JUSTICE FOR ALL ~ NOT JUST A SLOGAN
WE ALL SHOULD BE STANDING AND MAKING A STATEMENT AND NOW STEVEN SPIELBERG HAS
It seems like I have been an activists to stop the genocide in Darfur for a long time. It has been going on for five years ~ the same amount of time we have been in war in Iraq. However, to try to imagine how it feels to the people who are going through a genocide is sobering and points to the narcissistic view that we in the USA have in the world. I just heard a caller into C-span today who lives in Fall River, Massachusetts ~ only 20 minutes from where I live ~ say that he doesn't care how the rest of the world views us in the United States of America. That view makes absolutely no sense to me because I believe that our security in the world would be better served if we did behave in a way that we did care what others thought of our policies. Torture, for one. Not that we need to bow to whims of others but that we see other people as just as important as us and that we don't have exclusive rights to being right. We are a part of the world ~ not the rulers of the world. However, when justice is so blatantly being trampled on such as the case in Darfur, those of us in the world who still stand for justice, must stand up and stand out. We, who believe that China should acknowledge the Bashir administration of Sudan as the perpetrators of genocide in Darfur, hold that China must include Darfuri people in their '08 Summer Olympics' theme, One World, One Dream. Not much of a dream to have your communities scorched to the ground, rape used as a tool of genocide, eyes gouged out and systematically murdered as the world prepares for the Olympics to take place in Beijing, August 8, 2008.
We have been pressuring Steven Spielberg to take a stand with his role in the Beijing Olympics and finally he has.
In a statement, he accused China of not doing enough to pressure its ally Sudan to end the "continuing human suffering" in the troubled western Darfur region.
At least 200,000 people have been killed and two million forced from their homes in the five-year conflict.
Human Rights Watch welcomed Spielberg's move, and said it should prompt other corporate sponsors to press for reform.
In a statement, Mr Spielberg said: "I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue business as usual.
"At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur."
He added: "Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these on-going crimes but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more."
'Repression rising'
Sudan, with its vast oil reserves, sells some two-thirds of its oil to Beijing.
In turn, Beijing sells weapons to the Sudanese government and has defended Khartoum in the UN Security Council.
As a result, China has been criticised for its links with a government ostracised by many for its role in the ongoing crisis in Darfur.
Human Rights Watch said corporate sponsors, governments and National Olympic Committees should urge Beijing to improve human rights conditions.
Minky Worden said: "Repression in China is on the rise, and Olympic sponsors, governments, or world leaders - especially those planning to attend the Games - can't pretend otherwise.
"These influential players should be prepared to show the steps they are taking to address the worsening rights climate in China, or they risk being tarnished by a human rights debacle."
'Tremendous potential'
Earlier on Tuesday, as part of a "Global Day of Action" focusing on Darfur, an open letter signed by Nobel Peace Prize laureates and former Olympians was sent to China's president.
"We are all aware of the tremendous potential for China to help bring an end to the conflict in Darfur," said the letter, delivered to the Chinese mission to the United Nations by actress Mia Farrow and former Olympic swimmers Shannon Shakespeare and Nikki Dryden.
Farrow, who had pressed Spielberg to end his involvement, said his decision sent out the right signal to the Chinese Government.
She said: "I'm delighted by his decision and it's a desperate time for Darfur so this is a shred of good news in a very bleak week.
"Through his participation with the games it was clear that he was giving his moral cover to Beijing at a time when they're underwriting genocide in Darfur. So I hoped that he would discontinue his participation with the games."
Published: 2008/02/13 03:59:50 GMT
STATEMENT FROM STEVEN SPIELBERG
REGARDING BEIJING OLYMPIC GAMES AND DARFUR
FEBRUARY 12, 2008
After careful consideration, I have decided to formally announce the end of my involvement as one of the overseas artistic advisors to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games.
In anticipation that this day might one day come, I left unsigned the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games contract presented to me nearly a year ago. Since that time, I have made repeated efforts to encourage the Chinese government to use its unique influence to bring safety and stability to the Darfur region of Sudan. Although some progress has been made along the way, most notably, the passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769, the situation in Darfur continues to worsen and the violence continues to accelerate.
With this in mind, I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue with business as usual. At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur. Sudan’s government bares the bulk of the responsibility for these on-going crimes but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more to end the continuing human suffering there. China’s economic, military and diplomatic ties to the government of Sudan continue to provide it with the opportunity and obligation to press for change. The situation has never been more precarious – and while China’s representatives have conveyed to me that they are working to end the terrible tragedy in Darfur, the grim realities of the suffering continue unabated.
This has been a very difficult decision for me, as I have cherished the relationships with my Chinese counterparts, in particular, the noted director Zhang Yimou, who is a close personal friend. I have learned a great deal from working with him and all the other creative artists along the way. There is little that is more rewarding than to collaborate with those who bring vision and imagination to a challenging artistic task. And I greatly appreciated the spirit in which we worked together - a spirit that embodied genuine friendship and respect.
For me, the Olympic Games represent an ideal of brotherhood designed to bridge cultural and political divides. I am committed to building bridges between peoples and I saw, and continue to see, the Beijing Games as an opportunity to help ease some of the tensions in the world.
China has much to offer the world and I have no doubt that its international contributions will grow in the years ahead. With growing influence, however, also comes growing responsibilities. As China welcomes the world to Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games, I hope to be among those in attendance; and it is also my great hope that, with renewed and intensified efforts from China, there will be peace and security in Darfur at last.
Other articles that have come out:
Spielberg pulls out of Olympics
Move marks public relations blow to ChinaVariety
Steven Spielberg withdraw as adviser to OlympicsUK Reuters
Thank you Steven Spielberg
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