September 5, 2006

Ask Amnesty: Darfur: ‘All of our nightmares have become realities’

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland said on Monday that unless the international community takes immediate steps to stop the violence, the Darfur region is within weeks of “a man-made catastrophe of an unprecedented scale."

For an on-the-ground perspective on the crisis unfolding in Darfur and eastern Chad, join us next Tuesday, September 5, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. EDT for an online discussion with Amnesty International researcher Theo Murphy, who recently returned from eastern Chad. Learn how you can help ensure protection for those who've been displaced by violence in the conflict and how you can get involved with activities surrounding the global Day for Darfur on September 17th.

Featured Guest: Theo Murphy

From our featured guest: "I look forward to speaking to you on Tuesday."

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Question Submitted by Guy Gainsforth:

At this point, what actions is the security council proposing? Also, what options are there short of military intervention?

Theo Murphy answers:

Right now the Security Council has apporved a UN peacekeeping force but Sudan has withheld its consent-meaning nothing is going to change on the ground.

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Question Submitted by Jane Rye McQueeney:

Mr. Murphy, What is the central issue that prevents the needed care from reaching the refugees fleeing Darfur? Thank you, Jane Rye McQueeney jmcqueeney@houston.rr.com 281.844.1608

Theo Murphy answers:

There are 2 problems really. One is for refugees who are across the border in Chad and the other is for the internally displaced inside Darfur. In Chad things are better-not good-but better. There it is a question of funding and logistics for UNHCR to bring aid. In Darfur its a different story. Insecurity is the biggest problem. Rogue commanders, bandits, and the Janjawid have all begun targetting aid. Secondly the Government still has a hostile position vis-a-vis foreign aid. They make visas and permits difficult and often threaten or actually expel or otherwide impede aid workers.
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Question Submitted by Mary:

What can we, as individuals, do to help?

Theo Murphy answers:

I think the problem is now political. UN peacekeeping has been approved but Sudan has not consetted to the UN force. Without the consent no country will contribute troops and basically nothing will happen. As individuals we need to pressure our own governments to use meaningful political leverage against Sudan to guarantee its consent. Governments speak often of 'continuing efforts' etc, but we need to hold them to account in terms of actual accomplishments. The US most likely has some heretofore unutilised levarage with Sudan-now is the time to use it to secure consent for the UN peacekeepers.
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Question Submitted by Roxy:

In addition to sending funds, what specifically can an American woman do to help thwart further atrocities? Thank you!

Theo Murphy answers:

Again we need to use the power of public mobilisation. We need to send the message to our government that not enough has been done in Sudan. Right now we need the US government to pull out all the stops in terms of political pressure in order to get Sudan to consent to the deployment of a UN peackeeping force, which has already just been approved by the UN Security Council. We can't accept the US governments, or any government's position that they have done all they can and Sudan is balking.
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Question Submitted by Chad:

With regards to disease, what appears to be the most prevalent or the biggest problem?

Theo Murphy answers:

Honestly we do not follow the statistics on mortality and morbidity figures as we are a human rights not a humanitarian aid organisation. Nonetheless I do have some idea. Generally differnet forms of intestinal diseases are quite a serious problem. On a note more related to human rights the problem of rape and its treatment this is still difficult. Women have trouble accessing health care for this issue and cannot get easy treatment in government hospitals as they require proof of the rape, and documentation.
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Question Submitted by Charles Coulter:

The New York Times well over a month ago quoted the President of Sudan as saying he would never accept UN peacekeepers in Darfur. Do you think there is any possibility of using the threat of extremely punitive economic sanctions against Sudan to buy time to protect the Darur refugees prior to the impending war? How can pressure be applied to do this? Thank you.

