Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Darfur Diaries: Message From Home
Darfur Diaries: Message From Home Synopsis
The documentary Darfur Diaries: Message from Home features interviews with many victims of the devastating genocide taking place in the area. The filmmakers seek to shine some light on this dark chapter in human history, encouraging people to make a great effort for humanitarian relief in besieged Darfur.
Directed by:
Jen Marlowe
Adam Shapiro
Cast:
Abdullah
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Thursday, March 29, 2012
Outrage Over Iraq Welcoming of Wanted War Criminal Bashir
Wanted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 29, 2012
ADVOCACY GROUP CALLS ON UNITED STATES TO EXPRESS OUTRAGE OVER IRAQ WELCOMING OF WANTED WAR CRIMINAL BASHIR
(Washington, DC) – United to End Genocide denounced Iraq for allowing the visit of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, and called upon the United States to express outrage over the visit. Bama Athreya, United to End Genocide’s Executive Director, made the following statement:
“Is this what the United States went to war in Iraq for -- to allow a wanted war criminal to visit? The U.S. government should issue a statement of outrage.
“This is the third visit of Bashir to a close U.S. ally in recent months and should be seen as a slap in the face to U.S. standing, if not outright U.S. commitment to justice for one of the world’s worst criminals. Nor are the consequences of this simply historical. Even today Omar al-Bashir continues to drop bombs indiscriminately on the people of Sudan and to put hundreds of thousands at risk of starvation by refusing to allow humanitarian aid into his own country.
“Bashir should not be visiting countries like Malawi, Libya, and Iraq that the United States has so robustly supported. The next headline we see should not be about a war criminal being welcomed by a U.S. ally, but rather that Bashir is welcomed to the seat of the International Criminal Court in the Hague.”
Background:
On March 28th, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir traveled to Baghdad, Iraq for an Arab League Summit. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Bashir for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Darfur, where over 300,000 people have died since 2003. Iraq is not a signatory to the International Criminal Court so does not have a legal obligation to arrest Bashir, however such visits have resulted in diplomatic pressure and canceled visits to non-signatory countries in the past. The United States recently announced that it is suspending $350 million in aid to Malawi under the Millennium Challenge Corporation, citing deteriorating economic and political conditions, but also concern for Malawi allowing a visit by Omar al-Bashir as a contributing factor. Ongoing violence against civilians in Abyei, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Darfur regions of Sudan displaced over half a million people last year and USAID’s Famine Early Warning System has warned of hundreds of thousands of people being at risk of emergency hunger levels one step below famine as the Sudanese government continues to block access for international humanitarian aid in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
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The Save Darfur Coalition and Genocide Intervention Network are now United to End Genocide. The organization remains committed to its work to end the crisis in Darfur and bring peace to all of Sudan as well as to end violence in other areas of mass atrocities. The merger creates the world's largest anti-genocide activist organization, with a membership base of hundreds of thousands of committed activists, an unparalleled nationwide student movement, more than 190 faith-based, advocacy and human rights partner organizations, and a network of institutional investors collectively representing more than $3 trillion in assets under management.
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Thursday, March 15, 2012
The AU Welcomes the Progress Made In the Negotiations Between Sudan And South Sudan
15 Mar 2012 12:47 Africa/Lagos
THE AU WELCOMES THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN
ADDIS ABABA, March 15, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Mr. Jean Ping, welcomes the agreement reached by the Government of the Republic of Sudan and the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, on the ‘Framework Agreement on the Status of Nationals of the other State' and the Agreement on the Demarcation of the Boundary and Related Issues', in Addis Ababa on 12 March 2012, under the auspices of the African Union High level Implementation Panel (AUHIP).
The ‘Agreement on the Demarcation of the Boundary and Related Issues' establishes institutional mechanisms responsible for overseeing and carrying out the demarcation process of Africa's longest land border.
The ‘Framework Agreement on the Status of Nationals of the other State' sets up a Joint High Level Committee, which shall oversee the adoption and implementation of joint measures relating to nationals of the other State. The Agreement also accords nationals of each state the freedom of residence, freedom of movement, freedom to undertake economic activity, and the freedom to acquire and dispose of property.
Both these Agreements were initialed by the leaders of the teams negotiating the arrangements on post‐secession issues between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan. They will be signed by President Omar Hassan el Bashir and President Salva Kiir Mayardit, at a Summit to be held in Juba in the coming weeks.
