FIRST, I HAVE THIS TO SAY:
WE WANT LEADERSHIP NOW. NOT NEXT WEEK.
The point is that we know what can happen when mad men are left to their whims. To avoid mass death in Sudan, which is realistic to expect from the Sudanese government upon its own people, someone, SOMEone needs to lead the world in some sane and preventive actions. With the fact that NGO (non-governmental organizations) are being expelled from Sudan - where they had been keeping alive millions of unprotected families (from their own government) with food, water and medical services for years - we are gambling the lives and deaths of millions. We, as in you, me and our government along with other governments who claim they are civilized, need to make sure that water, food and protection is gotten to those in Sudan who will die without it.
This is a letter I am sending via the http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
March 12, 2009
Dear President Obama,
As you know, the Darfuri people have been in crisis since 2003. You were one of the U.S. Senators who gave voice to the genocide and the need for leadership and action to save people from genocidal actions. And now as President, I hope you will act in a leadership role, especially now since President Bashir is expelling the very agencies that have been at the front of helping the helpless.
Those citizens of us who have been taking a stand against genocide are extremely concerned that the non-governmental organizations that have provided water, food and medical services to the victims of a genocidal government are being forced out by Bashir. We know what can happen if we have no backup plan in case the expulsions are not reversed, as you have called for. And it is a big “IF” that can very well become present and then past. Those of us who are engaged as citizen activists, to say the least, are impatient. Many of us are angry. Angry that we are still having to ask our elected representatives to do the right things regarding such tragic inhumanity.
Personally, I got involved in 2004 as an activist against genocide. And it was in direct response to making myself educated about the Rwandan genocide of 1994. I do not want to be part of complicity. I know we are all the keepers of justice. And I know where there is a will there is a way. Let us use our will to make a way about this defining issue.
In Sudan, we have an emergency. As you said, President Obama, “We can't say 'never again' and then allow it to happen again.” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEd583-fA8M November 2007) And yet, that is what we have done repeatedly, year after year - murder after murder, rape after rape, starved to death after starved to death, torched village after torched village, lost childhood after lost childhood. We have said “never” and never meant it.
I took time off my Darfur activism to work as a volunteer in New Hampshire for a week, my home state of Rhode Island and phone banking for New Jersey for the “Obama for America” campaign. And the reason was that I believed you would make the difference we needed to stop what is going on with the Darfuri families.
Today, I was on a national conference call that was prompted by average people who are so frayed by the situation in Sudan and what looks like lack of forward-looking action needed to stave off what will inevitably come without the needed leadership. The game-playing by the Sudanese government has only been in competition with the game-maneuvering of the international leaders who have allowed the genocide to go on and on.
As activists we have been lobbying, rallying, emailing, calling our elected politicians, organizing, divesting, sending letters to the editors, blogging about Darfur. Activists have kept Darfur in the news when the media has chosen to primarily marginalize the story at best. We have tugged and tugged. And people are dying of thirst for water, tonight. I have a warm bed at night, but there are Darfuri children who have never known a night with a comfortable bed because they were born in a refugee camp. And perhaps born from a rape that came from one of the Janjaweed. This is “our defining moment” as you so correctly said repeatedly. Please, don’t let us be defined by lack of leadership, our inaction and toothless rhetoric regarding Darfuri people.
We are outraged. We are worried. As an activist, I am crying out to you because I believe you mean what you say. We, the people of the keepers of justice, want you to take the measured, dramatic, bold steps needed to get water, food and protection to the Darfuri people of Sudan. If the leadership doesn’t come from you, Mr. President, then who? If not, now, it may be too late for those on the brink of becoming not only voiceless, but breathless.
With much respect,
Sandra Hammel
GENOCIDE STOPS WITH US - LET'S MAKE IT PAST HISTORY
Email text received today, March 12, 2009 from a Sudanese living in exile in the USA
This is some of what is happening in Darfur:
1 Eyewitnesses say armed men on two vehicles kidnapped five aid workers from Doctors-Without-Borders workers in a hospital in Saraf Omrah location in Central Darfur. The kidnapped workers: one French national, one Italian national, one Canadian national, 2 Sudanese nationals (guards).
