Sudan – Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

Darfur Women Action Symposium Promotes Women’s Dignity, Rights – “It’s Not Over” in Darfur

On Saturday, October 27, 2012, the Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) began a two day Darfur Women Action Symposium at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., with a goal to continue to empower women in Darfur and Sudan. The event was led by Niemat Ahmadi, who created the DWAG organization to work with Darfur women, advance human rights, and continue public education on the human rights issues on Darfur. The symposium had panelists on women’s rights and Darfur issues, as well as individuals testifying on their personal accounts. The symposium also included films shown on Darfur, activism training, and a women’s empowerment concert performed by “Midnight Child.” It concluded on Sunday, October 28 with a round table discussion to discuss strategies for change.

As stated in their vision, DWAG “works with victims and survivors of the Darfur genocide in the Diaspora and back home in Sudan, providing them with more access to the tools that will enable them to lead the effort to combat violence, address massive human rights abuses in their society and work with others to prevent future atrocities and promote global peace. The core priority for Darfur Women Action Group lies in advancing human rights and supporting Darfuri to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.”

DWAG maintains a website and a Facebook page which provides ongoing information about its programs and activities. DWAG founder and president Niemat Ahmadi has spoken on CNN, at numerous functions and rallies to educate the public on Darfur, and has also appeared in Human Rights Day events led by Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) to speak on Darfur issues, including comments in December 2010 and December 2011 (part 1, part 2) at the National Press Club.

On Saturday morning, the symposium speakers included representatives from the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), WE ADVANCE, Darfur Interfaith Network (DIN), Women Empowering Women, and other activists. Attendees included supporters and activists from George Washington University, American University, and activists from One Million Bones and other human rights organizations, including Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.). Some attendees traveled from Los Angeles, CA, Philadelphia, PA, and New York City, NY, including high school students who were working to promote awareness of Darfur women’s issues among their fellow students. Attendees included members of the Public International Law and Policy Group (PILPG), which posted their own summary on the Saturday morning portion of the symposium.

Emira Woods of the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) served as the moderator for discussions. Ms. Woods stated that the public needed to continue to become aware of the oppression of women in Darfur, and the ongoing problem of and that she urged everyone work towards helping internally displaced people (IDP) who have been forced to flee Sudan. Ms. Woods spoke out against rape and violence against women, speaking about how women in society must continue to challenge such violence and hate. Emira Woods stated “you strike a woman, and you strike a rock.”

emira-woods-ips — Emira Woods, Director of Foreign Policy in focus, Institute of Policy studies, speaks at DWAG conference: "Strike a woman, and you strike a rock."

Emira Woods introduced a DWAG film describing the problems of continuing rape and abuse of women in Darfur. The DWAG film urged the public to help the cause of Darfur women acting to rebuild their lives and to end the genocide and oppression against women. In the film, DWAG founder Niemat Ahmadi spoke about the oppression of women and the fears for her own safety, but that “for me to die is no different than those people who are dying.” Niemat Ahmadi remembered those oppressed and those “imprisoned in the IDP camps,” urging the public “let us promise ourselves and hold ourselves back that there is still something we can do to save others, to give hope and to give life to others.” The DWAG video recounted details of the millions killed, the 25 million displaced, the 4 thousand villages burned, the use of the Janjaweed militia to kill children and others, and the use of rape as a weapon of war.

dwagvideostill1 — DWAG Film: Founder Niemat Ahmadi urges the public to give hope and life to others

Darfur Women Action Group leader Niemat Ahmadi spoke at the symposium. Niemat Ahmadi expressed her thanks to the many people working to support Darfuri women and promote change for human rights and dignity in Darfur and Sudan. She praised the resilience and courage of the Darfuri women in their efforts to reclaim their position of respect in society. She pointed out that we must not allow people to tell us that the genocide is over in Darfur and Sudan. “It is not over,” Niemat Ahmadi stated, and she pointed out that there continues to be violence, killings, and oppression of Darfuri women and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP).

Niemat Ahmadi explained how women were previously treated with more respect in the traditional Darfur and Sudanese society. She explained how rape was used as a weapon of war to attack Darfur society, where chastity was an important value among the predominantly Muslim women in Darfur, and was intended to divide families, villages, and society. Niemat Ahmadi had worked with women who were raped to provide counseling, support, and courage; she encouraged Darfuri women to take a stand against such violence against women. Niemat Ahmadi urged such Darfuri women to use their talents and their strengths, and reject being viewed as victims. In addition, she noted that the issues for Darfuri women were not unlike problems for women in Nuba region, South Kordofan, and Khartoum. She urged that women continue to be part of the peace process in Sudan and Darfur.

