August 9, 2004

Human Rights in Darfur, Sudan

Join us for a chat to discuss the latest news on Darfur, Sudan.

Amnesty International is seriously concerned about the severe humanitarian and human rights crisis in Darfur, Sudan. Tens of thousands of people are estimated to have been killed in Darfur, Western Sudan since the conflict erupted in February 2003. Over a million have been driven from their homes and 120,000 have sought refuge in neighboring Chad.

Featured Guest: Adotei Akwei

From our featured guest: "I look forward to answering your questions on August 9. For the latest information on Sudan, go to Amnesty International USA's Sudan Country page."

---

Question Submitted by Bonnie:

If there is more security for aid workers in the near future, do you think more aid agencies will be willing to help? And...how many more IDP camps do you think are still needed along the border?

Adotei Akwei answers:

It is possible that if conditions were more secure agencies would be able to expand their operations and therefore recruit more people. At the same time it is likley that more people would join up if they felt that the environment were more secure.
According to USAID there are roughly 1.3 million displaced persons in Darfur and in Chad. At the end of July humanitarian assistance was estimated to be reaching at most 700,000 people so there is a great deal more assistance needed both in Darfur and in Chad.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by nancy:

why in the heck isn't AI calling what's happening a genocide?

Adotei Akwei answers:

There are specific conditions that define genocide and we have not been allowed access to the country to confirm that that what is happening is genocide.
Please visit our Web site for the latest information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Larry:

What efforts are being made now, to "encourage" the Sudan government to reign-in their militas, and to disarm these factions (additionally, any idea where the weapons have come from that Sudan uses to supply these milita's ... ).

Adotei Akwei answers:

Resolutions have been passed by the UN Security Council and the African Union all calling on the Sudanese government to disarm and disband the militias. The UN SC resolution also gave a thirty day deadline when this is to have been completed after which the Security Council will consider punitive actions.
There have also been strong calls for action to disband these militias from other regional bodies such as the European Union and individual countries like the United Kingdom and the United States so the message is being conveyed to the government of Sudan, however it does not appear they are taking it seriously.
In the region around Sudan it is unfortunatley too easy to get small arms. There have been conflicts in Chad, the Central African Republic, Ethiopa and Eritrea so purchasing weapons is not too difficult.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Mark:

What is the best way to effect change with the Sudan government? Should the UN bring immediate sanctions or will that aggravate the situtation? Is it feasible for the UN to send in troops?

Adotei Akwei answers:

At the moment the only real option is the African Union's Peace and Security Council ceasefire monitoring initiative which has been authorized to operate in with the agreement of the government. Other options such as a UN force or even an intervention by a single country would run in to concerns and very likley opposition from the African Union and from Muslim countries around the world. It would take a long time to address and straighten out these concerns. Any intervention would also have to go over the objections of the Sudanese government, objections based on national sovereignty - a sensitive issue at the moment.
Time is the one thing we do not have in Darfur so the only realistic option is AU's efforts to change the size and mandate of it ceasefire monitoring initiative so that lives can be saved.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Hazel:

What is the government of Chad doing to help the refugees from Sudan?

Adotei Akwei answers:

The Chadian government is currently hosting nearly 200,000 and just over a week ago signed an agreement with UNHCR to open a new camp. The Chadian authorities have also committed themselves to conducting joint border patrols with the Sudanese army to stop cross border raids by the Janjawid militia and have also allowed French troops stationed in Chad to help with border security.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Majarni:

I am really not sure of the situation in Darfur, would someone please explain exctly what is going on in Sudan. Is it guerilla warfare or civil war? I guess I haven't paid much attention any other issues at hand, since joining CARE.

