THE CRISIS
photo: Lynsey Addario.
Sudanese rebels walk past dead Sudanese
government soldiers through a temporary military camp near the Darfur-Chad border.
The crisis in Darfur, in western Sudan, has led to some of the worst human rights
abuses imaginable, including systematic and widespread murder, rape, abduction and forced displacement. Hundreds of thousands
of civilians have died as a result of both deliberate and indiscriminate attacks, and more then 2 million civilians have been
forced to flee from their homes. The situation on the ground has been plagued with renewed violence, Janjawid attacks, and
aerial bombing by the Government of Sudan's military. Currently, the Government of Sudan is resisting the UN Security Council-mandated
peacekeeping operation that is desperately needed.
Amnesty representatives have met with UN, U.S. and European officials to call
for their vigorous action and have pressed the governments of Chad and Sudan directly. Amnesty's global membership has also
organized letter-writing campaigns and demonstrations to draw attention to the crisis.
The international community must, at
Sudan
Human Rights Concerns
Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have lost their lives since the Darfur conflict erupted in February 2003.
Systematic human rights abuses have occurred, including killing, torture, rape, looting and destroying of property by all
parties involved in the conflict, but primarily by the Sudanese government and government-backed Janjawid militia. Though
direct government participation in human rights abuses in Darfur has subsided, the Janjawid remains active in Darfur and Eastern
Chad, despite the negotiated Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). Civilians are increasingly at risk because of inter-rebel fighting
due to deep divisions among the rebel groups concerning the DPA.
Help Us End the Human Rights Crisis in Darfur
Amnesty International has again raised the urgency of its work on Darfur in an effort to stop the atrocities
taking place there, but we need your help to make peace and security a reality. Help us make a difference. Your voice is a
crucial part of this effort. Learn how you can get involved »
Over 2 million civilians have been internally displaced by the conflict and more than 215,000 have sought refuge in neighboring
Chad. Food is reportedly scarce and sanitary conditions poor. Refugees are continued targets of Janjawid and Darfur rebel
group activities in both Darfur and Eastern Chad. The fear of violence in Chad has become such that people are fleeing across
the border into Darfur.
The Sudanese government has placed impediments and restrictions on access for humanitarian aid agencies. Aid providers
are subject to untenable visa restrictions, organizations are limited in what materials they may use, and all aid providers
are subject to arbitrary rule making by the Khartoum government. Aid organization's face their biggest challenge in attempting
to operate in the insecurity in both Darfur and Chad. Aid providers have had food, equipment, and other materials seized by
the various militias, and a number of aid workers have been killed or kidnapped. These aid organizations are struggling to
operate in these conditions with frequent temporary suspension of activities. The result is humanitarian crisis, with some
vulnerable populations completely cut-off from aid, and others subject to interruptions of vital support.
The Sudanese government appears unwilling to address the human rights crisis in the region and has not taken the steps
necessary to curtail the activities of the Janjawid. The International Criminal Court has taken the first step in ending impunity
in Darfur by launching investigations into human rights violations in Darfur. The Government of Sudan has refused to cooperate
with the investigations, and international support for ICC activities in Sudan is necessary if impunity is to be addressed.
Urge China to Protect Civilians in DarfurAs the leading foreign investor in Sudan, China can exert significant influence on the Government of Sudan to admit UN
peacekeepers into Darfur. China has sent mixed messages to Khartoum, but is now increasingly indicating that Khartoum must
accept the compromise UN/AU hybrid force. Call on your Representatives to urge China to protect civilians in Darfur.
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