Rally


Friday, March 30 3:00 p.m.
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave., NW
(Closest Metro: Woodley Park/Zoo)
Washington, D.C. 20008

Rally to Protect Civilians in Darfur

Amnesty International will hold a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy to request that China use its significant influence with the Sudanese Government so that Civilians are protected in Darfur, Western Sudan. This event is the culmination of our National Week of Student Action on Darfur.

Why Target China?
China is the leading foreign investor in Sudan, with an annual trade value of roughly $1 billion. In the past several years, China has developed a number of oil fields, built a 900 plus mile pipeline, as well as a refinery and a port. Sudan represents China's largest overseas investment, worth at least $3 billion, and Sudan is the third largest supplier of oil to China. China's trade in oil with Sudan has close connections with arms dealing. Many of the helicopter gunships used by Khartoum were purchased from China using expected revenues from oil extracted in South Sudan. Amnesty International has documented the effect of China's arms exports to Sudan, noting that Chinese equipment has been used by the Government of Sudan and Janjawid in operations in Darfur.

In addition to the enormous effects of China's arms deals with Sudan, China, as the key trading partner of Sudan, is in a unique position to affect the atrocities in Darfur. UN Security Council Resolution 1706, which called for the deployment of UN peacekeepers to replace the isolated and ineffective African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) was not supported by China which, along with fellow permanent member Russia and rotating member Qatar, abstained from the vote. The result was a mixed message to Khartoum about the international community's commitment to finding a viable security arrangement for the people of Darfur and eastern Chad.

It is incumbent upon China, as much or more than any other international actor, to do all it can to address the tragedy in Darfur and Chad. As a key supplier of arms and funds to the Khartoum government, China is especially responsible for the continued violence in Darfur at the hands of the Government of Sudan and the Janjawid. Furthermore, by virtue of its close relationship with the Government of Sudan, China is one of only a few actors that can exert pressure to end the targeting of civilians in Darfur, and fulfill commitments Khartoum has made to disarm the Janjawid and adhere to its responsibility to protect civilians in Sudan.

Wear United Nations blue to show your support and express the need for a UN Peacekeeping force in Darfur. Or participate in our creative action by carrying a briefcase (real or made of cardboard) with the Latin symbol for the Chinese currency the Yuan - yuan instructions » (In PDF)

Contact: aturiansky@aiusa.org or 202 544 0200 x269