|
Dear Friends:
This past Wednesday we were honored to hear a very powerful talk by Ruth Messinger, Executive Director of the American Jewish World Service, on the nightmare of the genocide occurring in Darfur. The talk was sponsored by InterAct Cleveland and the Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Community Federation. The statistics are staggering, and we'll relate some of the key ones below. But we wanted to let you know the emotional impact that the talk had on us.  We've all been hearing about Darfur for years now. The genocide began in 2003 and, as one of the participants at the meeting pointed out, it's too easy to get frustrated and feel as though our actions aren't making a difference. But as Ruth noted, our advocacy has had an effect. The issue is now on the radar screen of both politicians and the general public, and actions are being taken. And although sometimes the details are complicated, the bottom line remains that innocent men, women and children continue to be caught in the middle, fearing for their lives and their safety. Ruth talked to us about her trips to Darfur and Chad. And she talked to us about the increasing threat that residents in the camps face. On March 4, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. In response, the Sudanese government expelled 13 major international aid organizations, representing approximately 6,500 workers or 40% of the NGO aid workers in Darfur. Over 1 million people in the Internally Displaced Persons camps are now at additional risk, as the expelled groups provided food, water, healthcare and education for them. As Ruth put it, this expulsion alone could constitute another genocide as food and clean water dissipate. In addition, Ruth talked about the incidence of violence against women, of multiple and public rapes, and of the near 'institutionalization' of rape as a tactic of war, resulting in the exclusion of women from society, and breaking apart families who are already in desperate straits. A powerful report entitled "Nowhere to Turn" was just released by Physicians for Human Rights which discusses violence against women. We'd encourage you to read it at the Save Darfur website. The Sudanese government's campaign of murder, rape and displacement in Darfur hasn't ended and our help  is still needed. The statistics are staggering. Since 2003, over 450,000 people have been killed, almost 3 million people have been displaced, and untold numbers have been beaten and raped. Yet what's more staggering to us is that the violence is continuing and that we, here in the States, are beginning to become numb to it. Hearing from Ruth Messinger woke us all up. And we hope that this letter will help wake up and re-energize those of you who have become disillusioned or frustrated as well. The people of Darfur are still at great risk. The humanitarian crisis is continuing. Please take what action you can. Below are a few ideas for some action steps that you can take now: - Write to your Congressmen and Senators, to President Obama , to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and to U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice . Among the most pressing issues right now is humanitarian aid. Urge them to keep the issue front and center, and act on the President's promise of 'unstinting resolve' to end the genocide. Ask them to support Hares. 241, which condemns the expulsion of the international aid agencies and calls on the international community to continue its efforts to bring President al-Bashir to justice and to end the violence.
- Petition your government officials about the need to advocate for a U.N. Security council resolution expanding the arms embargo against Sudan. Right now it is estimated that China continues to supply Khartoum with 90% of Sudan's small arms, arguing that since its arms sales are to the Government of Sudan, it cannot be held responsible should weapons be found in Darfur.
- Urge the Chinese embassy in Washington to ask its government to help end the genocide by using its powerful influence to convince Sudan to cooperate with international efforts to end the violence.
- Hold the space, pray, and send the light towards those living for years in Displaced Persons Camps in Chad.
- Write to newspapers expressing the need for them to keep the issue of Darfur in the news. This is an important action step to keep this issue front and center in the eyes of the American public.
- Join the Sudan divestment movement and make sure that your investment funds are not going to support genocide.
- Stay educated. Spread the message. Tell your friends and family about the crisis in Darfur and ask them to take action.
- More Action Info here
We thank you for your time in reading this letter. Please feel free to pass it on, please take action, and of course feel free to call us to talk about ways that we may be able to become more involved in trying to stop this evil in our days. Sincerely,
Sister Donna Wilhelm, Executive Director, InterAct Cleveland
Bruce Mandel, Chair, Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland |
News 