Doctors-Without -Borders organization is one of the organizations that medically treats and documents cases of rape and other atrocities, which angered Government of Sudan (GoS).
2 Situation in the large cities of Darfur is extremely tense. News from Elfasher is that there was sporadic gun fire in the last five days. Janjaweed forces are seen roaming the city freely and assaulting citizens.
3 A Darfuri activist in Midwest ( U.S.A.) told me this morning that GoS security agents are looking for her sister in Nyala (South Darfur). She said her sister has no political affiliation or activities. She believes that Government of Sudan's agents in U.S.A. has a hand in what is going on to her family back home. (All demonstrations supporting International Criminal Court (ICC) decision on March 4, 2009 in major U.S. cities by Diaspora of Darfur were taped by GoS agents. This Darfuri activist is a student in a university. She told me she cancelled all classes today just to keep calling her relatives in Sudan, Arabian Gulf countries, to follow up situation in Darfur.
4 Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) (refugees) in a camp in west Darfur (UmTagook) were forced to get out to demonstate (yesterday Wednesday, March 11, 2009) to condemn the ICC warrant of arrest. A satellite TV channel from Khartoum (Alshoroug TV) taped the forced-demonstration to be shown nation-wide.
5 Retributions are going on against outspoken IDP camps leaders. Thurday, March 12, 2009: IDP camp (West Darfur) leader Sheikh Haroun Mohamed Ishag was lead out by armed men and killed by gun fire at about distance of a 1/2 a mile from the camp.
Another of his emails just arrived at 1:06 a.m. USA EST March 13, 2009.
Here is the text:
In a new escalation, today Government of Sudan ordered Banks in Sudan to freeze Bank accounts of 15 NGO's, of which 12 of them were expelled.
The NGO's are:
1- International Rescue Committee - U.S.A.
2- CARE - U.S.A.
3- Save The Children - U.S.A.
4- Save The Children - UK.
5- Development & Rebuilding Org - U.S.A.
6- TATCO - U.S.A.
7- Refugees Council Org.- Norway
8- Khartoum Center for Human Rights- Sudan
9- Solidarity Organization - France
10- Anti Starvation Org. - France.
11- Doctors -Without - Borders- France
12- OXFAM - UK.
13-MERCY - U.S.A.
14- SUDO - Sudan
15- AMAL - Sudan
which includes this video
.....................................................
Posted on November 26, 2007 by savedarfurcoalition
"The United States has a moral obligation anytime you see humanitarian catastrophes..."
"...And when you see a genocide whether it's in Rwanda, or Bosnia or in Darfur - that's a stain on all of us, that's a stain on our souls...
I think the level of commitment and the way that I've spoken out on this issue indicates not only knowledge but also passion in bringing an end to this crisis.
It's very encouraging to see activism based not on self interest but on a moral imperative. And it's especially heartening to see the young people engaged in expressing their idealism through this movement.
We can't say 'never again' and then allow it to happen again. And as President of the United States, I don't intend to abandon people or turn a blind eye to slaughter." Barack Obama, November 2007
Q Robert, last week 13 humanitarian groups were kicked out of Darfur because of the -- or following the indictment of Bashir. The activist groups are writing the President today asking him to show some leadership to try to get those groups back in. One in a million people are without food aid and potable water and health care. What is the President doing, if anything, on this to get those groups back in?
MR. GIBBS: Well, I think last night he spoke on this with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in saying clearly that decisions that have been made by the government of Sudan that affect greatly the safety and security of the people of Sudan should be reversed. I think the President has been clear on that for a number of days, including the very first day when news broke about this -- asking that the government, in order to protect its people, show restraint in any of its actions.