Her influence in organizing the Darfuri women was viewed as a threat by the Sudanese government. As a result, she explained how the Sudanese government sought to prevent meetings of groups of Darfuri women. Niemat Ahmadi then how she used the concept of “movable meetings,” with two women meeting at a time, to share information and to spread the word on ways to combat the violence and oppression that they faced. Niemat Ahmadi described her desire to stay and continue to help those women in the IDP camps, but she was urged to come to the United States to use her influence and voice here to help Darfuri women. She urged women to end the stigma and silence regarding the violence against Darfuri women, and urged people in the United States and the world to use their influence to help change the future for women and children of Darfur. She thanked the various individuals who came to the symposium from various parts of the country, and the groups represented there.

niematdwag — Niemat Ahmadi, Founder and President of Darfur Women Action Group

Human rights activist Maria Bello, and co-founder of WE ADVANCE, addressed the issues of women’s rights around the world, including the efforts to help the women of Haiti. She discussed her efforts in helping women in Haiti was focused on what local people needed. Based on understanding the people, the WE ADVANCE group focused their efforts on promoting women’s clinics, educational classes, and digital educational platforms. Maria Bello stated that WE ADVANCE developed an interactive university, promoted women’s centers, and supported the development of women’s radio stations to empower women. She stated that the women’s centers had a way to also alert women as to instances of rape, so that they could respond to such violence. She indicated that the digital educational platforms could be used in other countries as well. Maria Bello also described the importance of foreign aid goals to focus on deliverables that include stories of empowerment and strength. On a broader level, Maria Bello described what she called a “revelation revolution,” which seeks to end the idea of women as victims, but focuses instead on women empowering themselves around the world – economically, in human rights, and in their societies.

Human rights student activist Charlotte Nguyen spoke of her family’s role as Cambodian refugees, whose family had been attacked by the Khmer Rouge, so she had personal experience in understanding the need to stop those committing genocide. When she was a 16 year old student, she attempted to create an anti-genocide petition, but it was rejected, and she held a sit-in, which resulted her being suspended and failing calculus (since her suspension prevented her from taking high school examinations). In promoting human rights, she became a part of a U.N. human rights organization traveling to Sudan, and she learned of the “profound disconnect” between activism here and on the need of the people in Sudan. She came away with the realization that the Darfuri people were not voiceless, but had their own voice and wanted to fight their own battles. But at the heart of the human rights efforts were strong Darfur women. She urged the public to move from charity to engagement, recommended that the public listen more rather than offer our own solutions, and since women are at the center of the war zone in Sudan, she stated that they must also be at the center of any peace and resolution in Sudan.

Hawa Mohamed came forward to testify on her personal account of violence against women in Darfur, and how she sought to speak for those left behind. She told of how over 20 people had been raped in her village. She stated that even young children were being raped. She urged the world to continue to hold Omar Al Bashir responsible for his actions. She stated that now that she is in the United States, she is learning English so that she can gain employment and hoped that the next time she spoke it would be in English. Niemat Ahmadi joined with Hawa Mohamed to provide a translation of her story into English.

A leader of the Darfur Interfaith Network (DIN) spoke about the efforts of that group, and their continuing efforts working with the Sudanese diaspora, which meets once a month at the Washington Hebrew Congregation. The group is also affiliated with Act for Sudan. She stated that she was inspired by a discussion of the Darfur genocide in 2000 at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, recognizing that it is a “modern day Holocaust,” and feeling that she had to get involved in some way to work to end these crimes against humanity.

She explained how the Darfur Interfaith Network (DIN) had a public rally every third Sunday of the month at the Sudan Embassy in Washington, D.C., from 1:30 to 2:30 PM. She stated that the group’s activities were described at a Facebook page for “Hope for Darfur Justice in Sudan,” which was the basis for beginning such interfaith rallies. She urged the public to contact their government officials and their Congressional representative to call for change in Sudan. [NOTE: In addition to the monthly DIN rallies at the Sudan embassy, the next “Hope for Dafur – Justice in Sudan” rally is scheduled for Spring 2013, according to the group’s Facebook site.]

Several individuals involved with DWAG spoke to tell about their involvement and support:

— One Darfuri woman spoke about her appreciation for the organization and its activities, who “are like my family,” and who provide an opportunity to “share my stories.”