Adotei Akwei answers:

The Darfur region of Western Sudan has been in conflict for over 2 years, however the scale of the crisis escalated dramatically at the begining of 2003. The Sudanese government, in an effort to crush two armed opposition group, the Sudan Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement armed supported the activities of an militia group known as the Janjawid. Together with regular Sudanese armed forces and the Sudanese airforce, the Janjawid have displaced 1.3 million people, destroyed, by some estimates, 300 villages and killed over 30,000, an estimate that some experts claim is out of date. Human rights abuses have been committed by all armed groups however the activities of the janjawid have been declared war crimes and crimes against humanity by some groups and genocide by others. Hanging over this violent displacement is a major humanitarian crisis where tens of thousands may still die due to the lack of shelter, medicine and food. You can look through our web page for more information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Leslie:

The situation in Darfur seems so overwhelming. Many times I feel like I can't do much as an individual. Though I am sure my feelings are based on a perception that bad things continue to happen without real solutions all over the world. I do know that Amnesty is very active and doing as much as it can. What can I do as an individual that will be most beneficial to the people of this region who are suffering so>

Adotei Akwei answers:

While the situation in Darfur is bleak and can appear overwhelming it is important to remember that people there are surviving, trying to take care of themselves and their families and they asking for help. It can be through taking part in some of the actions on our webpage or supporting humanitarian organizations or you can challenge governments to meet their obligations to take care of their people. All too often we forget that even sending a message of solidarity, the reminder that even far away people care and are working on their behalf can be extremely important. Specifically, we need to ensure a humanitarian response adequate to meet the needs of the people in Darfur and in Chad and we need to ensure that the international community restores safety and security to Darfur. Please stay involved. You can make a difference.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Randeep:

Is there a need for volunteers here in the United States to go to Africa to help? How can we get involved?

Adotei Akwei answers:

There is a need for more humanitarian assistance, however I do not know if this includes more volunteers. I suggest you visit the Interaction website and seek guidance from groups involved in humanitarian operations in Darfur.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Yolanda:

I am an Active Duty soldier in the U.S. Army, and I don't have a lot of time, but the crisis in Darfur is an important issue to me. Can you suggest something that I can do to help this most critical of human right's issues?

Adotei Akwei answers:

Please look at the actions on Darfur our website and take action in a manner that suits your time constraints.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Paul Fischer:

I live in Grand Island, NE, where over 400 Sudanese families have relocated. What can ordinary citizens like myself do to push this humanitarian crisis into the public conscience?

Adotei Akwei answers:

You are sitting on a wonderful resource. All too often people think that that during crises like this there is no one from the country trying to help or speak up and do something which is not true. AIUSA and other organizations have developed resources and actions for people to educate and mobilize to meet this crisis. You should consider organizing an event in your region, to raise the level or awareness about the crisis and how it is now linked with Grand Island and Nebraska by virtue of the Sudanese community. If you contact our Mid-West office in Chicago, they will be able to tell you about an upcoming touring photo exhibit, speaker lists and videos materials that can be used in an educational event. Using those in addition to having members of the Sudanese community would make a very powerful event.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Kathleen:

What can the USA government and other governments do to change this horrible situation in Darfur, Sudan?

Adotei Akwei answers:

The international community needs to increase pressure on the Sudanese government to disarm the janjawid militia immediately, there have been too many delays and the nature of this crisis and how it has unfolded suggest that the civilian population does not have another 30 days to wait for the Janjawid militia to be disarmed.
The international community also needs to establish an international commission of inquiriy to look in to all the the events, abuses, underyling causes and suggest remedies to resolve sources of conflict and rebuild from the crisis. Finally, the international community must mobilize to meet the humanitarian crisis.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Indivar Dutta-Gupta:

I am actually writing in from Accra, Ghana. Many African (not to mention Asian and others) countries use sovereignty and cultural relativism claims to justify human rights abuses. How is the Sudanese Government doing this and how can this be overcome, especially within Africa? For example, I am astonished that African governments themselves have not put more pressure on Sudan.

Adotei Akwei answers:

The Sudanese authorities have and continue to use sovereignty and cultural relativism as a key tool to divert and weaken international condemnation of abuses committed by the janjawid and the Sudanese armed forces. Arguments have included first the denial of the crisis, references to historical tensions and the fact that there have alwasy been clashes between different ethnic groups in Darfur.
The government has also insisted that the crisis is an African problem that must be solved by African methods and then has gone on to insist that any African solution must be based on the African tradition of honoring national sovereignty.
The AU which is still quite new and its Peace and Security Council have already gone farther then the OAU, its predecessor would have done, due to its policy on the sanctity of national sovereignity. That said however, the AU is now faced with the stark fact that unless it goes further, and very possibly acts over the objections and arguments of the Sudanese government, hundreds of thousands of people will die and that this responsibility for this catastrophe, rightly or wrongly will be placed on the AU and how much it bows to calls to respect national sovereignty and cultural.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Diane:

How can I become a sponsor for familes in refugee camps in Chad, to enter the U.S.?