The Chairperson of the Commission is especially pleased to note the new spirit of compromise and cooperation expressed by the two Parties, and their reaffirmation of the principle of mutual viability, which has permeated this round of negotiations. The AU, through the AU High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), has been insisting on this principle of mutual viability as the underlying principle for the negotiations between the two States. The Chairperson of the Commission welcomes the acceptance by the Parties of the need to approach the negotiations as partners, not as adversaries, and to seek win‐win solutions to their relations. The two states are bound by history and geography to seek solutions that recognize their common interests, and this new spirit of cooperation will allow them to speed up their search for a comprehensive settlement to all aspects of their relations, in the interests of the peoples of both states.The Chairperson of the Commission recognizes that the acceptance of the principle of mutual viability marks only the first step in “rebooting” relations between the two neighbouring states. The challenge now is to ensure that this new attitude is sustained, and is translated into practical improvements in their relations. This would require that the two States address the security issues that currently continue to pose a major threat to peace in the region, and to address the issue of oil and related matters, including the resumption of oil production in South Sudan, to prevent any further damage to the economies of both states. The AU is committed to supporting the Parties as they address their challenges in this regard, and calls on the international community to extend its support to the Parties.
The Chairperson of the Commission expresses his continued appreciation and gratitude to the AUHIP, which is chaired by former President Thabo Mbeki and includes former Presidents Abdulsalami Abubakar and Pierre Buyoya, for their tireless work in bringing about this change in the Parties attitude to the negotiations. The Agreements signed yesterday mark a turning point in the negotiations, and will enable the Parties to speed up their negotiations on all outstanding matters in their relations. He also extends appreciation to the team that has been working in support of the AUHIP, for their invaluable contribution to the search for a peaceful solution that would allow the two states to live in peace. The Chairperson reiterates his commitment to sparing no effort in support of the AUHIP and the Parties in their search for a comprehensive solution to all matters.
Source: African Union High level Implementation Panel (AUHIP).
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THE AU WELCOMES THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN
ADDIS ABABA, March 15, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Mr. Jean Ping, welcomes the agreement reached by the Government of the Republic of Sudan and the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, on the ‘Framework Agreement on the Status of Nationals of the other State' and the Agreement on the Demarcation of the Boundary and Related Issues', in Addis Ababa on 12 March 2012, under the auspices of the African Union High level Implementation Panel (AUHIP).
The ‘Agreement on the Demarcation of the Boundary and Related Issues' establishes institutional mechanisms responsible for overseeing and carrying out the demarcation process of Africa's longest land border.
The ‘Framework Agreement on the Status of Nationals of the other State' sets up a Joint High Level Committee, which shall oversee the adoption and implementation of joint measures relating to nationals of the other State. The Agreement also accords nationals of each state the freedom of residence, freedom of movement, freedom to undertake economic activity, and the freedom to acquire and dispose of property.
Both these Agreements were initialed by the leaders of the teams negotiating the arrangements on post‐secession issues between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan. They will be signed by President Omar Hassan el Bashir and President Salva Kiir Mayardit, at a Summit to be held in Juba in the coming weeks.
The Chairperson of the Commission is especially pleased to note the new spirit of compromise and cooperation expressed by the two Parties, and their reaffirmation of the principle of mutual viability, which has permeated this round of negotiations. The AU, through the AU High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), has been insisting on this principle of mutual viability as the underlying principle for the negotiations between the two States. The Chairperson of the Commission welcomes the acceptance by the Parties of the need to approach the negotiations as partners, not as adversaries, and to seek win‐win solutions to their relations. The two states are bound by history and geography to seek solutions that recognize their common interests, and this new spirit of cooperation will allow them to speed up their search for a comprehensive settlement to all aspects of their relations, in the interests of the peoples of both states.The Chairperson of the Commission recognizes that the acceptance of the principle of mutual viability marks only the first step in “rebooting” relations between the two neighbouring states. The challenge now is to ensure that this new attitude is sustained, and is translated into practical improvements in their relations. This would require that the two States address the security issues that currently continue to pose a major threat to peace in the region, and to address the issue of oil and related matters, including the resumption of oil production in South Sudan, to prevent any further damage to the economies of both states. The AU is committed to supporting the Parties as they address their challenges in this regard, and calls on the international community to extend its support to the Parties.
The Chairperson of the Commission expresses his continued appreciation and gratitude to the AUHIP, which is chaired by former President Thabo Mbeki and includes former Presidents Abdulsalami Abubakar and Pierre Buyoya, for their tireless work in bringing about this change in the Parties attitude to the negotiations. The Agreements signed yesterday mark a turning point in the negotiations, and will enable the Parties to speed up their negotiations on all outstanding matters in their relations. He also extends appreciation to the team that has been working in support of the AUHIP, for their invaluable contribution to the search for a peaceful solution that would allow the two states to live in peace. The Chairperson reiterates his commitment to sparing no effort in support of the AUHIP and the Parties in their search for a comprehensive solution to all matters.
Source: African Union High level Implementation Panel (AUHIP).
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Tuesday, January 24, 2012
UN Security Council Press Statement on Killing of Peacekeeper in Darfur
African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) patrol in Darfur.
24 Jan 2012 06:03 Africa/Lagos
UN Security Council press statement on killing of peacekeeper in Darfur
NEW YORK, January 24, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Baso Sangqu (South Africa):
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attack on an African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) patrol in Darfur on 21 January, in which one peacekeeper was killed and three were wounded, one of them seriously.
The members of the Security Council expressed their condolences to the family of the peacekeeper killed in the attack, as well as to the Government of Nigeria. They called on the Government of Sudan to bring the perpetrators to justice and stressed that there must be an end to impunity for those who attack peacekeepers.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for UNAMID and called on all parties in Darfur to co-operate with the mission.
Source: UNITED NATIONS
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Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Sudan: Faith Leaders, Activists Deliver 45,000 Postcards To Secretary Clinton
Faith Leaders, Activists Deliver 45,000 Postcards To Secretary Clinton Demanding Stronger U.S. Action To Stop Attacks On Sudanese Civilians
Meeting with Special Ambassador to Sudan Focused on New Reports of Mass Atrocities Ordered by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir
(Washington, DC) – Faith-based and activist leaders delivered 45,000 postcards to the State Department today, calling on Secretary Clinton to take strong action to stop attacks on innocent civilians in Sudan and hold its President Omar al-Bashir fully accountable.
The action came on the heels of news reports that Sudan’s armed forces attacked and are occupying the South Sudanese the town of Jaw, an area providing refuge to victims of previous attacks in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
Tom Andrews, President of United to End Genocide and Special Ambassador to Sudan, Princeton Lyman
“Sudan’s president Omar al-Bashir has led attacks on civilians, forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes in the last six months, and is now occupying a South Sudan village where his victims sought refuge,” stated Tom Andrews, President of United to End Genocide. “These atrocities must be met with action by the Obama Administration, not its current tepid policy of holding out normalization as a reward for Sudan’s good behavior.” Andrews, along with representatives from the Nuba Mountains and faith organizations met with Special Ambassador to Sudan Princeton Lyman, and expressed the concerns shared by many Americans.
“Activists across the country are joining our ‘Stop Bashir!’ campaign to amplify the voices of men, women and children in Darfur, in South Kordofan, in Blue Nile and in South Sudan who are being attacked, terrorized and driven from their homes by Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir,” stated Andrews.
“We will not stop the pressure until Secretary Clinton demonstrates the leadership needed to stop these brutal attacks.”Anyone can send an electronic version of this postcard in just a few seconds by visiting www.stopbashir.org. This year alone, more than 500,000 people have been displaced in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile, and the Government of Sudan is blocking access to aid, setting up a likely humanitarian crisis.
United to End Genocide is calling for the Administration to: Press for full and unimpeded access for international humanitarian organizations to South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur ;Push the United Nations Security Council to demand the Government of Sudan immediately cease conducting offensive military flights in and over South Kordofan and Blue Nile;Push the United Nations Security Council to authorize a peacekeeping force for South Kordofan and Blue Nile that contains a human rights monitoring component along with the appropriate resources and mandate necessary to protect civilians;Push for the expansion of the existing United Nations arms embargo for Darfur to all of Sudan;Hold perpetrators of violence accountable by strengthening and expanding U.S. and UN sanctions against those responsible for violence in South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Abyei; andDemand an independent international investigation into crimes committed against civilians in Abyei, Blue Nile, and South Kordofan, preferably through the International Criminal Court.
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The Save Darfur Coalition and Genocide Intervention Network are now United to End Genocide. The organization remains committed to its work to end the crisis in Darfur and bring peace to all of Sudan as well as to end violence in other areas of mass atrocities. The merger creates the world’s largest anti-genocide activist organization, with a membership base of hundreds of thousands of committed activists, an unparalleled nationwide student movement, more than 190 faith-based, advocacy and human rights partner organizations, and a network of institutional investors collectively representing more than $3 trillion in assets under management.
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Saturday, December 03, 2011
Arrest Warrant for Defense Minister is Good. But...
President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 2, 2011
RIGHTS GROUP CALLS NEW ICC ARREST WARRANT FOR SUDAN GOVT LEADER MODEST BUT INSUFFICENT STEP Seeks U.S. Leadership for True Justice in Sudan
(Washington, DC) – United to End Genocide President Tom Andrews released the following statement today in response to the International Criminal Court’s request for an arrest warrant for Sudanese Defense Minister General Abdulrahim Mohamed Hussein, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur: “The ICC’s action is a modest but insufficient step toward holding perpetrators accountable for heinous crimes they have committed against the people of Darfur.
The fact remains that the worst perpetrators that are wanted by the ICC continue to commit these crimes with impunity and travel freely around the world.
Sudan’s president Omar al-Bashir and his cronies continue to commit atrocities that have displaced more than 500,000 people from Darfur, South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Abyei this year, and these attacks show no signs of slowing despite the ICC warrants against them. “Because of failure of the UN Security Council to act, only crimes committed in Darfur are allowed to be pursued by the ICC, leaving the mounting atrocities in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Abyei beyond the reach of ICC prosecutors.
“The people of Sudan deserve the true justice that will only come when the Obama administration and international community stand up to Bashir’s murderous regime.
The Obama Administration must immediately impose strong sanctions on Bashir and other leaders responsible for attacks against civilians – not just in Darfur but everywhere atrocities are being committed.
The administration must also play a leadership role to forge UN Security Council action including sanctions, the deployment of a civilian protection force, an arms embargo for all of Sudan and an ICC investigation into the atrocities still being committed in South Kordofan and Blue Nile that will make it possible for all perpetrators to be brought to justice.”
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The Save Darfur Coalition and Genocide Intervention Network are now United to End Genocide. The organization remains committed to its work to end the crisis in Darfur and bring peace to all of Sudan as well as to end violence in other areas of mass atrocities. The merger creates the world’s largest anti-genocide activist organization, with a membership base of hundreds of thousands of committed activists, an unparalleled nationwide student movement, more than 190 faith-based, advocacy and human rights partner organizations, and a network of institutional investors collectively representing more than $3 trillion in assets under management.
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Latest News from Darfur
Darfur - George Galloway by inet
21 Nov 2011 06:35 Africa/Lagos
Darfur / UNAMID Media Brief
EL FASHER (DARFUR), November 21, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- UNAMID Media Brief / 20 November 2011
UNAMID supports sports competition in North Darfur
In its continued efforts to engage the local community, UNAMID presented today sports equipment to five secondary schools from Abu Shouk, Al Salaam and Zamzam internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in North Darfur, which will participate in the Back to School Tournament. The kits included balls, nets, footwear and clothes for female and male volleyball and football teams.
UNAMID Director of Communications and Public Information Kemal Saiki said that “UNAMID has been very active working for the community, essentially for the youth. We are keen to see the youth engage in activities that promote competition in a peaceful way”.
On behalf of the Principals of the schools and the Umdas (community leaders) from the three camps, Ibrahim Alkheed Shekhadeen, Camp Manager for Abu Shouk and Al Salaam camps, stated that this donation will strengthen relations between the IDP community and the Mission. “We will continue to work with all youth in the camps, by uniting we build peace,” he said.
The tournament which begins on 21 November will run for three weeks between the secondary schools in Abu Shouk, Al Salaam and Zamzam IDP camps.
UNAMID patrols
UNAMID military conducted 139 patrols including routine, short-range, long-range, night and humanitarian escort patrols covering 78 villages and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. UNAMID Police advisors conducted 101 patrols in villages and IDP camps.
Source: United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
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