— Another activist spoke about how the group taught “people how to grow”

— Human rights activist Carol Nezzo spoke about her joy in being involved in any effort to empower women, and she spoke about the importance of people learning about African cultures and people. She blew a whistle and said that she sought to “call foul” on those individuals who sought to oppress Darfuri women and any women around the world.

Mr. Khalid Geasis spoke about his appreciation of efforts to restore Sudan’s culture, which traditionally had great respect and honor for women. He stated that traditionally women were the center of the culture, and Sudan was ruled by queens, prior to invasion by outside patriachal influences in the Sudanese culture, which have since sought to marginalize women and women’s rights.

Human rights activist Carol Bluer-Bate spoke about the Women Empowering Women movement, and focused on issues of channeling activism for positive goals and human dignity. She spoke about her efforts to help survivors of torture, and her efforts to bring women together for discussion and support. She spoke about the need not to allow oppression to gain power over human beings, and she urged her fellow human beings to “love your enemies” as their brothers and sisters in humanity.

darfurphotos — Darfuri Photos - shown at the symposium

darfurgroup — Photo of Darfuri People - displayed at symposium

Responsible for Equality and Liberty (R.E.A.L.) looks forward to the opportunity to host the Darfur Women Action Group to speak at our December 10 Human Rights Day event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. this year.

Human Rights Day Event 2011 – Activists Call for Rights, Dignity for All

At the National Press Club in Washington DC, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) coordinated a Human Rights Day event on December 8, inviting co-sponsors from various groups to speak on behalf of human rights issues important to their organizations. The groups remembered the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations on December 10, 1948 and the inherent human rights, human dignity, respect, and social justice that all of our fellow human deserve – of any identity group and in any part of the world.

* Jeffrey Imm, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

* Ahmar Mustikhan, Senior Journalist and Area Expert, Balochistan

* Carolyn Cook, United for Equality

* Jared Pearman, Spokesperson of Falun Dafa Association of Washington DC

* Husain Abdulla, Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB)

* Niemat Ahmadi, United to End Genocide

(For each individual, we have provide Internet links to their Human Rights Day Event remarks.)

The speakers discussed the need to consistently show respect, compassion, dignity, and human rights to people in different parts of the world and in different identity groups.

Human-Rights-Day-300x200 — Human Rights Day – Remembering the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

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R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm spoke on the need to emphasize respect, instead of arrogance, in recognizing human rights, stating that it was arrogance by those who believe that they had superior rights to others that is a key problem in human rights around the world. He urged the world to make a “declaration of love” towards their fellow human beings, and to Choose Love, Not Hate, in our lives and the lives of others in our communities, our nations, and our identity groups. Jeffrey Imm spoke of the dire situation of poverty around the world and the impact on such poverty on human rights, stating that such poverty can undermine human rights for many, including individuals in the United States of America who he was working to support. He urged people to give to charities and to people in need.

R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm also spoke on the future of human rights being defined by the example we set, and the way we treat our children. He spoke on the continuing disgrace of abuse, rape, kidnapping, and murder of children around the world, as well as by those in institutions and society who have not made chidren’s rights a priority. Jeffrey Imm urged the United States to adopt the Convention on Rights of the Child.

He also spoke on atrocities against children in the United States of America (the murder of 7 year of Jorelys Rivera, the murder of children in Texas), in Pakistan (the brainwashing of children by terrorists, the rape and murder of young girls, and the killing of Christian minority girls, including the recent killing of Amariah Masih), in Sudan and Dafur (rape of young girls, killing of children, and loss of their culture and innocence), in Balochistan (over 168 children have “disappeared” with teenage boys killed by authorities in a “kill and dump” campaign), in People’s Republic of China (the lack of concern of about a 2 year old child killed in the street, the government-sponsored forced abortions and infanticide, and the killing or abandonment of minority children such as children of Falun Gong practitioners), and in Bahrain (five children killed and hundreds of children subjected to excessive force by anti-protest authorities). Jeffrey Imm also spoke on the institutional willingness to accept such abuses of children, including an Afghan girl released from prison on the condition she marry her rapist, and the reports of child abuse at the Pennsylvania State University and other institutions in America. He also decried the so-called “honor killings” of young girls and boys by those who believe their cultural or religious views justified abuse and murder of children, and called for an end to these, noting that there were 3,000 such cases in the United Kingdom alone, according to stophonourkillings.com. He spoke of the oppression against children in the United States of America, and his own efforts to stop such abuses.

Jeffrey Imm stated that these “are all OUR children,” who “are our common bond and bridge to the future.” He suggested that in this season of reflection and gift-giving in much of the world, that we should first reach out to help the children and the less fortunate among us. He stated that our greatest gift to children from adult human beings must be in making a renewed commitment to protect our vulnerable children around the world. Jeffrey Imm stated, “We must give the gift of our courage, our consistency, and our commitment for the universal human rights and dignity to all of our children around the world…. We must set an example for our children. We must provide a beacon and symbol of hope for our children. We must show that by our words and more importantly by actions, in the United States and around the world – to our children – and to each other… We are Responsible for Equality And Liberty.”

A more detailed description of Jeffrey Imm’s remarks can be found at this web link.

A YouTube video of his remarks is online.

Jeffrey_Imm_HR_Day_2011 — Jeffrey Imm, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.), Human Rights Day Event 2011

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Ahmer Mustikhan, a senior journalist and Balochistan area expert, spoke on the issue of supporting democracy and human rights for the Baloch people, and called the end to abuses against Pakistan minorities. Regarding the challenges within the Pakistan government, Ahmer Mustikhan called for the United States and the nations of the world to prevent the Pakistan military from interfering with the democratic government in Pakistan. “It is true the democratic government of President Asif Ali Zardari gave the Baloch 300 bodies in the last four or so years, but still we would support it against the military generals. Democracy does make a difference in the lives of people and we can not remain oblivious to this fact,” Mustikhan said. Mustikhan, who founded the DC-based American Friends of Balochistan and co-founded the International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, also asked the world community to intervene in Balochistan on the same lines as they did in Libya to stop the genocide there and safeguard the right to self-determination of the Baloch people. He said scores of Baloch teenagers have been made victims of enforced disappearances and killed. He narrated the story of a Baloch minor boy Abdul Wahid Baloch, aka Balaach Baloch, who gained fame after his picture showing him clad in a Balochistan flag was posted on social websites last year. Ahmar Mustikhan also spoke on the issue of Pakistan minorities, including Pakistan Christians, and urged the Pakistan government to free Asia Bibi, who has been imprisoned on trumped-up charges of the “blasphemy law,” which has been used to target and oppress religious minorities in Pakistan.

A more detailed description of Ahmer Mustikhan’s remarks can be found at this web link.

A YouTube video of his remarks is online (Part 1, Part 2).

Ahmar_Mustikhan_HR_Day — Ahmar Mustikhan, Senior Journalist and Area Expert, Balochistan – regarding the oppression and abuse of the Baloch people and Pakistan minorities on Human Rights Day Event 2011

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Carolyn Cook, founder and CEO of United for Equality, spoke at the National Press Club in Washington DC on December 8, as part of a Human Rights Day Event, calling for a renewed commitment by Americans in support of the Constitutional rights for all American women, as part of our global human rights goals. United for Equality is a social justice enterprise seeking the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (E.R.A.) by 2015. Carolyn stated that we must change the way people think and what we tolerate in our culture regarding the rights and dignity of our fellow Americans and fellow human beings. Carolyn spoke out against the discrimination and the efforts to deny full equality to women in America, in every aspect of their lives. She stated that we need to take our system back and make it ours. Carolyn Cook stated that United for Equality’s coalition successfully introduced a bill to the 112the session of the United States Congress calling for Congress to remove the time limit on the Equal Rights Amendment (E.R.A.), as the United States previously had the ratification of the E.R.A. in 35 states, and it requires ratification in 38 states and by 2/3s of the House and Senate. She pointed out how previous U.S. government officials sought to halt the efforts to ratify the E.R.A. after 10 years when nearly all of the required states but 3 had ratified this Constitutional Amendment, and pointed out that women have no desire to “start over” the ratification of the E.R.A.

Carolyn Cook also spoke on the paradigm of options we have as activists and participants in defending human rights. Carolyn urged a more holistic approach towards addressing human rights as lifelong causes. She discussed lessons learned from the Occupy movement and other social activist efforts to bring change to the world. Her discussion on lessons from the Occupy movement are detailed in the YouTube video of her speech beginning at 6:36 minutes in on Part 1 and continuing and concluding in Part 2 of her remarks.

A more detailed description of Carolyn Cook’s remarks can be found at this web link.

A YouTube video of her remarks is online (Part 1, Part 2).

