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PRIOR TO EMERGENCY MEETING ON SUDAN, RIGHTS GROUPS MAKE URGENT PLEA

Groups ask UN Security Council to take escalated action against Sudan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Susan Morgan, 617 797 0451, susan@paxcommunications.org

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – April 24, 2012 – Today, in advance of an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Sudan, Act for Sudan, a bipartisan, interfaith alliance of American and Sudanese grassroots advocacy organizations, is delivering to Members of the UN Security Council a public letter signed by human rights leaders in the U.S. and abroad.

The letter “expresses alarm at the inadequate international attention and action” regarding the multiple crises in Sudan and states that the government of Sudan has “effectively blackmailed the international community into accepting these ongoing crises by threatening to do even more deliberate harm to its marginalized, defenseless and displaced citizens.”

The 65 signatories to the letter include Sudanese diaspora groups and Baroness Caroline Cox signing on behalf of Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust.

“For too long, the government of Sudan has heard the international community express grave concerns without imposing consequences or enforcing UN Security Council resolutions. Worse, the international community’s concern too often devolves into a dangerous moral equivalency, blaming everyone and no one, and confusing perpetrators and victims,” the letter states.

“We urge you to end the moral equivalency, the impunity, and the crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide perpetrated by the government of Sudan, and to start imposing consequences for its actions. Condemnation is necessary but not sufficient. We strongly believe that only concrete, escalated action will change the calculations of Sudan’s government officials and break the pattern of grave crimes, human rights abuses and humanitarian crises,” continues the letter.

The groups further outline specific steps they want the UNSC to take in the letter. Full text below.

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Act for Sudan is an alliance of American citizen activists and Sudanese U.S. residents who advocate for an end to genocide and mass atrocities in Sudan. Act for Sudan is dedicated to advocacy that is directly informed by the situation on the ground and by Sudanese people who urgently seek protection, justice, and peace. For more information please visit www.actforsudan.org.

DOWNLOAD PDF OF PRESS RELEASE AND LETTER

FULL TEXT OF LETTER:

Honorable Members of the UN Security Council:

We write to express our alarm at the inadequate international attention and action regarding recent events along the border of Sudan and South Sudan, in Darfur, in Abyei, in Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan, and in Blue Nile. We ask you to dedicate yourselves to a higher and sustained level of attention and escalated action to address the continuing crises emanating from the government of Sudan.

The government of Sudan continues to use the same deadly methods it has employed for decades against its own people:  attacking civilians on a broad scale with its army, militia, and air force; limiting and blocking humanitarian assistance to millions displaced by attacks; and focusing international attention on negotiations that are not honored and on the struggles of providing humanitarian assistance, instigating new crises, and perpetrating more war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Sudan is the only nation whose head of state is indicted by the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Only in Sudan are there senior government officials indicted by the ICC and then promoted to commit more mass atrocities in other regions of the country. Only in Sudan does the government regularly bomb its own citizens, without even the possibility of such attacks being against military targets. Only in Sudan has the government repeatedly blocked humanitarian aid and used food as a weapon of war against civilians for decades.

In the last decade, stern words and declarations from the UN and powerful member states have done little to stop the government of Sudan from continuing existing and creating additional humanitarian crises. The government of Sudan has effectively blackmailed the international community into accepting these ongoing crises by threatening to do even more deliberate harm to its marginalized, defenseless and displaced citizens. For too long, the government of Sudan has heard the international community express grave concerns without imposing consequences or enforcing UN Security Council resolutions. Worse, the international community’s concern too often devolves into a dangerous moral equivalency, blaming everyone and no one, and confusing perpetrators and victims.

The renewed threat of war between Sudan and South Sudan should not obscure the underlying problems of Sudan’s disregard of its commitments under the CPA, military occupation of Abyei, and attacks against civilians in South Sudan (including within refugee camps).

We urge you to end the moral equivalency, the impunity, and the crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide perpetrated by the government of Sudan, and to start imposing consequences for its actions. Condemnation is necessary but not sufficient. We strongly believe that only concrete, escalated action will change the calculations of Sudan’s government officials and break the pattern of grave crimes, human rights abuses and humanitarian crises.

In addition to applying increased diplomatic and economic pressures on Sudan, we respectfully call on you to take the following steps, collectively as the Security Council of the United Nations, and individually as member states, as appropriate:

Nuba Mountains Crisis and Threat of Famine

• Warn the Government of Sudan to stop the brutal ethnic cleansing ongoing in Sudan, to cease offensive military operations against civilians, to halt the deployment and attacks by the army and militia in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan, and to allow unfettered humanitarian access to those in need. If the warning is not heeded, authorize and employ selective and limited force, such as the use of drones or cruise missiles, to destroy a significant Sudanese military asset deployed against civilians, such as a MiG or Sukhoi jet, Antonov bomber, attack helicopter, or multiple rocket launcher.
• Immediately initiate a cross border emergency aid program to the Nuba Mountains and prepare plans for additional such programs as may be needed for Darfur, Blue Nile, Abyei or other regions.

