Campaigners gear up for Global Day for Darfur

-14/09/06

Campaigners, including many Chr


Campaigners gear up for Global Day for Darfur

-14/09/06

Campaigners, including many Christians, are gearing up for the Global Day for Darfur which takes place this Sunday, 17 September.

The Day will see activists in New York, Abuja, London, Nairobi, Paris, Berlin, Kigali and a string of other major cities demonstrating in support of the proposed UN peacekeeping force for Darfur and calling on Sudan to accept the resolution.

Last week dozens of activists went to jail in Washington, D.C., to call attention to the plight of the people of Darfur. This protest marked the two-year anniversary of the Bush administration’s declaration that genocide was under way in the region.

The protestors, organized by D.C.-based Africa Action, were arrested for obstructing the sidewalk outside the White House while holding signs. This planned act followed a rally in Lafayette Square, where speakers and scores of activists gathered to call attention to the ongoing atrocities in Darfur and demand intervention by U.N. peacekeepers.

The African Union is set to end its Darfur mission by 30 September unless transfer to a UN peacekeeping mission can be achieved. Human rights NGOs are calling for diplomacy to secure Sudanís agreement for this transfer ñ but also for the UN Security Council to plan for intervention without Sudanís consent in the event that the AU pulls out and civilians die as a result of ensuing insecurity.

Three million Africans are dependent on humanitarian aid in Darfur. Without an international force to offer safety for the humanitarian operation, which is already severely restricted by the lack of security, it could quickly be rendered totally ineffective or be forced to withdraw.

In London, the Global Day for Darfur will be focused on a demonstration at the Sudanese Embassy at St Jamesís, followed by a march to Downing Street.

Demonstrators are being urged to wear blue hats similar to those of UN peacekeeping forces symbolising the urgent need to protect the people of Darfur.

Full details can be found here


Campaigners gear up for Global Day for Darfur

-14/09/06

Campaigners, including many Christians, are gearing up for the Global Day for Darfur which takes place this Sunday, 17 September.

The Day will see activists in New York, Abuja, London, Nairobi, Paris, Berlin, Kigali and a string of other major cities demonstrating in support of the proposed UN peacekeeping force for Darfur and calling on Sudan to accept the resolution.

Last week dozens of activists went to jail in Washington, D.C., to call attention to the plight of the people of Darfur. This protest marked the two-year anniversary of the Bush administration’s declaration that genocide was under way in the region.

The protestors, organized by D.C.-based Africa Action, were arrested for obstructing the sidewalk outside the White House while holding signs. This planned act followed a rally in Lafayette Square, where speakers and scores of activists gathered to call attention to the ongoing atrocities in Darfur and demand intervention by U.N. peacekeepers.

The African Union is set to end its Darfur mission by 30 September unless transfer to a UN peacekeeping mission can be achieved. Human rights NGOs are calling for diplomacy to secure Sudanís agreement for this transfer ñ but also for the UN Security Council to plan for intervention without Sudanís consent in the event that the AU pulls out and civilians die as a result of ensuing insecurity.

Three million Africans are dependent on humanitarian aid in Darfur. Without an international force to offer safety for the humanitarian operation, which is already severely restricted by the lack of security, it could quickly be rendered totally ineffective or be forced to withdraw.

In London, the Global Day for Darfur will be focused on a demonstration at the Sudanese Embassy at St Jamesís, followed by a march to Downing Street.

Demonstrators are being urged to wear blue hats similar to those of UN peacekeeping forces symbolising the urgent need to protect the people of Darfur.

Full details can be found here