JOHN PRENDERGAST AND GEORGE CLOONEY BAFFLE HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS

Response to John Prendergast and George Clooney

by Mohamed Yahya, Executive Director, Damanga

Washington DC.

June 16, 2010.

As Darfur genocide survivors and American human rights activists, we are very disturbed by what Actor George Clooney and "Enough Project" activist John Prendergast has to say about war and peace in Darfur and Sudan. They jointly co-authored an article on June 9, 2010 titled "U.S. must help stop Sudan's slow-motion war." While human rights activists certainly seek an end to war and violence, we also recognize that compassionate nations and compassionate people seek justice, equality, dignity, and human rights as the building blocks of any lasting peace.

We are deeply troubled to read that the authors of the opinion piece seek "[p]arallel carrots and sticks are the key to this approach." According to the authors, on the "carrots" side, the U.S. should present a quid pro quo with an expiration date by the end of the year. In exchange for peace in Darfur and the South, the U.S. would move to normalize relations with Sudan and work in the Security Council to suspend the war crimes indictment of President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir under article 16 of the International Criminal Court Charter. On the "sticks" side, the authors call for "a U.S.–led Initiative should build international support for severe consequences for anyone promoting war, whether they are ruling party officials, militias, rebels, or Southern Sudan's leaders."

For years, we have heard the same philosophical slogans: "Peace Incentives," "Door 1 vs. Door 2 scenario," "carrots and sticks," and so forth, as if we are dealing with a government of angels or peace-making leaders. What "carrots" or incentives should people of conscience offer to the architects of genocide? If we accept an international code of Universal Human Rights for all people, is there no responsibility for human rights activists to call for action on such human rights, even in the face of genocide? How can people of conscience and commitment in human rights seriously argue for the need to offer incentives to the terrible government in Sudan, despite the massive crimes being committed against its innocent civilians from Darfur to the South all these years?

Why do we only see offers of incentives instead of serious consequences to a government that has been continuously violating human rights and systematically eliminating an entire ethnic community from their land? Why must the people of Darfur have to wait until the end of the year again over and over to implement such empty promises of action against human rights violators?

When will it be "Enough" of the denial of human rights, justice, freedom, and lasting peace for the victims of Darfur for the Enough Project's John Prendergast and George Clooney? How much longer must the world continue to appease the genocidal regime of Khartoum and give them time and promotions to continue to strengthen their ability to stay in power to humiliate our people forever? It is unbelievable to hear such recommendations from influential activists and actors, who have visited Darfur refugees a couple of times in Chad or Darfur and who have gained all the respect from all of us for their dedication to fight against those obsessed persistent criminals of our time.

They suggest unbearable ideas to push the U.S. government to move towards normalizing relations with the indicted criminals in Sudan in exchange for peace in Darfur and South Sudan. They further call for the suspension of "the war crimes indictment of President Al-Bashir under Article 16 of the ICC-the International Criminal Court charter." Do such activists believe that after all the destruction and obstruction by such architects of genocide that the world should simply ignore Mr. Al-Bashir's crimes? Should such an indictment be dismissed against Al-Bashir because he is a "peace-maker?"

Mr. Clooney and Prendergast, this will never happen on our watch. We can't let criminals who killed millions in Darfur and South and all Sudan to walk away free of charges. That would be a terrible, intolerable mistake that ever the history could forgive. It is our responsibility as civilized people and democratic nations of conscience, transparency, and moral integrity to be honest and do the right thing to bring those killers to justice. We cannot have any lasting peace without such justice.

We must not succumb to the fear of the catastrophic war that Al-Bashir would carry out against South if it is separated because of oil. It is better for you to work to separate Al-Bashir and his terrorist government instead of flattering him as the only one who can bring peace, referendum, and freedom. Al-Bashir and his National Congress Party (NCP) are the ultimate disaster for the Sudanese people and are the real threats to Sudan's survival and the whole region's well being.

The U.S. and the whole world will never end this growing problem by only supporting "peace" and ignoring justice. No good outcome will ever come without supporting the ICC first and foremost to do its work by arresting Omar Al-Bashir and his counterparts Ahmad Haroun, Salih Kusheeb and the other suspects to send them to the "Hague" headquarters of the ICC to be charged.

We say to activists that the rhetoric of appeasement for "peace" will only continue to hurt Darfuri refugees and prolong their endless sufferings. Don't do this to those trusted you and welcomed you with cheers and smiles during your visit to their makeshift camps in that remote area of the world.

We understand all the challenges that this country is going through. But still America is the greatest nation in the world and is capable of leading the rest of the nations of conscience to fulfill the promises of change for a better and peaceful world that everyone can enjoy without fear.