Obviously that hasn't completely been followed and the decisions that the government has made to expel those NGOs that protect innocent people, those decisions should be reversed.
Q Would he send somebody to talk to Bashir about it? Would he do something at the U.N. beyond talking to Ban Ki-moon?
MR. GIBBS: We may have more on that later in the week, but I don't have any update on that now.
Q And also, on Darfur. Right now the ICC's arrest warrant on Bashir, it's basically symbolic. And the President has talked about the issues of Africa and Darfur when he was a candidate. Is he going to try to help put some teeth behind what is viewed as something symbolic, as you say, possibly this week?
MR. GIBBS: Well, I make it a practice not to get ahead of anything that he may do or say --
Q Just this once.
MR. GIBBS: Well, I appreciate the opportunity to do so. I will decline. But I think that -- again, I think the -- I don't -- I certainly don't think it's symbolic to sit in the Oval Office and ask that decisions about NGOs and the protection of innocent people be reconsidered. I think that's -- those are certainly important. And the President obviously has great concern and hopes to see progress in peace in that area. And I think that's what he's worked to do.
Press Release March 11, 2009
DARFUR ADVOCACY GROUPS URGE IMMEDIATE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP TO SOLVE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
Groups: Sudan’s decision to restrict flow of aid represents possible prelude to humanitarian catastrophe of highest magnitude
WASHINGTON – The Save Darfur Coalition today called on President Obama to press the Sudanese government to immediately reinstate the licenses of 13 international humanitarian groups expelled from Darfur last week. In a letter cosigned by 54 coalition partners, the groups said that the administration should urgently undertake a sustained diplomatic effort to resolve the Darfur crisis and restore peace to all of Sudan..
“We know from your commitment to Darfur as a senator and your campaign pledge of ‘unstinting resolve’ to end the Darfur genocide that you believe the United States and its citizens cannot stand by while civilians are unjustly targeted by their own government,” the groups wrote in the letter. “Now, with millions of lives hanging in the balance, we must act immediately. Any delay will lead to even greater loss of life in Darfur.”
The organizations expelled from Darfur are a part of a humanitarian apparatus that provides relief to 4.7 million Darfuri civilians. It is estimated by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance that their expulsion will leave 1.1 million Darfuris without food aid, 1.5 million without access to healthcare and more than one million without potable water.
“The denial of life-saving food, water and medical care in Darfur is a human rights violation that endangers health and threatens lives,” said Frank Donaghue, CEO of Physicians for Human Rights. “The recent outbreak of meningitis in Darfur’s Kalma Camp is just the beginning of the widespread suffering that the expulsion of humanitarian aid groups will cause.
The full text of the letter appears here:
March 11, 2009
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC
Dear President Obama,
Darfur demands your attention now. Millions of lives are at risk, and your direct engagement can not be delayed.
We are a broad coalition of faith-based, human rights and advocacy organizations, and on behalf of our constituencies we implore you to respond immediately to the increasingly urgent situation in Sudan.
As you know, the licenses of over a dozen humanitarian aid organizations have been revoked by the government of Sudan, leaving millions of Darfuri civilians at immediate risk of disease and starvation.. You, along with other world leaders, must immediately and publicly condemn President Bashir's actions and insist that he restore access to life-saving humanitarian aid.
We know from your commitment to Darfur as a senator and your campaign pledge of "unstinting resolve" to end the Darfur genocide that you believe that the United States and its citizens cannot stand by while civilians are unjustly targeted by their own government. Since you were elected our president, over 250,000 Americans have signed postcards asking that your administration take swift and strong action to end the genocide in Darfur. Now, with millions of lives hanging in the balance, we must act immediately. Any delay will lead to even greater loss of life in Darfur.
The Sudanese government's decision to restrict the flow of humanitarian aid to Darfur represents the possible prelude to a humanitarian catastrophe of the highest magnitude. The 13 organizations that had their licenses revoked are some of the largest international aid groups in Darfur and sustain an apparatus that provides the last remaining lifeline for 4.7 million conflict-affected Darfuri people.
