation and encourage our government to take action to stop the slaughter of thousands of innocent lives.
T
ake action…
- Insist that your elected officials support a stronger U.S. contribution to the African Union to significantly increase troop strength in Darfur.
- Tell them that there must be enforcing of "no fly zones" and sanctions already specified in U.N. Security Council resolutions and the establishing of a secure environment for delivery of humanitarian aid.
- Ask that we increase NATO logistical airlift support and combat unspeakable sexual violence against young girls and mothers.
T
here is a clear legal and moral imperative to halt the brutal killings and displacement in Darfur. Our humanity is at stake and time is running out.
Posted by fm on November 23, 2005 at 12:05 AM