Theo Murphy answers:

This comes back to the question of how to get Sudan's consent. Sudan's President-but not all of the Sudanese government namely the SPLM-still refuses the UN force. Geo-politically their position is clever. They have exploited sentiment in the Arab world around Iraq and Lebanon to portray the UN force as a western and imperialist force backed by the US. Now Sanctions are one concrete way to put pressure on the ruling clique to relent. But will they actually have any effect? Probably outside of the symbolic value-no. But I do believe that powerful governments, such as the US, have other political cards that can be played in order to encourage Sudan to consent. When the US and UK now say that they have pushed a UN resolution without Sudan's consent; we cannot let them drop the ball there and say 'we've done all we can'. Its the same with sanctions. These can act as a fig leaf for inaction on real interests both in the US, UK and other countries and that touch Sudan where it hurts. We should keepp pushing our government's to get the consent no matter what the obstacle and I think if the public 'people' pressure and media pressure is great enough there will have to be real action.
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Question Submitted by patricia:

I represent 3 organizations, Coomunity of St. Sabina, Senator Jacqueline Collins (state senator- district 16) who sponsored the historic Sudan divestment bill and CodePink. Senator Collisn as a prvate citizen, Rev, Pfleger, myslef as well as a delegation of people from CodePink-primarily medical personel, are interested in visiting the region to see first hand and then to educate our constituencies. Please advise? PJB

Theo Murphy answers:

I think the best way is to try and get the Senator to organise a visit to Sudan; and travel as a part of his entourage. The government does not easily grant visas. I think the best thing now for your constituency to be doing is raising the issue of Sudan's non-consent to the UN peacekeeping force and NOT allowing the politicians to dodge the issue. They need to find a way to get the consent and with enough, and the rights, pressure it is possible.
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Question Submitted by Lisa:

Besides supporting Amnesty International, what can average Americans do to have an impact on this horrible situation?

Theo Murphy answers:

This comes back again to keeping the issue in the public eye and getting our politicians to act on it. UN peacekeeping-the best hope for civilians right now-has been approved by the Security Council of the UN but no Sudan despite this has refused. Without Sudan's consent nothing will go ahead. Government's, I believe, with consistent and real pressure, can do something to get Sudan's consent. Its essential that this is the goal that they are held to account to. We should demand that our governments push for this and don't let up until they get it.
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Question Submitted by Thomas:

Why are the richest nations,i.e., United States, China, Japan, etc., dragging their feet in providing aid to Darfur?

Theo Murphy answers:

I think as happens in many crisis 'donor fatigue' has settled in. Donors often rush to be seen to be doing something immediately when a crisis emerges and the media attention is greatest. With no solution in sight continual aid seems somehow not to be accomplishing anything. For now one of the most needed things is food aid. The World Food Programme has had a deficit for quite a few months and had to cut rations in the past. From speaking with Darfuris I know this is the most important thing they seek.
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Question Submitted by Susan:

What is the official and unofficial role of the US Government in Darfur? Will you please be frank and honest? As an American, I would like to know how Uncle Sam has contributed to the problems, and/or been helpful in offering possible solutions to the refugees of Sudan.

Theo Murphy answers:

The US has been quite engaged with Darfur, though not to the same degree it was with the civil war in South Sudan which pitted Christians against northern Muslims. This struck a chord with quite a few key US constituencies and thus generated a great deal of political engagement. Darfur is not so easily classified.
More importantly though Osama Bin Laden took refuge for many years in Sudan and since 9/11 the US government has inreased its ties with the head of Sudanese Intelligence Salah Gosh; trying to get much needed information from him. It is widely held that Sudanese Intelligence played a central role in the execution of the campaign in Darfur and is very likely guilty of war crimes. The US government thus sends mixed messages to the Sudanese who know that their input on the War on Terror can be a bargaining chip to use with the US.
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Question Submitted by Shahid Ali Panhwer:

What steps are needed most urgent from international community for Darfur crisis to be stoped,grievences of victims redressed and human rights abuses healed?

Theo Murphy answers:

I've mentioned a few times now the need to get UN peacekeepers in but there is also a need to create a reconciliation proccess in Darfur so that the region can return to its traditional way of life. There is such a conference envisioned in the Darfur Peace Agreement, a conference that brings together elected traditional leaders of Darfur, to meet and hammer out the solutions to many of the regions problems, but it will need a great deal of support-financial and political-to get off the ground. Ideally it would be held somewhere where the Sudanese government could not intervene such as in Nairobi or Chad.
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Question Submitted by Mike:

I can't do this because it is against my company's policy, but I hope you can do something. Remember the Balkan Wars? We (Americans) were quick (comparatively) to help out there. I wonder if no one cares because it is Africa?

