AMID REPORTS OF ETHNIC CLEANSING, SUDAN ACTIVISTS REQUEST ESCALATED ACTION
Amid reports of government-sponsored aerial bombardment of civilians, summary door-to-door executions and evidence of mass graves in Southern Kordofan, 54 human rights and anti-genocide organizations in 27 states have issued an open letter to President Obama asking for limited military action to destroy carefully selected military assets of the government of Sudan. The organizations represent U.S. citizens and members of the diaspora from all parts of Sudan, including Darfur and the Nuba Mountains, and from the Republic of South Sudan. This letter is the first broad-based call by activists for a military response. The letter was also signed by leading genocide scholars, Eric Reeves, Samuel Totten and Daniel Jonah Goldhagen.
The letter states, “It is time for significantly escalated action by the United States consistent with the Responsibility to Protect doctrine, for both The Republic of South Sudan and the marginalized people of Sudan. Condemnations of new war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are necessary, but not sufficient. We strongly believe that only concrete, escalated action will change the calculations of the government of Sudan and reverse the pattern of grave crimes, human rights abuses and humanitarian crises.”
Read the full press release, text of letter to President Obama, and list of signatories here.
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Join the Global Hunger Strike for Darfur!
July 22 – 23, 2011 noon to noon
Speak out for the victims of genocide! On July 22nd, join Darfuris Against Genocide’s 24-hour global hunger strike to re-invigorate international engagement in Darfur.On July 9, 2011, the world recognized South Sudan’s independence from Khartoum’s brutal regime.
On July 22, 2004, this same regime was accused by Congress of committing genocide in Darfur. Seven years later, the protection of civilians remains unattainable as violent attacks against civilians, blockades of humanitarian access, systematic rape, brutal arrests and torture continue in Darfur. Join by visiting http://fastdarfur.org/ or attending the Hunger Strike Facebook Event.
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