Darfur Lobby Week
Consider joining us this Wednesday from 2:00pm - 3:00pm Eastern for an online chat with experts on Darfur and elected officials to discuss: the current situation in Darfur, how your elected officials can make a difference, and the mechanics of meeting with your elected officials!
Featured Guest: Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government RelationsFrom our featured guest: "Thanks for joining us on the Chat. Thank you for your human rights work!
-- Chris and Lynn"
Question Submitted by Toni:
Hello, Why has the US not supplied helicopters to the hybrid UN-African Union Peacekeeping force in Darfur? What are the obstacles to this taking place?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
The USG has been making substantial contributions to the provisioning and deployment of African contingents in UNAMID, as well as overall contributions to UNAMID itself. While the idea of direct U.S. contributions of helicopters is still an option, it is logistically simpler to obtain helicopters, pilots and staff altogether from a small number of contributors who can provide equipment that deploying personnel are most used to operating. It is most useful at this point to continue to encourage USG officials to press other potential donors of both land and air transport equipment, and to request that the USG provide funding where necessary to make that happen.
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Question Submitted by Genenda:
I have just read that Chad's government is insisting that the international community remove the Darfuri refugees. If this does not happen, they will forcefully push the refugees back to Darfur. Is this a point that can be used in our delegation? I think it effectively shows the need to put pressure on Khartoum and the need for additional funding. What will these people do if they are forced out of Chad?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
The likelihood that the government of Chad will force Darfuri refugees out of the eastern region is minimal, and the Prime Minister's threat shoud best be considered an indication of very high levels of frustration over lack of resources for EU and UN peacekeepers, as well as humanitarian assistance in Chad, and delays in deployment of UNAMID and assistance on the other side of the border in Darfur. Two points on this issue can be raised in delegation meetings with congressional offices in February. First, Chad has an obligation under international law to provide assistance to all displaced person's in its territory, and it has agreed to do so to date, according to its capacity, which is limited. Second, you raise a good point about the need for assistance-- both peacekeeping and emergency humanitarian aid-- on both sides of the border.
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Question Submitted by Howard:
The resource package again and again uses the phrases "Khartoum's closest allies" and "European and other donor countries". Do we have lists of specific countries? We are likely to be asked for such during meetings.
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
It's best not to get into details on this (so as not to limit our options), but the obvious allies of Khartoum are economic (like China) and political (like Egypt), the most obvious financial contributors are wealthy western states (like the U.S., the UK and other EU countries), and the most obvious troop contributors are from Asia, as long as Khartoum agrees to them, as it may now being doing one by one.
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Question Submitted by Lynn:
Could you please summarize the UNAMID mandate in Darfur? Thanks!
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
Through United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1769, UNAMID is authorized to restore security to allow delivery of humanitarian assistance, monitor ceasefire agreements, implement the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), strengthen the peace process, provide security for reconstruction, development and the return of displaced persons, promote human rights, promote rule of law, strengthen the judicial system, and monitor security on Sudan's borders with Chad and the Central African Republic.
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Question Submitted by Lynn:
Can you suggest how we should respond if we are asked about the the UN Darfur contract "irregularities"/questionable expenses reported recently in the press?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
It's unlikely this will come up, but if it does please note that Amnesty International has no position at this time, but will continue to follow developments.
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Question Submitted by Chris:
What's happened recently in terms of helicopter and troop commitments? How much of the UNAMID force is now deployed?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
Just last week agreements were made to allow Ethiopian and Bengladeshi contributions of helicopters, as well as Thai and Nepalese contributions of troops. There are currently some 9,000 UNAMID personnel on the ground in Darfur out of an authorized 26,000.
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Question Submitted by Alejandra Taboada:
For lobbying, is it a bad thing that I only have 5 people that are committed to be part of my delegation?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
No. Absolutely not! It is fine to go in and do the meeting by yourself, although it is preferable if you bring some fellow constituents with you. Five is a great number. In terms of upper limits on the size of your delegation, you can ask this question of the office you are meeting with. (Some may have a small meeting room so they may ask for only a few representatives to come.)