The time is now for the United States to immediately undertake an urgent, sustained diplomatic push to resolve the conflict in Darfur, including the reopening of humanitarian access. Sudan's recent actions reinforce the need to appoint a full-time Sudan envoy with the stature, mandate and authority to drive all aspects of Sudan policy.
We are counting on your leadership, President Obama. But more importantly, so are the people of Darfur.
Sincerely,
Jerry Fowler
President, Save Darfur Coalition
CC: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, UN Ambassador Susan Rice
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The following is from
Amnesty International USA
No security. No food. The "lose-lose" situation in Darfur keeps getting worse. There are a few people left who can talk some sense into the government of Sudan. Urge them to speak up now The Sudanese government has left starvation as the only option in Darfur. In a move that can only be described as retaliatory, the Sudanese government expelled or suspended the operations of 16 humanitarian aid organizations in Darfur and across Sudan just over one week ago. This action came soon after a decision by the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Darfur is the largest humanitarian aid operation in the world. Removing these essential groups from working in Darfur is like tearing life support from a critical patient. If Sudan doesn't hear the truth from someone it trusts, then it will continue to travel down this very dangerous path. We need to tap into Sudan's inner circle " fast. There are a few key groups and individuals -- such as, the African Union, the League of Arab States, and Sudan's own Ambassador to the U.S. -- who have the influence to get the government of Sudan to reverse its course. Urge those who have Sudan's ear to act now by filling their inboxes with your emails calling for the return of aid groups working in Darfur and across Sudan. |
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| What's really happening here, according to Tawanda Hondora, Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Africa Program, is that "the Sudanese government is holding the entire civilian population of Darfur hostage". It's unthinkable that a government would harm its own people in this way. Without these important groups working on the ground to provide medicine, food, and water, civilians who were forced to flee their homes once to avoid being killed, raped or tortured, may now be forced to become displaced again. If life-saving supplies can't get through to the people, then the people will have basically run out of options. The neighboring country, Chad, is already bursting at the seams trying to support more than 250,000 refugees who fled Darfur to escape the violence. Ongoing insecurity and instability in Chad, as well as limited resources, will make accommodating a new exodus of refugees from Darfur next to impossible. We've seen cruelty manifest itself in many different ways throughout the course of the conflict in Darfur. But this most recent act of retaliation by the Sudanese government is particularly callous. The African Union, Arab League, and the Sudanese Ambassador to the U.S. need to hear from you today. Demand that members of Sudan's trusted circle use their influence to help reverse the government of Sudan's decision. It's up to us to preserve the last life-saving option displaced Darfuris have left. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From Save Darfur Coalition
Dear Sandra,
Last week, the Sudanese government kicked 13 humanitarian organizations out of Darfur. The situation has not improved, and if the status quo remains, there will be a humanitarian catastrophe in the coming months.
The Chinese government, and the governments of Arab League and African Union members are key to resolving the current impass. We are requesting that they use their influence with the Sudanese government to secure a reversal of the decision to expel the aid groups, and to make clear that the United States will never support a trade-off of humanitarian access in exchange for concessions over the International Criminal Court. We are urging Members of Congress to sign "Dear Colleague letters" with this message to the heads of the Arab League, African Union, and China.
Please join us in this effort by calling your Representative and asking that he or she sign the three Darfur letters being circulated by Representative Michael Capuano and Representative Michael McCaul. The letters are addressed to China, the Arab League, and African Union and call on each to pressure the Sudanese Government to reverse its decision and allow the 13 expelled aid agencies back into the country.
If world leaders joing together humanitarian aid can be restored to the people of Darfur. But, we need you to call your Representative today.
Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Call your Senators and Representative
Find your elected politicians contact information at this link:
Write President Obama
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
You can also call or write to the President:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Comments to President Obama:
202-456-1111
or
1-800-GENOCIDE
The White House available 9 AM - 5 PM EST weekdays
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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