EDUCATE – learn more about the issues surrounding genocide
PARTICIPATE – there are loads of ways to get involved
DONATE – give some money to help those that are suffering

Today's focus is on Darfur.

DARFUR

Darfur, a province in the west of Sudan, was between 2003 and 2009, the site of a atrocities that led to the death of over 300,000 civilians and the displacement of over 2.5 million more. These crimes were committed by both Sudanese government forces and Arab militias known as janjaweed who were sponsored by the Sudanese government. These activities were termed genocide by the International Criminal Court, and warrants were issued for the arrest of both regional governors and the president of Sudan, Oman al-Bashir.

These crimes took place in the context of a conflict between indigenous groups in Darfur and the central government forces, but were used as an opportunity for mass brutality by the Sudanese government. This ended up creating what Mukesh Kapila, the representative of the UN Development Program in Sudan, called  “Ethnic cleansing… the world’s greatest humanitarian crisis”.

While the scale of bloodshed has in recent years greatly diminished, there is yet to be justice for the victims. The leaders of both government forces, and Darfuri rebel forces implicated in crimes against humanity, have effectively enjoyed immunity from prosecution until now, due to an unwillingness or an inability to prosecute those named by the ICC. Indeed, the Sudanese government has been supported in its alleged efforts by China, who have ignored a UN arms embargo on Darfur by supplying hardware including transport and fighter jets used in Darfur.

As such, a challenge still remains to bring to justice those who committed the atrocities in Darfur that killed over 300,000 civilians, while supporting the efforts of those affected to rebuild their lives.

ACTION POINTS

EDUCATE

See testimony of janjaweed militia members on their actions in Darfur.

PARTICIPATE

Host a fundraising event to provide educational materials to Darfuri refugees through Aegis Students’ program, Fund4Darfur.

Connect with Darfuris who fled and are now living in your area, and provide support as they integrate themselves into British culture - see the Refugee Council website for more details.

DONATE

Aegis is a leading genocide prevention NGO, that works through advocacy, education and campaigning to stop future atrocities. Much of our work is carried out in countries where even small amounts of money makes a big difference, so please donate whatever you can - every donation makes a difference.



All information published on the issues featured in the Genocide Awareness Campaign is supplied by Aegis.

Find out more about the Jeneration and Aegis Trust Genocide Awareness Campaign.

Tuesday's focus: The Democratic Republic of Congo

Wednesday's focus: Rwanda

Thursday's focus: Armenia