The Sudanese government has left starvation as the only option in Darfur.
In a move that can only be described as retaliatory, the Sudanese government expelled or suspended the operations of 16 humanitarian aid organizations in Darfur and across Sudan just over one week ago. This action came soon after a decision by the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Darfur is the largest humanitarian aid operation in the world. Removing these essential groups from working in Darfur is like tearing life support from a critical patient.
If Sudan doesn't hear the truth from someone it trusts, then it will continue to travel down this very dangerous path.
We need to tap into Sudan's inner circle – fast.
There are a few key groups and individuals -- such as, the African Union, the League of Arab States, and Sudan's own Ambassador to the U.S. -- who have the influence to get the government of Sudan to reverse its course. Urge those who have Sudan's ear to act now by filling their inboxes with your emails calling for the return of aid groups working in Darfur and across Sudan.
Aid groups must be allowed to resume operations in Darfur
What's really happening here, according to Tawanda Hondora, Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Africa Program, is that "the Sudanese government is holding the entire civilian population of Darfur hostage."
It's unthinkable that a government would harm its own people in this way.
Without these important groups working on the ground to provide medicine, food, and water, civilians who were forced to flee their homes once to avoid being killed, raped or tortured, may now be forced to become displaced again. If life-saving supplies can't get through to the people, then the people will have basically run out of options.
The neighboring country, Chad, is already bursting at the seams trying to support more than 250,000 refugees who fled Darfur to escape the violence. Ongoing insecurity and instability in Chad, as well as limited resources, will make accommodating a new exodus of refugees from Darfur next to impossible.
We've seen cruelty manifest itself in many different ways throughout the course of the conflict in Darfur. But this most recent act of retaliation by the Sudanese government is particularly callous.
The African Union, Arab League, and the Sudanese Ambassador to the U.S. need to hear from you today. Demand that members of Sudan's trusted circle use their influence to help reverse the government of Sudan's decision.
It's up to us to preserve the last life-saving option displaced Darfuris have left.
Sincerely,
Denise Bell
Darfur Campaign
Amnesty International USA
In a move that can only be described as retaliatory, the Sudanese government expelled or suspended the operations of 16 humanitarian aid organizations in Darfur and across Sudan just over one week ago. This action came soon after a decision by the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Darfur is the largest humanitarian aid operation in the world. Removing these essential groups from working in Darfur is like tearing life support from a critical patient.
If Sudan doesn't hear the truth from someone it trusts, then it will continue to travel down this very dangerous path.
We need to tap into Sudan's inner circle – fast.
There are a few key groups and individuals -- such as, the African Union, the League of Arab States, and Sudan's own Ambassador to the U.S. -- who have the influence to get the government of Sudan to reverse its course. Urge those who have Sudan's ear to act now by filling their inboxes with your emails calling for the return of aid groups working in Darfur and across Sudan.
Aid groups must be allowed to resume operations in Darfur
What's really happening here, according to Tawanda Hondora, Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Africa Program, is that "the Sudanese government is holding the entire civilian population of Darfur hostage."
It's unthinkable that a government would harm its own people in this way.
Without these important groups working on the ground to provide medicine, food, and water, civilians who were forced to flee their homes once to avoid being killed, raped or tortured, may now be forced to become displaced again. If life-saving supplies can't get through to the people, then the people will have basically run out of options.
The neighboring country, Chad, is already bursting at the seams trying to support more than 250,000 refugees who fled Darfur to escape the violence. Ongoing insecurity and instability in Chad, as well as limited resources, will make accommodating a new exodus of refugees from Darfur next to impossible.
We've seen cruelty manifest itself in many different ways throughout the course of the conflict in Darfur. But this most recent act of retaliation by the Sudanese government is particularly callous.
The African Union, Arab League, and the Sudanese Ambassador to the U.S. need to hear from you today. Demand that members of Sudan's trusted circle use their influence to help reverse the government of Sudan's decision.
It's up to us to preserve the last life-saving option displaced Darfuris have left.
Sincerely,
Denise Bell
Darfur Campaign
Amnesty International USA
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