[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Petition to Stop the Genocide in Darfur

Tue Jun 15 13:45:21 CDT 2004

>Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2004 13:22:21 -0500
>From: Africa Action <africaaction at igc.org>
>Organization: Africa Action
>X-Accept-Language: en-us, en
>To: ejlist at africaaction.org
>Subject: Petition to Stop the Genocide in Darfur
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>
>
>Dear Friends,
>
>Today we issued the following press release on the genocide 
>unfolding in Darfur, Sudan. We've also initiated a petition (see 
>below) using the e-advocacy tool on our website. The petition 
>targets Secretary of State Colin Powell and demands that he call 
>what is happening in Sudan by its name: genocide. We further call on 
>the US to provide leadership for the creation of a multinational 
>force to intervene in Darfur to stop the killing, to provide 
>security for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and to enforce 
>the truce until such time as a formal UN peacekeeping operation can 
>be mounted.
>
>We know this call will be controversial among many friends who do 
>not believe that the US government can ever do any good by 
>intervening in Africa militarily, but we feel strongly that this 
>genocide must be stopped and that no other country will take the 
>lead role.
>
>We hope to gain 10,000 signatures for this petition by the end of 
>June. Please read the following action alert and add your names to 
>this important initiative that could help save up to a million 
>lives. You will also find the petition our website at 
>http://www.africaaction.org. Thank you.
>
>Africa Action
>
>---
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>Contact: Ann-Louise Colgan 202-546 7961
>
>Africa Action Launches Petition to Stop Genocide in Sudan
>
>Will Collect 10,000 Signatures by end of June;
>Calls on Secretary of State Powell to Name the Genocide, Support 
>Immediate Intervention
>
>Tuesday, June 15, 2004 (Washington, DC) - As horrifying reports of 
>genocide continue to emerge from Darfur, western Sudan, Africa 
>Action today launched a petition aimed at US Secretary of State 
>Colin Powell, urging him to use the word "genocide" to describe the 
>crisis and calling for immediate intervention to stop the killing. 
>Up to one million people are now at risk in Darfur as a result of an 
>ongoing government-sponsored campaign to destroy a portion of its 
>population. The petition aims to collect more than 10,000 signatures 
>by the end of June.
>
>Africa Action's Executive Salih Booker said this morning, "The 
>failure of the US and the international community to act in Rwanda a 
>decade ago cost 800,000 lives. Now, up to one million people face a 
>similar fate in Darfur, western Sudan. Unless there is an immediate 
>military intervention to stop the killing and facilitate a massive 
>humanitarian operation, the loss of life in Darfur may even dwarf 
>the horrific toll we saw in Rwanda."
>
>The petition launched by Africa Action today states, "the term 
>'genocide' not only captures the fundamental characteristics of the 
>Khartoum government's intent and actions in western Sudan, it also 
>invokes clear international obligations." Africa Action notes that 
>all permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - 
>including the US - are parties to the 1948 Convention on Genocide, 
>and are bound to prevent and punish this crime under international 
>law. Genocide is described as the commission of acts with "intent to 
>destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or 
>religious group."
>
>As US officials consider what word to use to describe what is taking 
>place in Darfur, Booker emphasized, "US Secretary of State Colin 
>Powell must call the genocide in western Sudan what it is, and 
>ensure that the US fulfils its obligations to halt the killing. And 
>surely Secretary Powell knows, this requires the involvement of US 
>troops."
>
>Africa Action notes that the US has almost 2,000 troops in nearby 
>Djibouti, some of which could be quickly mobilized to lead a 
>multinational force to secure the region, to facilitate humanitarian 
>assistance and to enforce the cease-fire until a UN peacekeeping 
>force can be assembled.
>
>Booker continued, "Everyone in this country and around the world who 
>was horrified by what happened in Rwanda a decade ago must now stand 
>up and say "not again." We will not allow our policy-makers to fail 
>the people of Darfur. This is why we call on Colin Powell to show 
>clear US leadership in stopping genocide."
>
>Africa Action will circulate the petition to hundreds of 
>organizations and networks across the US and internationally, 
>generating thousands of signatures before the end of this month. To 
>sign the petition see below, or visit Africa Action's website at 
>http://www.africaaction.org/
>
>----
>
>Petition: Act Now to Stop Genocide in Sudan
>
>10,000 Signatures Needed - Add Your Name Today
>
>Ten years ago, the international community stood by as the Rwandan 
>Genocide claimed 800,000 lives. Today, as world leaders remember 
>that unprecedented human catastrophe with empty expressions of 
>"Never Again", the people of Sudan face a similar fate.
>
>Add your name to the petition calling on Colin Powell to immediately 
>recognize the genocide occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan and 
>move aggressively to bring it to an end -an action that could save 
>more than 1,000,000 lives.
>
>Take Action Now
>
>In Darfur, the Sudanese government is destroying African Muslim 
>communities who have challenged the authoritarian rule of the 
>government. Government forces and Arab militias known as the 
>janjaweed have burned and pillaged thousands of villages, poisoned 
>water systems, and subjected the population to large-scale rape and 
>other atrocities.
>
>With 30,000 people already killed, Darfur now faces the worst 
>humanitarian crisis in the world. Even if relief arrives now, 
>350,000 people may still die. If relief does not arrive, the toll 
>will surely be many times higher.
>
>At present, Secretary of State Colin Powell is deciding whether the 
>U.S. should officially recognize the atrocities in Sudan as 
>constituting genocide. The 1948 Genocide Convention requires the 130 
>countries that are parties to it, including the US, to prevent and 
>punish these crimes against humanity.
>
>Visit the Africa Action website to TELL POWELL TO RECOGNIZE THE 
>GENOCIDE AND TAKE ACTION
>
>http://www.africaaction.org
>
>Please help us generate 10,000 signatures before the end of this 
>month to send a strong message about the urgent action needed to 
>save lives in Darfur.
>
>
>
>--
>
>Africa Action 1634 Eye Street NW, #810
>Washington, DC 20006
>Tel: 202-546 7961 * http://www.africaaction.org

-- 

Al Kagan
African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration
Africana Unit, Room 328
University of Illinois Library
1408 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801, USA

tel. 217-333-6519
fax. 217-333-2214
e-mail. akagan at uiuc.edu