Adotei Akwei answers:

I would suggest contacting Interaction to see if sponsoring Sudanese refugees from Darfur is possible
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Diana:

Dear Mr. Akwei, First, let me send my deepest and most sincere hopes for a peaceful and prosperous Sudan. I pray for the healing of all afflicted Sudanese people and especially the women who have suffered the horror of rape and humiliation. Second, I am concerned, as perhaps others are, that this will result in an armed conflict supported by US and other allied troops - similar in nature to the recent events in Iraq. I personally disagree with this as a potential solution, as I see the inevitable destruction that war of any kind creates. I am very interested in your thoughts on this issue. What are our alternatives? How many do we have? Sincerely and with thanks, Diana Richard

Adotei Akwei answers:

Amnesty International does not and has never called for a military intervention.
What we are urging is that the African Union's Cease Fire Monitoring unit, already agreed to by the government of Sudan, by the African Union and endorsed by the UN Security Council be expanded and enhanced in order to effectively protect human lives and restore security. This in effect would be a peacekeeping mission and would have the authority and backing of the United Nations and the international community. It would be an effort by an officially recognised regional body to save lives.
This is a critical difference from a unilateral intervention cited in your question. More importantly it is the only option we have due to the fact that we are running out of time and experts predict that the mortality rate in Darfur will increase dramtically in the next few weeks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Mariam:

What specific things can the Amnesty International club at my high school do to help the situation in Sudan?

Adotei Akwei answers:

First make sure you visit the Darfur webpage and look at the action options available to you.
In addition we will soon be placing a photo exhibition on Darfur in the member section and will also be touring the exhibition in five cities around the country. These photos could could be displayed in your high school, City Hall or some other community meeting spot.
All of us should be supporting the work of our humanitarian colleagues. We must make sure that the issue does not fade away from policymakers in Washington DC. We also have to ensure that the Sudanese government realizes that our attention and concern wil not fade or move on.
At the very least we should be increasing awareness, and activism here in the United States so that the people of Darfur realize that they have not been forgotten.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Gabriel:

Dear Adotei, Has any step been taken towards having a dialogue with the warring parties?

Adotei Akwei answers:

Hi Gabriel,
There have been several attempts to start talks but the last effort failed becuase the armed oppostion groups refused to participate, citing continued attacks by the Janjawid militia.
The next effort has been scheduled to take place in Abuja Nigeria on August 23
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Courtney:

Are there any corporations interested in land in the conflicted region who are funding the Sudanese government?

Adotei Akwei answers:

No one has suggested any corporate involvement or naturual resource as being the hidden cause of the Darfur crisis with the exception of competion over water between nomadic and sedentry populations.
However the Sudanese government is now pumping oil in the eastern part of the country. These revenues are now contributing to the government's treasury.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by marisa:

are there many orphans displaced in darfur and whats going to happen to them?

Adotei Akwei answers:

I have not seen any breakdown of how many women, children and men make up the 1.3 million displaced. There is no question that there are a significant number of children, based on just the number of rapes groups like AI are investigating along with the number of children who may have managed to survive having to flee from their homes.

I would suggest visiting the Interaction website
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Dr. Mohamed Nezami:

Dear activist: As an Arab and an American, my biggest worry for Sudan not to break to parts and to stay intact as a unified land. What do you think will eventually happen in Sudan ? is about to be divided among three groups, something that would create another several centuries of factions and wars !!! Mohamed Nezami Florida, USA

Adotei Akwei answers:

In all honesty all I would be doing would be speculating, these kinds of predictions are not only beyond the brief of AI but they would deflect from the critical issue of much needed and much delayed reform in terms of establishing respect for human right, accountability and the rule of law.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Mumina:

Why aren't other African countries coming to rescue the Black Sudanese from these god-awful Arabs. How can you stand by and allow these thugs to rape children and women and do nothing about it. Shame on all of you so-called civilized bushman.