Theo Murphy answers:

There does seem to be a tendency to relegate what happens in Africa to the back burner. But the problem in Darfur is surely one of the most serious (in terms of immediate loss of life and displacement) in the world, if not the most serious. And it can be resolved. So I think there is no reason that we should let it slip off the radar screen.
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Question Submitted by Kristin:

The President of Sudan has refused to allow a U.N. peacekeeping force into his country. Are you suggesting a large scale invasion and occupation by a coalition of the willing?

Theo Murphy answers:

No we are not suggsting this. I also don't think given the wars the US is involved in around the world there is any chance that anyone is willing to make war on Sudan to enter Darfur and bring peace. Its about securing Sudan's consent for the UN peacekeeping force right now.
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Question Submitted by Larry:

This is a questions about some doubts I have been having - I am curious, what a U.N. deployment would be used to accomplish - presumably not a panacea for a liveable peace with justice, among any survivors of the Darfur region ; I even wonder, if such a deployment might easily become an occupation, and provoke even more attacks; rather than a short-term police action to uphold an unrealized cease fire agreement.

Theo Murphy answers:

Its true the peace agreement is 1)partial and because of this2)not holding. But the UN force could focus on the protection of civilians from Janjawid attacks and other attacks which target them. There is a great deal of government propaganda against the deployment but it is just that-propaganda. Those who have been displaced by this war and targetted by its attackers unanimously want a peacekeeping force. Those who don't are either co-opted or stand to benefit from the chaos. But even with peacekeepers in place this is the short term solution. In the longer term the peace agreement needs to be looked at again and a way found to include the non-signatories. Without this no lastin solution can be found.
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Question Submitted by Sarah:

I am the events coordinator for our school's Amnesty club. How can we get involved?

Theo Murphy answers:

Contact your local Amnesty office and they will be able to help.
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Question Submitted by Ashlee:

In your opinion, why do you think the American media, government and public have found it so easy to completely ignore this devastating genocide?

Theo Murphy answers:

I think the media attention has been quite good given this is an 'African' crisis. That said of course we want more coveragge! The conflict is not very easily explained as in black/white, and perhaps this means it lacks a good media 'hook' making it hard to sell as 'news'. We keep trying to keep in touch with what's happenign on the ground and getting the media to pay attention-but its not always easy, especially now with Lebanon dominating the news.
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Question Submitted by Nancy:

I recently heard on NPR news that residents of Eastern Chad are now fleeing to Sudan because they are being attacked by Janjaweed militia. How widespread is the violence perpetrated by the Janjaweed? Where are refugees now going to find relative safety?

Theo Murphy answers:

Eastern Chad is extremely worrying. About 5-7 months ago the first major Janjwid attacks from Sudan's Darfur, across the border into Chad, began. This was a new development. The groups targetted on the Chadian side were almost totally un armed and hundreds were killed when the heavily armed Janjwid attacked them on horse and camels. In some areas of Chad it was easier to flee directly across the border into Sudan then furthr inlnand inside Chad where they might get to safety. In other casese the Jnajwid presence formed a line which made retreat inland impossible again causing people to flee to Sudan. There is no Chadian government protection for these people-in some areas the government has pulled out entirely-and the attacks will continue. For this reason we pushed hard for the peacekeeping force to have the mandate and capacity to patrol and protect the Chad/Sudan border.
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Question Submitted by Deb:

Who is manufacturing and shipping the arms to the aggressors in this pogram against the people of Darfur?

Theo Murphy answers:

The links of China and Russia (as well as Belarus) in terms of oil trade and arms shipments are the most problematic part of the international equation. The oil wealth funds the purchase of arms which allows the government to continue fighting rather than seek other solutions to the problems. In Darfur itself though small arms have been circulating for decades. A great deal of them found their way there from Libay where some of the arab tribes of Darufr and eastern Chad particpated in an armed oppostion movement opposing then president of Chad Hissene Habre. These groups distributed arms to their kinsmen and so on. It is also quite likely that Eritrea is supplying the Darfur rebels with arms-though this is not certain.
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Question Submitted by Michael:

Why doesn't the United States get more involved with these dire sit- uations in Africa? The genocide is @ a greater magnitude than what happened in Iraq !