We recognize the continued need for compassionate nations and people to seek mercy in the sake of peace. But compassionate nations don't look the other way at genocide. Compassionate nations don't abandon helpless victims and embrace cruel dictators. Compassionate nations must not abandon criminal law, justice, and human rights necessary for the consistent application of law for peace. They must show the world that crimes against humanity have consequences.

For too many years, the nations of the world have shown tolerance and silence to the war criminal Al-Bashir. It is past time for the nations of the world to begin to show mercy towards Al-Bashir's many victims and demonstrate enough compassion to care for justice for Al-Bashir's victims and to tell Al-Bashir and other war criminals "Never Again."

If the compassionate people and nations of the world fail to seek justice, dignity, and human rights in Darfur, what message will this send to those who seek to oppress others and rob them of their human rights around the world? If we suspend the ICC indictment against Al-Bashir, why bother to have international law and a standard of human rights that rejects genocide and war crimes?

Mr. Prendergast and Mr. Clooney are concerned about a "slow-motion war." Who will be concerned about the "slow-motion" denial of human rights, dignity, and justice for the people of Darfur and Sudan?

About the Author: Mohamed A. Yahya is a founder and executive director of Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy. Also, 2010 nominee for Dan David Pulitzer Prize.www.damanga.org.

The above article is a response to the article by John Prendergast and George Clooney:

U.S must help stop Sudan's slow-motion war

and can be found at www.usatoday.com

Below is my comment left at

www.enoughproject.org/blogs/us-must-help-stop-sudans-slow-motion-war

Justice for crimes against humanity

Submitted by Sandra Hammel (not verified) on June 16, 2010 - 11:52pm.

Quote from the Prendergast/Clooney article: "...the U.S. would move to normalize relations with Sudan and work in the U.N. Security Council to suspend the war crimes indictment of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir under Article 16 of the International Criminal Court charter." The Darfuris that I know, believe that the most important thing is that al-Bashir be tried and justice be done. Your proposal that the USA play a part in suspending the ICC indictment of Omar al-Bashir has nothing to do with justice. The Darfuris that I have heard speak, say "Justice first, only then, will peace follow." The sentiment in the quote from the Prendergast/Clooney article is the most disturbing sentiment I have read by a human rights activist. Mohamed Yahya states in response to this article: " Mr. Prendergast and Mr. Clooney are concerned about a ‘slow-motion war.’ Who will be concerned about the ‘slow-motion’ denial of human rights, dignity, and justice for the people of Darfur and Sudan?” Mohamed A. Yahya is a founder and executive director of Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy. Also, 2010 nominee for Dan David Pulitzer Prize.

www.radiodabanga.org

www.whilewewaitsudan.org

ionsudan.net

Contact President Obama

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

202-456-1111

including all national elected officials at

1-800 GENOCIDE

JUSTICE FIRST . . . PEACE WILL FOLLOW

Moved by Faith: A Call for Peace in Sudan

Current events in Sudan are dire, and it is critical that the faith community revive engagement with Sudan not only in their local community, but also internationally. This summer clergy of all denominations will unite in prayer for the people of Sudan. Together, we can keep loud the drumbeat for engagement on peace and security for all of Sudan.

Join other faith leaders in signing the letter calling on President Obama to continue his work for lasting peace in Sudan.

Signing the letter is only the first step. The weekend of August 28^th-30^th, just before the U.S. takes the Presidency of the UN Security Council in September, communities of faith will unite in prayer and action for Sudan. Sign up as a Congregation of Conscience for forthcoming details.

Resources

• Visit our Faith Outreach page for additional resources and materials please.

• Moved By Faith Button:

• Download the petition to collect signatures from members of clergy in your local community.

Sudan Interfaith Working Group

The Sudan Interfaith Working Group is a network of U.S-based faith organizations that work to support peace in Sudan through coordination of advocacy efforts and other initiatives that engage the faith community. The working group is comprised of representatives from many denominations and beliefs, including Christian, Jewish, and Muslim advocacy and humanitarian organizations.

Thank you for standing for justice and peace
and being a voice for this defining issue

GENOCIDE WILL STOP WITH US

No More Empty Promises

"The Most Important Office is That of Private Citizen"
Louis D. Brandeis

Comments to President Obama:
202-456-1111 or 1-800-GENOCIDE

Dear President Obama - A letter sent March 12, 2009

Join the Fast for Darfuris

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed people could change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead

IT'S NOT ENOUGH THAT YOU HAVE FREEDOM

I BELIEVE USING YOUR VOICE TO SPEAK UP FOR JUSTICE IS NECESSARY

JUSTICE DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN

I have been preoccupied with real life recently and haven't posted in several days. I led a lobby meeting regarding Sudan, Darfur and genocide to our United States Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed's office on December 9, this past Tuesday. It is the fifth time since April 2006 that I have lobbied him on Darfur. During the preparation time and follow-up I have squeezed in a couple of movies, yesterday, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and today Changeling.