Adotei Akwei answers:

I can't and will not speak for the governments in the African Union, however there may be a few things that may not be so well known.
The African Union brokered a ceasefire in April, and in July initiated a ceasefire monitoring excercise which calls for 120 monitors and 300 troop to protect them. The AU has now started to discuss trying to convert this force in to a 2,000 troop peacekeeping force.
It is not much, it is not enough but it is not nothing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Karen:

What is AI's position on the UN resolution of July 30th?

Adotei Akwei answers:

While we welcome the fact the the Security Council has added its voice to those calling for swift action by the Sudanese authorities, we are disappointed by yet another extention of time for the Janajwid to continue to operate freely, 30 days is an extention that the people of Darfur cannot afford.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Karen:

Is it safe or feasible, or even welcomed, that a person could go to Sudan and make themselves useful?

Adotei Akwei answers:

I would check with humanitarian organizations about volunteering and what the conditions are.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Emily:

Does A.I. advocate US military intervention against the government of Sudan? Is there a diplomatic way to aid the people of Darfur?

Adotei Akwei answers:

No we do not. We are calling for the African Union's ceasefire monitoring team and its accompanying security detail (which has been backed by the UN Security Council) to be expanded and enhanced so that it can protect civilians in Darfur.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Eileen:

What can we, the citizens of the world , have done 18 months ago to assist the people of the Sudan. Perhaps more media attention?

Adotei Akwei answers:

More attention, by the media, by the United Nations, the African Union and the US government among others could have made a critical difference and saved thousands lives. Also an insistence that the Sudanese government respect and uphold the fundamental human rights of all the people of Sudan could also have sent a critical message, a message that still needs to be sent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Melissa:

Hey Adotei! My name is Melissa and we met at Bethel College when you came to speak on Africa. I am also the new SVAWC for TN and my question is: Can you give us some advice on addressing the women's issues in Darfur and what do you see to be the most powerful tool in making a difference in Darfur? Also, when discussing with the public about the issues in Africa, what do you find they are most responsive to? I thank you for your time and efforts!

Adotei Akwei answers:

Hi Melissa,
Good to hear from you and to hear that you are involved in the SVAW campaign.
Regarding increasing awareness around the issue of gender violence in Darfur I would focus on supporting the efforts of Sudanese women and African women to fight for their rights and to fight this scourge of rape and gender based violence. You can contact our Womens department to try and identify speakers from Sudan and if possible from Darfur so that your efforts are in synch with activists and people from the region, on the ground and who are the most impacted. It important that all of us work as their allies and equals.
Regarding the violations in Darfur, you should be building alliances with community groups in solidarity with the women of Darfur to raise awareness and continue to press the government of Sudan to meets its obligations to protect the women of Darfur.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Adam:

Do the people of Darfur want help from the United States or do they not care who the get help from as long as they get help?

Adotei Akwei answers:

They need help. I am am not aware of any conditions attached to their requests.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by josh:

could you please give us some insight into what the u.n., u.s., u.k., african alliance and other countries have been doing the past few months about this crisis and the obstacles that have prevented them from intervening directly? thank you.

Adotei Akwei answers:

All these entities have been heavily involved in brokering the peace process between the Government of Sudan and the SPLA. All three initially downplayed the crisis in Darfur out of concern that focusing on it might derail the peace talks that were to end over 30 years of conflict.
However when the scale of the crisis in Darfur started to deepen and come to the public's attention the U.S., UK
started to press for the Khartoum government to address the human rights and humanitarian crisis.
The AU brokered a ceasefire and secured an agreement by the government and the rebels to allow ceasefire monitors and to allow unhindered access and operations for humanitarian organizations.
The biggest obstacle to the efforts of these entities remains the government of Sudan and time.
The government has failed to disarm and arrest persons guilty of human rights abuses, especially the janjawid militia. The government blocked and impeded the operation of humanitarian organizations and while much of the official red tape that caused terrible delays has been addressed it took so
long that access to these displaced persons is now extremley difficult due to the rainy season and full access to all camps has not been established.
The final obstacle is time, if enough food and shelter do not reach these people, expert predict hundreds of thousands of deaths by end of December.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Lisa:

What can Bethel College students do to help bring attention to the situation in Sudan? Mr. Akwei did a great job sharing the situation in Sub-Saharan Africa last spring on our campus. We have students who have been working this summer on human right issues. He was right! "One person can make a difference in human rights."