Theo Murphy answers:

This is true. But the question is what moves the United States to do more. In the case of Sudan it has to be its own people. US citizens need to let politicians know that this a key domestic political concern.
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Question Submitted by Stephen:

Who's supplying the guns for the Darfur violence? What nations or cartels or individuals are supplying the weapons? Shouldn't we have a major focus on removing the supply of ammunition and guns?

Theo Murphy answers:

In an earlier post I discussed who the potential suppliers might be. In terms of doing more to stop the flow of weapons the UN did put an arms embargo on Sudan in a past Resolution (I think 1591 off the top of my head) but it lef the enforcement open. A Panel of Experts was formed to look into who might be breaking the embargo and how. It has found that both sides have broken the embargo as well as quite a few countries. But the Security Council has not acted on the recommendations of the Panel and so their findings sit unused.
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Question Submitted by Ruth Gonzalez:

How has the Darfur genocide affected the UN internally and externally? Has Rwanda done damage to the UN?

Theo Murphy answers:

I think the memory of Rwanda has haunted the UN as an institution and many of its senior personell serving during the genocide. It has made many people want to do more but the reality is that the UN can only do as much as its member States allow it to. Kofi Annan can be very frank about what's going on and he can try to influence the State's on the Security Council to take action but if these States do not or they are blocked because certain States (such as China and Russia) have interests which tie them to the Sudan government, then not much is going to happen.
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Question Submitted by Maddy:

Darfur is clearly the 21st century's Rwanda, and yet the world has basically turned its back on the conflict. D'you think that this is because the West now views Africa as 'the hopeless continent,' or are the reasons more complex?

Theo Murphy answers:

I think the phrase 'slow motion genocide' does much to explain why it has not had quite the brutal effect in terms of the media, as Rwanda. The end result is the same but the hundreds of thousands of displaced Darfurians have moved over months and now over years not weeks as in Rwanda.
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Question Submitted by Cathy:

Aloha. Do you believe someone like former president Jimmy Carter's "waging peace" efforts could be of help? You write of our contacting our politicians to drum up support. Do you believe a country's predominant religious affiliation could actually hinder peace keeping efforts if the country's predominant faith was deemed as an "enemy" of Sudan's current ruling faith?

Theo Murphy answers:

No I don't think it has to be; but it can be manipulated that way. Its usefull to be tactful and aware of the sensitivities around the Christian/Muslim issue but this should be enough. The muslims of Darfur, I am sure, would happily welcome a Christian American diplomat. They are most concerned that anyone pay attention to their plight, and that high level intervention succeeds.
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Question Submitted by Natalia:

I'm 23 and live in Everett, Wa. I have fairly recently decided to become active in humanitarian causes, and am still a complete neophyte when it comes to politics, foreign policy, and activism. I just keep trying to learn a bit more everyday about these places and their people. The situation in Darfur is on my mind and in my heart at all times. I want to help so badly. I have sent emails out through the Amnesty International website, and have even gotten postive responses from my state representative, assuring me he will do what he can and will keep responding to my emails, which surprised and excited me! I even made a sign to put in my yard with the amnesty web address to get the word out. (I think I'm the first one to ever put something like that up in my neighborhood, so I'm sure it will get noticed). I'm frustrated by the lack of help these people are getting. Tell me, how can I help? I want to do more. Thanks for your time.

Theo Murphy answers:

Its great that you are so involved. In brief I think the your approach with the State representative is the right avenue to pursue. But most important is asking him or her what they are doing exactly and to keep the pressure up on them to achieve results. In previous postings I have described the current problem and the role the US can have in solving it. It is not an easy thing for the US to do, but more can be done. We need to hold our politicians accountable to achieving meaningful and not just symbolic accomplishments on Darfur.
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Question Submitted by Zarghuna:

In a crisis such as the one in Darfur,the most to suffer are the women & children.I hope Amnesty is looking out for their well being in the best possible way.This is the time when in desperation women & children are sold off to save them from hunger & suffering.I hope they are being protected.

Theo Murphy answers:

We have had quite a lot of focus on the problems of women. We wrote a few reports, the most notable of which is 'Rape: A Weapon of War' about the issue of sexual/gender based violence; which I think is the key problem facing the female displaced Darfuris.
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