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Question Submitted by Kimberly:
What if no one has responded to the fax letter that I sent? My plan is to meet with both my senators and congressman and/or their staff in D.C., how long apart should I try schedule the meetings? I wrote to Senator Feinstein first wanting to schedule that appointment first but like I said I haven't heard from her office staff.
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
It's always good to follow up a fax with a phone call to make sure the fax has been received and to talk with a scheduler or other staff person by phone.
If you're scheduling meetings on the same side of the capitol (that would be your two Senate meetings) you need about 15-20 minutes between meetings, but you should also take into account that meetings can occasionally run longer than you expect. It's wise therefore to ask the staff person with whom you schedule each meeting how long the meeting is expected to run. (Expect that they'll plan the meeting to be somwhere between 15-30 minutes and an hour.)
If you have to walk or take a taxi from the House to the Senate side of the capitol, or vice versa, it's best to leave half an hour between meetings.
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Question Submitted by Gary:
What specific obstacles is the Government of Sudan putting in the way of UNAMID deployment that we could reference in our presentation
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
There are several ways in which the Government of Sudan (GOS) has been impeding deployment:
(1) The GOS has failed to formally approve the list of UNAMID troop contributions, which includes Asian contributors to which Sudan has objected, for many months. On October 2, 2007, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon sent President al-Bashir a list of troop-contributing countries. (2) The GOS has taken many months to allocate land for bases in Darfur. (3) The GOS has objected to freedom of movement (particularly at night) for UNAMID forces, and freedom of communications without GOS approval. The GOS has refused to grant permission for UNAMID forces to fly at night and has imposed curfews on peacekeepers in certain areas. (4) The GOS has demanded payment of customs duties for UNAMID equipment at Port Sudan and delayed visas.
Having said that, it is important to acknowledge that a status of forces agreement was just signed by the GOS and the UN last week, and may, if monitored vigilantly, address many of the above-mentioned problems. In addition, goods that were delayed at the Port of Sudan were eventually allowed through without payment.
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Question Submitted by Steve:
What other quasi-governmental or other organization (e.g. NATO) are under consideration to take a more direct action in this ongoing situation?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
The African Union is still heavily involved in the UNAMID force in Darfur. Other organizations that can be more/better engaged include the League of Arab States. The European Union is spearheading the EUFOR deployment of peacekeepers on the other side of the border in eastern Chad and northeastern Central African Republic, in cooperation with the UN mission (MINURCAT). Also, please be aware that Amnesty International is not calling for NATO involvement in Darfur.
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Question Submitted by Anna:
How are the current efforts to assist Darfur being affected by the recent events in Chad, if at all?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
Efforts to assist in Darfur are not substantially affected by the recent rebel assault on N'Djamena, however, delivery of assistance to Darfuri refugees in eastern Chad was disrupted, and rebel violence always contributes to the general instability on both sides of the Darfur/Chad border. In addition, deployment of EUFOR/MINURCAT in eastern Chad and northeastern CAR was delayed because of violence, and tens of thousands of Chadian civilians were displaced into Cameroon.
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Question Submitted by Lynn:
Hi! Could you provide a brief synopsis of the current situation in Darfur and on the border? I anticipate that we may be asked to update the staffers.
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
Conditions in Darfur remain grave. There are currently some 2.5 million displaced Darfuris, including 240,000 refugees in eastern Chad, and one million children. Although estimates of the dead toll due to conflict related violence vary, hundreds of thousands have been killed. Most recently, last weekend in fact, the Sudanese military launched air attacks on three villages in West Darfur, killing more than 25 civilians and displacing another 12,000. Janjawid militia and armed rebel groups continue to fight one another, and to attack civilians throughout Darfur and eastern Chad. Women are regularly subjected to gender-based violence. And recruitment takes place in IDP and refugee camps by multiple parties to the conflict. At the same time, it is important to note that since the deployment of UNAMID (at 9,000 out of 26,000 to date), patrols both around camps and along roadways has increased significantly.