Over the years, I have also lobbied our other Senator who was Lincoln Chafee and now is Sheldon Whitehouse, as well as our U.S. RI Representative Patrick Kennedy regarding Darfur.

Here is some of the information used for our meeting this week:

OVERVIEW for Darfur and Sudan

On July 22, 2004 the United States Congress took an unprecedented step when it recognized that the ongoing atrocities occurring in Darfur were genocide. However—nearly 4 and a half years later—the genocide continues. So far this year, at least 1,200 people have been killed by direct violence and over 300,000 people have been displaced. 2008 also saw the continuation of the Sudanese government's offensive military overflights in Darfur with 43 attacks. Darfur peace initiatives have failed and the current peacekeeping mission is still largely ineffective.

What’s Needed in Darfur: a Three-Pronged Approach

Peace Surge: An expedited and robust commitment to peace is needed. This will require the selection of a senior official responsible for this issue. The United States must also reach out to interested parties with leverage in Sudan and the region, especially China, the United Kingdom, France and key African countries, to coordinate efforts.

Commitment to an Effective Peacekeeping Mission: UNAMID is failing to achieve its central goal of protecting the civilian population in Darfur. A robust force on the ground in Darfur, with a competent lead nation and a clear command and control structure, is essential for saving lives, creating an environment amenable to the peace surge and establishing the international credibility required to ensure that a broader peace strategy succeeds.

Accountability and Justice: Accountability for crimes against humanity in Darfur remains an essential element of a lasting peace in Sudan. A premature deferral of the cases against Sudan’s leadership through invocation of Article 16 of the ICC’s Rome Statute would set back the cause of peace. The U.S. should veto any UNSC resolution invoking Article 16.

Preferred Responses to Questions
for Presidential Nominees on Darfur/Sudan
December 9, 2008
U.S. RI Senator Jack Reed - Policy Director Nancy Langrall

Question 1: Is ending the genocide in Darfur a top-five foreign policy priority for the Obama administration?

• Genocide in Darfur has greatly contributed to instability in the entire region. Instability, particularly on this scale, should be a serious concern as it relates to U.S. security.
• Iraq and Afghanistan are important foreign policy priorities, but Darfur should be too.
• The U.S. does not need to send troops to Darfur, but we need a concerted diplomatic effort to get an international peacekeeping force on the ground, get an inclusive peace process, accountability for perpetrators of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Question 2: Under what circumstances would the Obama administration consider Article 16 for the case of Sudan?

• Support vetoing Article 16.
• If Article 16 is going to be invoked, worries that the following won’t happen:
o Peace deal
o Alternative mechanism for accountability
o Evidence that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement has been implemented

Don’t trade accountability for war crimes for empty promises from Khartoum.

Question 3: What steps will you take to reinvigorate UNAMID?

UNAMID, the hybrid U.N.-African Union mission in Darfur, is failing to achieve its central goal of protecting the civilian population in the region.
• Sudanese government cannot be allowed to dictate the terms of UNAMID. We must not allow Khartoum to decide the mission’s force size, national composition, the extent of AU versus international participation, timeframe for deployment, or civilian protection mandate.
• We need a robust force on the ground in Darfur with a competent lead nation and a clear command-and-control structure is essential for saving lives, creating an environment amenable to the peace surge. This will establish the international credibility required to ensure that a broader peace strategy succeeds.

Question 4: Who will have the Sudan portfolio in an Obama administration? To whom will that person report?

• We need a senior U.S. official within the Administration (as high up as possible) to take responsibility for the “Darfur/Sudan Portfolio”. This person will make this issue progressively improve from the day he or she is assigned to the Sudanese issues.

• The reporting structure should reflect the importance of the issue by ensuring that a lead decision-maker in the Administration is readily made aware of any changes on the ground.

Question 5: In 2008, there were 43 reported aerial attacks in Darfur. What will your administration do to enforce the UN ban on military offensive overflights by the Government of Sudan?

The U.N. Security Council has demanded an end to offensive military flights several times, most recently in Resolution 1769, which authorized UNAMID. UNAMID has not enforced that demand. It is clear that the Obama administration and the U.N. Security Council need to consider how best to counter these continuing aerial flights and provocations and then make the plans work.
• What are the nominee’s thoughts on a no-fly zone? What would a no-fly zone entail? How else might offensive military overflights be stopped?

Question 6: Given its dependence on Sudanese oil, China has an interest in a peaceful Sudan. What steps will you take to work with China to ensure that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement holds and that the crisis in Darfur is ended through a negotiated solution?