South Sudan

• Clearly support South Sudan against the aggression from the government of Sudan. Resolve the problem of Sudan’s air attacks against South Sudan, one way or another, so that it is no longer a factor in the escalation of violence.
• Support South Sudan’s call for an international force separating north and South Sudan in a demilitarized zone along the border and including disputed territory.
• Make a public commitment to help ensure that the Republic of South Sudan is successful in building its economy and state institutions. Support South Sudan in developing its infrastructure or other alternative means to deliver its oil to market.
• Engage in coordinated, sustained and consistent negotiations with Sudan and South Sudan to resolve the long outstanding CPA issues necessary for peace between the two countries: border demarcation, citizenship, and oil production, transport and revenues.

Protection

• Impose a no-fly or limited-fly zone over the Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan, Blue Nile, Darfur, Abyei and along the remainder of the border between Sudan and South Sudan for protection of civilians and humanitarian aid workers. Such no-fly or limited-fly zone need not be perfect in order to be effective and has long been requested of the international community by the affected civilians.

End Impunity and Support Justice

• Refer the Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan and Blue Nile attacks and atrocities to the ICC for investigation.
• Lead effective international coordination to apprehend individuals subject to outstanding and future ICC arrest warrants, actively support the work of the ICC, and correct or sanction member states who fail to adhere to their obligations under the Treaty of Rome.
• Impose draconian financial sanctions against officials responsible for attacks against civilians, including the businesses associated with those individuals.

Secure Peace, Leading to Democratic Transition

• Refocus the disparate ongoing “peace” negotiations from multiple regional processes favoring the government of Sudan’s “divide and rule” tactics to one, comprehensive process including all marginalized Sudanese populations and their concerns.
• Support the inclusion of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (the Kauda Alliance) in discussions, planning, and negotiations for the reform of the government of Sudan.
• Provide tangible political, logistical and financial support for marginalized and reform-minded Sudanese organizations urging democratic reform, the rule of law and civil rights.
• Coordinate the necessary regional and multinational support for internationally observed elections.

The Eradication of Slavery

• Refocus attention on the tens of thousands of people still enslaved in Sudan by committing to the eradication of government-sponsored slavery and making a focused effort to ensure all remaining slaves be set free.

The international community has for too long failed the people of Sudan and South Sudan with empty rhetoric and partial “solutions” doomed to fail. Millions of lives, the viability of the world’s newest nation, and the security of the region hang in the balance. Please put aside political differences and focus on effective action to protect the civilians and bring justice, sustained peace, and freedom to Sudan and South Sudan.

Sincerely,

Act for Sudan
Martina Knee, Co-Founder
San Francisco, CA, USA

Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan
Joan Hecht, Founder and President
Jacksonville, FL, USA

Beja Organization for Human Rights and Development
Ibrahim Tahir Ahmed, Co-Founder and Executive Director
Washington, DC, USA

Brooklyn Coalition for Darfur & Marginalized Sudan
Laura Limuli, Coordinator
Brooklyn, NY, USA

CASTS-Canadians Against Slavery and Torture in Sudan
Norman L. Epstein, Co-chair
Toronto, Canada

“Change the world. It takes cents.” TM
Sara Kornfeld, Founder/Mentor/Educator
Denver, CO, USA

Christian Solidarity International – USA
The Reverend Heidi McGinness, Director of Outreach
Denver, CO, USA

Collectif Urgence Darfour
Dr Jacky Mamou, President
Paris, France

Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action
Roz Duman, Founder/Director
Denver, CO, USA

Community Empowerment for Progress Organization
Edmund Yakani, CEPO Program Coordinator
Juba, South Sudan

Community of South Sudanese and American Women/Men (CSSAW)
Micklina Kenyi, CSSAW Executive Director
Boulder, CO, USA

Darfur Action Group–Northwest Bronx/Yonkers
Gene Binder, Member–Steering Committee
New York, NY, USA

Darfur and Beyond
Cory Williams, Co-Founder
Phoenix, AZ, USA

Darfur Community Organization
Bakheit A. Shata, Founder/Executive Director
Omaha, NE, USA

Darfur Human Rights Organization of the USA
Abdelgabar Adam, Founder and President
Philadelphia, PA, USA

Darfur Interfaith Network
Martha Boshnick, Co-Chair
Washington, DC, USA

Darfur People’s Association of NY (DPANY)
Ahmat Nour, President
Brooklyn, NY, USA

Darfur Reconciliation & Development Organization
Adeeb Yousif, General Manger
Kampala, Uganda

