Dream for Darfur

Genocide in Darfur

Violence and destruction are raging in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Since February 2003, government-sponsored militias known as the Janjaweed have conducted a calculated campaign of slaughter, rape, starvation and displacement in Darfur. Experts estimate that roughly 200,000 people have died due to violence, starvation and disease. More than 2.5 million people have been displaced from their homes and over 200,000 have fled across the border to Chad. Many now live in refugee camps lacking adequate food, water, shelter, sanitation, and health care. For the first time in history, the United States Congress and President recognized a situation as “genocide” while the atrocities were still ongoing. Characterized by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan as "Hell on Earth,” Darfur is widely considered the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today.

China's Role

No country has done more to support the regime in Khartoum than the People’s Republic of China: no country has offered more diplomatic support, nor done more to provide money to buy the weaponry that fuels the engine of genocidal destruction. And no country has done more to insulate Khartoum from economic pressure or human rights accountability.

Human security in Darfur and eastern Chad continues to deteriorate as 4.7 million conflict-affected human beings face ongoing threats of violence, malnutrition, and disease, and the world’s largest and most endangered humanitarian operation continues its critical work amidst unacceptable levels of insecurity. The genocide in Darfur has now entered its sixth year and there is still no meaningful protection on the ground for these vulnerable populations.

China Must:

Immediately provide half of the transport helicopters that UNAMID requires, with support from Europe and the United States for maintenance and contracting arrangements.
Support punitive measures, such as UN Security Council targeted sanctions, against Khartoum officials, until peace and security for Darfur is achieved. UN targeted sanctions should be imposed immediately against government, rebel, or militia officials who are responsible for undermining UNAMID’s deployment, the North-South peace deal, or regional stability, such as attempting to overthrow the government in neighboring Chad.
Verifiably suspend all military cooperation with the Khartoum regime, including weapons transfers, until peace and security for Darfur is achieved.
Work with the United States, France, and the United Kingdom in a quartet supporting UN and African Union initiatives in Darfur, Southern Sudan, and Chad. This cooperative work on the peace process needs to be comprehensive. The problems of Darfur, Southern Sudan, and Chad are intertwined, so unless peace is advanced on all of these fronts it will be unlikely to be achieved on any of these fronts.

Testimonials

While the atrocities in Darfur are measured in numbers -- hundreds of thousands dead, and 2.5 million displaced -- we must also remember the victims as individuals. Amnesty International researchers went to Chad in July and August 2006, and recorded the testimonies of survivors and witnesses of attacks.
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