• We need to change the conversation with China. In other words, appeal to China’s economic interest in Sudan. Use China’s economic interest, as a starting point to work with China on an initiative for peace in Sudan.

Lobby your U.S. Congressperson -
Setting up and Preparing for a Face to Face Meeting

An in-person visit with a member of Congress or their staff is the single most effective way you can advocate for an end to genocide. You can meet your legislator or their staff in Washington, DC, or in their district office near your home.

How to schedule a meeting
• Find the office phone number for the district or Washington, DC office of your elected official. Go to www.congress.org
• Enter your zip code and then select which official you would like to send a message.
• The "contact" tab will give you the phone numbers of both the district and Washington, DC offices.
• Choose which office you would like to call based upon where you will be meeting (if you are meeting in-district call the district office closest to you).
• Call the office and ask to speak to the scheduler.

Schedule your meeting
• Let the scheduler know that you are a concerned constituent interested in meeting with your representative/senator.
• Be prepared to describe who you are and what you would like to talk to your legislator about.
• If your representative/senator is not available, ask to meet with the legislative assistant who handles international affairs.

What to expect
• It may be difficult to meet with your elected official in person. However, you can always meet with a member of your elected official's staff. Oftentimes meeting with the staff member who handles international affairs is the best person to talk to about your issue.
• Don't go alone. It will be easier to get a meeting and have greater impact if you have a group of people and/or represent a group of people.

What to bring to your meeting
• A printed copy of your legislator’s report card from www.DarfurScores.org
• Basic talking points on the conflict and your specific ask.
• Other members of your community concerned about the issue.
• Information about your efforts, your organization and any related local news coverage.
• A camera to document your visit. Got pictures? Send them to info@genocideintervention.net

My personal advice: As I have scheduled and organized several lobby meetings, I have found that the scheduler wants the names of constituents who will come one week in advance. Constituents don't always make this easy on you. I had one college student email me at 10:00 p.m the night before our appointment this week and say that four college students would be "showing up" at our lobby appointment. This puts the organzier of the meeting in an uneasy position. You want to present yourselves as well-prepared and follow rules of common courtesy to the Senator's office staff.

I have been asked to email my agenda in advance of the meeting to their offices. But always, I bring copies of the agenda to the meeting and hand it to the staff when arriving. This is much appreciated even if it isn't required by the office.

I have always had a meeting with the constituents one hour in advance near the Congressperson's office to go over the agenda and assign different points to the participants. This makes us look well-organized, answer any questions and allows us to feel more comfortable ourselves.

We want to make our "asks" known, but also the goal is to build a relationship with the Congressperson's staff for future follow-up contacts.

I encourage you to get the office phone numbers in your home state and in Washington, D.C. and email addresses of key people in your Congresspeople's offices. Let them know how you feel about any issue. It is their job to hear you. Tell them why the issue is important to you.

Senator Reed told me in the previous lobby meeting to let him know when I know something about Darfur, a bill about Darfur, etc, because he doesn't always know. It is very important to follow-up with their offices also. They don't do what they say they will do necessarily. "Squeaky wheels" will be the ones that get attention. Patrick Kennedy told me that one.

Also, President-elect Obama has set up a page for you to let him and his staff know what is on your mind. Here is the direct link: http://change.gov/page/s/yourstory

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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - Clips and Interviews
Thanks to the upload by allaboutfilm24

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Trailer - The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Thanks to and uploaded by TheMoviePreviews

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Changeling trailer
True story
Recommended
Angelina Jolie
Clint Eastwood
Thanks to and uploaded by screamingangieZ

I saw Imagining Argentina recently on cable TV
which is about governments who have silenced voices by murdering the people (happening now). This document includes case studies of enforced disappearances around the world including in Pakistan, Philippines, Iraq, Lebanon, Russia, USA and Chad: www.amnesty.org

Facts and Figures

Trial into the murder of human rights journalist Anna Politkovskaya

www.amnesty.org - Enforced Disappearances

www.amnesty.org - Human Rights by Country

They Dance Alone - During Pinochet's Regime

It is this time of year that Christians like to post
PEACE ON EARTH. That is far from the truth.

I hope you won't be silent or a "sheep" this season.
Justice only survives when we tend to it.

Otherwise injustice grows like weeds.

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All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
Maestro Marcelo Ramos
Coro Madrigale
Orquestra Sinfônica de Minas Gerais
December 19 and 20, 2007
Grande Teatro do Palácio das Artes
Thanks to and uploaded by gusarquiteto from Brazil

Human Rights Watch: www.hrw.org

Important News

PEACE IS BREAKING OUT WHERE?