Adotei Akwei answers:

Hi Lisa,
Good to hear from you! I am glad to hear that some of the students are working on human rights issues.
In terms of Darfur and Sudan I would encourage th students to use the downloadable photo exhibition that will be available soon, and put up the images in common areas or if possible in a room in City hall. They could also try to see if they could show a video on Sudan, just get in touch with the Atlanta AIUSA office to see what they have.
Finally the students should remember to thank Senator Alexander for his leadership on this issue and encourage him to do more.
Take care and say hi to everyone
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by James:

The slaughter of innocent civilians in the Darfur region of the Sudan has finally garnered significant international media attention resulting in action as 1.2 million people are threatened there. We welcome and applaud the response that is currently directed at bringing the genocide to the worlds attention. In neighboring Uganda, the current dire humanitarian crisis in Acholi region has been left to continue unabated in the last 18 years and has lacked total condemnation from organisations such such as yours. We all know that the suffering has been caused by massive and systematic violations of both domestic and international human rights and humanitarian law subsequently culminating to crimes against humanity committed by the LRA, UPDF, SPLA and worst of all, the NRM government’s policies constituted in the region. Mass murder, Rape, Detention, Abduction, Cutting of limbs, Spread of HIV/AIDS & other diseases, starvation and the dreaded concentration camps (IDPs) have all become weapons in the this silent genocide. We know that these crimes have violently driven nearly two million people from their homes (in most cases driven or asked to leave their home within 48 hours by the UPDF & government militias); untold thousands upon thousands of Acholi sons & daughters have died or suffered grievously as a result of these atrocities. Why do you think your organisation and other humanitarian organisations operate under a policy of selective enforcement of justice and human rights? And don’t you think that this type of hypocrisy is what provides license to tyrants like Museveni and Bashir?.

Adotei Akwei answers:

The crisis in N. Uganda is apalling. It is nothing less than a war on children and has been allowed to continue for over 18 years and for that we all share some of the blame.
AI has been and will continue to work on this issue and support efforts to protect the people in the region, and restore the rule of law. We will fight for protection of human rights, ending the use of children as soldiers and increase and improve demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation programs in N. Uganda.
AIUSA has worked to support passage of Congressional resolutions condemning the situation and calling on all parties to press the Ugandan government to devote more resources and time to seeking a non-military solution to the conflict. The resolution, S. 2264 which was passed by Congrsss and signed by President Bush also calls for a report of how US military assistance to the UPDF has been used. AI has also welcomed and will assist in any way it can the investigation of the N. Uganda crisis by the international Criminal Court.
All of that said, it is still not enough and we all acknowledge that. Nothing short of peace and security yesterday for all the people of Uganda, and in particular N. Uganda and especially the children, will ever be an acceptable measure of success. We look forward to working with people on further publicizing this crisis, mobilizing more support and looking for wars to have a genuine impact on the ground. Please feel free to contact me so we can better coordinate.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Question Submitted by Bill:

Are you not missing the human rights issues in South Sudan when you focus only on Darfur? The problems there are the same and have existed for 21 year. The magnitude of the problem is vastly greater.

Adotei Akwei answers:

You are absolutely correct.
AI has been consistently called for human rights abuses throughout Sudan to be addressed. When the peace process between the government and the SPLA was being brokered we urged all parties to look in to all of the human rights issues that the country faced and that needed to be addressed. Lasting peace in Sudan will come only when the rights of all Sudanese are respected and protected. We need to address the human rights problems at the roots of the crises in darfur, in Malakal and throughout the country or we will just be moving from one crisis to another.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

ASK AMNESTY Home

The views expressed in the online discussions hosted on this site reflect the views of the discussion guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Amnesty International USA. Amnesty International USA does not necessarily sponsor, endorse, recommend or license content posted by third parties.