Darfur Rehabilitation Project
Elnour Adam, President
Newark, NJ, USA

Darfur Union, UK & Ireland
Hussain Begira, Chairperson
London, United Kingdom

Darfur Women Action Group
Niemat Ahmadi, President
Washington, DC, USA

Dear Sudan, Love Marin
Gerri Miller, Founder and Coordinator
Tiburon, CA, USA

Elizabeth Blackney
Author and Anti-Genocide Advocate
Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Eric Reeves
Sudan Researcher
Northampton, MA, USA

Genocide No More
Marv Steinberg, Coordinator
Redding, CA, USA

Genocide Watch
Dr. Gregory H. Stanton, President, Coordinator, The International Alliance to End Genocide, Professor of Genocide Studies and Prevention, George Mason University
Arlington, VA, USA

Georgia Coalition to Prevent Genocide
Melanie Nelkin, Chair and Carl Wilkens Fellow
Atlanta, GA, USA

Help Nuba
Rabbi David Kaufman, Founder
Des Moines, IA, USA

Human Rights & Advocacy Network for Democracy (HAND)
Abdalmageed S. Haroun, Chairperson
Brooklyn, NY, USA

Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust
The Baroness Caroline Cox, Independent Peer, House of Lords, UK Parliament and CEO
United Kingdom

Idaho Darfur Coalition
A.J. Fay, Co-Founder
Boise, ID, USA

Investors Against Genocide
Eric Cohen, Co-founder and Chairperson
Boston, MA, USA

Iowa Center for Genocide Prevention
Kristen Anderson, Founder and Carl Wilkens Fellow
Des Moines, IA, USA

Iowa United Nations Association
Yashar Vasef, Executive Director
Iowa City, IA, USA

Jewish World Watch
Fred Kramer, Executive Director
Los Angeles, CA, USA

Jews Against Genocide
Eileen Weiss, Co-founder
New York, NY, USA

Joining Our Voices
Jack Slater Armstrong, Founder/Director
Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Keokuk for Global Awareness and Aid
Blake McGhghy, Founder
Keokuk, IA, USA

Long Island Darfur Action Group
Nancy Walsh, Coordinator
Farmingdale, NY, USA

Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur
William Rosenfeld, Director
Boston, MA, USA

My Sister’s Keeper
Sarah Cleto Rial, Program Director
Boston, MA, USA

Never Again Coalition
Diane Koosed, Co-chair
Portland, OR, USA

New York Coalition for Darfur and All Sudan
Neiki Ullah, Communications Director
New York, NY, USA

New York Darfur Vigil Group
Helga Moor, Coordinator
New York, NY. USA

Nigrizia Magazine
Fr. Franco Moretti, Editor
Verona, Italy

Nuba Mountains Advocacy Group-USA
Gogadi Amoga, Chair
Batavia, OH, USA

Nuba Mountains American Advocacy Group
Mario Angelo, Secretary General
Fresno, CA, USA

Operation Broken Silence
Mark C. Hackett, CEO
Memphis, TN, USA

San Antonio Coalition Against Genocide
Susan Smylie, Coordinator of Advocacy
San Antonio, TX, USA

San Francisco Bay Area Darfur Coalition
Mohamed Suleiman, President
San Francisco, CA, USA

Society for Threatened People
Sharon Silber, US representative
New York, NY, USA

South Sudan Volunteer Initiative (SSVI)
Elizabeth Kuch, SSVI-USA Head Envoy
Harrisburg, PA, USA

South Sudan Volunteers Initiative (SSVI)
Hakeim Mayol Jouk
Dusseldorf, Germany

South Sudanese Disapora Forum Norway
Dr. Stanley Josephson Mogga, Moderator
Norway

Stop Genocide Now
Gabriel Stauring, Founder and Director
Redondo Beach, CA, USA

Sudan Advocacy Action Forum, Trinity Sudan Ministry
Bill Andress, Moderator
Lexington, SC, USA

Sudan Human Rights Network
Ismail Kardoly, Vice President
Washington, DC, USA

Sudan Unlimited
Esther Sprague, Director
San Francisco, CA, USA

Sudanese Fellowship
Samuel Dilla, Pastor
Portland, OR, USA

The Institute on Religion & Democracy’s Church Alliance for a New Sudan
Faith J. H. McDonnell, Director
Washington, DC, USA

THE INSTITUTE on Religion and Public Policy
Joseph K. Grieboski, Founder and Chairman of the Board
Alexandria, VA, USA

Unite For Darfur
Bahar Arabie, CEO
Rockville, MD, USA

Use Your Voice to Stop Genocide RI
Sandra Hammel, Director
Portsmouth, RI, USA

Village Help for South Sudan
Franco Wol Majok, Executive Director
Lynn, MA, USA

Voices for Sudan
Jimmy Mulla, Founder and President
Washington, DC, USA

Waging Peace
Olivia Warham, Director
London, United Kingdom

World Without Genocide at William Mitchell College of Law
Ellen J. Kennedy, Ph.D., Executive Director
St. Paul, MN, USA