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Question Submitted by Nanette:
What other background on UNAMID would be helpful for us to know as delegation leaders?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
Our answer above on the UNAMID mandate should be helpful.
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Question Submitted by Gene:
What can the United States do that it has not done?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
The USG (particularly Secretary Rice and new Special Envoy to Sudan Rich Williamson) can use all diplomatic means to influence Khartoum's economic and political partners to press President al-Bashir to remove all remaining obstacles to the full and speedy deployment of Darfur. The USG can also use all diplomatic means to influence donor countries to contribute urgently needed helicopters and other air and ground transport equipment for UNAMID while providing funding itself. The USG must also continue funding for UNAMID, humanitarian operations in Darfur and Chad, and MINURCAT in Chad and CAR this year.
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Question Submitted by Jackie:
When and what supplies, if any, should we send to our Senator's/Representative's office before the meeting to give them background information?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
Go ahead and send a copy of Amnesty International's issue brief on Sudan and the sheet "Additional Ways Elected officials can help the Darfur Region" in advance. Also, bring copies of these two sheets and the draft letter to your actual meeting.
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Question Submitted by Howard:
"It's best not to get into details on this (so as not to limit our options), but the obvious allies of Khartoum are economic (like China) and political (like Egypt), the most obvious financial contributors are wealthy western states (like the U.S., the UK and other EU countries), and the most obvious troop contributors are from Asia, as long as Khartoum agrees to them, as it may now being doing one by one." OK. Then should we suggest that members of Congress not designate specific countries, and instead leave that to the State Department? Also: Can the European Union be addressed as a single entity for these purposes?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
Yes, it is important to acknowledge that the State Department is already working on this and has its own list of countries in mind, but it's okay to mention China or Egypt or the UK, as appropriate, by way of example. When referring to the EU in this context, it's best to say something like "donor countries within the European Union."
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Question Submitted by Howard:
Do we have a glossary for all these acronyms and contractions (MINURCAT, etc.)?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
No glossary but they're easy to google. MINURCAT stands for the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad. EUFOR in full should be EUFOR TCHAD/RCA and stands for the European Union Force in Chad and the CAR.
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Question Submitted by Carolyn:
Besides China, which countries should we suggest our congressional representatives contact to put pressure on the government of Sudan? (I have not been able to download the pckt. or the second attachment. This may be answered there). Thanks!
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
Please refer to the answer above.
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Question Submitted by Nanette:
Are child soldiers being used in the Darfur conflict? If so, do we know the age range?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
Child soldiers (or more appropriately children associated with combat) are believed to be used by parties to the conflict in the Darfur conflict as soldiers, porters and servants, as they are in Chad. Children up to age 18 are considered "child soldiers." We also know girls as young as 6 have been subject to gender-based violence in the region.
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Question Submitted by Lynn:
Do "all diplomatic means to influence Khartoum's economic and political partners" include playing the Olympics card with respect to the need for China to apply pressure on Sudan?
Chris McGraw and Lynn Fredriksson, Government Relations answers:
No, Amnesty International is currently promoting activism around the Beijing Olympics in relation to China's domestic human rights conditions. We are not currently advocating any action on Darfur in relation to the Olympics. However, we have consistently be advocating for U.S. and other diplomatic pressure on China to use its overall influence with Khartoum to stop GOS attacks on civilians, to ensure the disarmament of Janjawid militia, and to allow full deployment of UNAMID without further obstruction. We have also done this directly through meetings with Chinese officials, who have been surprisingly receptive. And we have seen China take significant steps including some public statements toward these goals. As we continue to call on Congress and the U.S. administration to keep up the pressure on China on Darfur, we are doing that within in the context of preparations for the Beijing Olympics. But we are not requesting specific actions on Darfur because or in relation to them at this time.
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Moderator's comment:
Thanks Chris and Lynn for a great discussion. The chat has now concluded.
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