Tuesday, December 05, 2006

thought for tuesday- darfur

i received this in my email from amnesty international, usa:

"The Sudanese government and the government-sponsored Janjawid militia have used rape, forced displacement, abductions and mass murder as weapons of war for more than three years. Darfuri rebel groups have also committed serious human rights violations against civilians. Women and children are often driven from their homes with few or no possessions and continue to be in danger in refugee and displaced persons camps and settlements.

On December 10th, thousands of activists from more than two dozen countries will stand up for the rights of women and girls in Darfur. We hope you’ll stand with us and write in white. Wear white, a global color of mourning, in solidarity with Darfuri survivors of sexual violence and write letters calling for an end to rape as a weapon of war in Darfur.

Now is a crucial time for action on Darfur: funding for African Union peacekeepers in Darfur (AMIS) runs out at the end of December. Until the United Nations arrives, AMIS is the only available force that stands between Darfuri civilians and deadly violence.

Many of you have sent messages and placed calls to your Senators, urging them to help ensure the safety of civilians in Darfur. We are sincerely grateful for that. We hope you’ll continue to stand with us and write in white on December 10th. You can help put an end to the ongoing violence against women and girls in Darfur.

Thanks again for everything you do."

Sincerely,

Naoma Nagahawatte
Stop Violence Against Women in Darfur Project
Amnesty International USA

for more information- amnesty international, usa

also, for continuing news on the situation in darfur, quaker dave of quaker agitator fame has a new blog- daily darfur. there are many resources there as well as news. take a peek. i know it is easy at this time of year to get cozy and complacent or hassled and frazzled- whichever the case may be- but we in a rich nation have a duty to help these people. there is no one else.

No comments: