An Unforgivable Hell on Earth

Even as Julie Flint and Alex de Waal decry (Justice Off Course for Darfur) Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s comparison of Darfur with Nazi Germany, and contend that thought inditing top government officials for their true crimes against humanity would symbolically be a victory for the people of Darfur from a more pragmatic viewpoint it will do nothing to increase the security of those affected by the crisis, and could make their situation even worse by angering those still in power,those who were complicit in these crimes.

It seems unlikely, more than four years after the initial genocide began, with fractured rebel groups, an uncooperative and disinterested government that provoking the tyrants who main in power could be a good thing. A catch -22. Doing nothing at the onset has placed us in a position were we now have to deal with murderers diplomatically in order to protect victims, ( who are still victims), from more victimization.

In the meantime we can judge for ourselves as CNN’S Senior international correspondent Nic Robertson presents a half-hour special documentary, Darfur: Out of Control, on 5 July at 11:30 am and 7:30 pm and on 6 July at 11:30 am.

From the Roots of Humanity where you can download the pdf of the June issue of Am I Not Human.

Roots of Humanity is raising awareness on the 27th of each month, and on every other day, for our human siblings bearing the weight of corrupt and procrastinating governments. Our voices make a difference.

They accepting art and poetry dedicated to our suffering human siblings for their next ebook. You can send your submissions to: RootsofHumanity at gmail.com

G-8 Petition, New Release From Humans Rights First

Readers:

In two weeks, world leaders from G8 countries — U.S., Canada, Japan, the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, and Russia — meet for their annual Summit in Japan to debate action on issues of global concern.

If the violence in Darfur—that has left more than 300,000 people dead and caused more than 2 million to flee their homes—is not a matter of global concern, then what is?

The G8 Summit comes at a perilous time for both Darfur and the whole of Sudan. Intensified violence in Darfur has resulted in more death and displacement, and recent fighting in the Abyei region of Sudan suggests the unraveling of the fragile North/South peace agreement.

The government of Sudan and the world will be watching the G-8 Summit closely. Last week, over 40 non-governmental organizations, representing all G8 states and Sudan, sent an Open Letter to all G8 Leaders and Foreign Ministers, calling on them to demand:

* An immediate stop to violence in Darfur
* A halt to arms transfers, directly or indirectly, to Darfur in violation of the U.N. arms embargo
* Rapid deployment of the peacekeeping force in Darfur, UNAMID
* A reinvigorated peace process
* Justice and accountability for atrocities committed

Click here to join activists around the world in pressuring G-8 leaders to take a strong stand—include a promise to act—against violence in Darfur and Sudan.

Thank you.

On June 23rd the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children released landmark report (pdf) on refugees with disabilities in countries affected by conflict.

Findings, including the number of refugees with disabilities thought able to access appropriate care in camps are usually unable to access proper care from their host governments, from the report which states 2.5 and 3.5 million of the world’s 35 million displaced people also live with disabilities, possibly more, is a six month project by the Women’s Commission and co-funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). It is based on fact-finding missions to Ecuador, Yemen, Jordan, Thailand and Nepal (as well as significant field input from Darfur and Kenya), interviews with United Nations agencies and local organizations on the ground, and focus group discussions with refugees and others uprooted from their homes. Colombian, Somali, Iraqi, Burmese, Bhutanese and Sudanese populations were studied in camps and urban environments, in both emergency and protracted situations, with a particular focus on women, children and adolescents.

Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children

What we recommend: urgently-needed, concrete solutions which can be put in place now to make their difficult lives more fulfilling and dignified.

We will be silent regarding Beijing, but we will give money, and don’t get me wrong, money is greatly needed to prevent starvation and malnutrition in Darfur. It is inconceivable however that under the current conditions – the failure of UNAMID to provide the necessary deployment of security and support personnel that this money will do any good.

We need to try harder or the results for Darfur will be more devastating, if that is even possible. The sense of urgency regarding Darfur can not be diminished, or the result will be death.

Eric Reeves, Darfur’s Perfect Storm

Meanwhile at the U.N. it’s more of the same. Darfur: UN envoy doubtful parties are willing to enter serious negotiations

In the meantime Executive Research
Associates and Manchester Trade are holding a Conference of eminent
international speakers entitled “Darfur and its Impact on Sudan and the
Region” on June 25, 2008, from 8:00 AM to 5:45 PM at The Madison Hotel in
Washington, DC.
The full press release is here

Though according to the Sudan Tribune “A Sudanese presidential adviser and a Darfur rebel chief declined invitation to participate in a conference“.