Carolyn_Cook_HR_Day_2011 — Carolyn Cook, CEO and Founder of United for Equality, Speaks on Behalf of American Women’s Constitutional Rights – on Human Rights Day 2011 Event

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Jared Pearman, Spokesperson for the Falun Dafa Association of Washington, DC, spoke on behalf of human rights and human dignity for the Falun Gong / Falun Dafa. He provided information about the Falun Gong as “a peaceful spiritual practice rooted in traditional Chinese culture,” which “consists of meditation, five gentle sets of exercises, and a moral philosophy centered on the values of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.” While pointing out that Falun Gong is not political, Mr. Pearman stated that “as Falun Gong grew in popularity throughout the 1990s, China’s communist leaders began to view the practice and its moral philosophy as ideological competition.” For the past 12 years, he indicated that “China’s rulers began a campaign to eradicate Falun Gong. Since then, like underground Christians and Tibetan Buddhists, millions of Falun Gong adherents have been denied the right to peacefully practice their faith.” Despite massive arrests, torture, killings and denial of human rights for the Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party, Mr. Pearman stated that “Falun Gong has not been crushed, and reports from China indicate that the number of practitioners is instead growing. Ordinary citizens are increasingly standing up in defense of Falun Gong and are refusing to participate in the persecution.” He called for the Chinese government and the world to recognize and defend the human rights of the Falun Gong. Mr. Pearman offered “an alternate vision of what China could be — an alternative way of conceptualizing Chinese national identity”…. that “connects with China’s moral and spiritual traditions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, and holds that the cultivation of virtue, honesty, and humanness are the true sources of national greatness.”

A more detailed description of Jared Pearman’s remarks can be found at this web link.

A YouTube video of his remarks is online.

Jared_Pearman_HR_Day_Falun_ — Jared Pearman, Spokesperson of Falun Dafa Association of Washington DC, oppressed in the PRC and denied their most basic human rights and dignity by those who view their practice and support for traditional Chinese values as a threat to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) – Speaking at 2011 Human Rights Day Event

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Husain Abdulla, leader of Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB), spoke on behalf of Bahrainis oppressed by government forces that seek to deny democracy. He spoke of the initial protests on February 14, 2011, of those who sought to join the “Arab Spring” movement for democracy, and the brutal oppression of the Bahrain government. Since March 2011, Husain Abdulla stated that Bahrain protesters have been subjected to torture and death. 45 were killed, over 2,000 arbitrary arrests, 1,866 cases of documented torture, 5,000 prisoners of conscience, destruction of 40 places of worship, and 3,000 fired from their jobs, 500 forced out of Bahrain, 3 on death row, 477 students expelled from universities, and 300 students had scholarships taken away — all in retaliation for the willingness to protest against the Bahrain government. He stated that over 500 doctors have been detained. He noted that Bahrain is a close ally to the United States, and he urged Americans to call for the American government to end the “blind eye” to Bahrain human rights violations.

A more detailed description of Husain Abdulla’s remarks can be found at this web link.

A YouTube video of his remarks is online (Part 1, Part 2).

Husain_Abdulla_HR_Day_2011 — Husain Abdulla, speaking at National Press Club on Human Rights Day Event – Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) — speaking on behalf of Bahranis oppressed by government forces that seek to deny democracy

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Niemat Ahmadi spoke at the National Press Club Human Rights Day Event on December 8, 2011, to address the abuse of Darfuris and Sudanese. Niemat Ahmadi represents the United to End Genocide group. She spoke about the Genocide in Sudan which has been ongoing for over 8 years, and that have driven 4,000,000 out of their homes. Niemat Ahmadi spoke on the need for Americans to call for justice regarding Omar Al-Bashir. She noted that the efforts of Al-Bashir regime have changed their tactics and seek to use rape against women as a weapon of war against the Darfuri people. Niemat Ahmadi spoke of the continuing attacks on Darfuri cities, homes, and attempts to stop safe travel of people of African nationalities who have been fleeing to displaced persons camps. Niemat Ahmadi urged those in Arab nations seeking democracy in their nations to stand up to dictatorial Arab regimes who have supported the brutal Al-Bashir regime.

A more detailed description of Niemat Ahmadi’s remarks can be found at this web link.

A YouTube video of her remarks is online (Part 1, Part 2).

Niemat_Ahmadi_HR_Day_2011 — Niemat Ahmadi, with United to End Genocide, Speaks Out on the Darfur Genocide in Support of Human Rights – at Human Rights Day Event 2011

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In R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm’s concluding remarks, he urged the human rights activists to continue to work together in the coming year on joint activists. He noted that after the winter comes the spring, and in the spring, he often goes to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum during Holocaust Remembrance Days to participate in the reading of the names. Even if there is only one or two people there, Imm noted, there is someone to remember, and it is done simply because it is the right thing to do.

He urged human rights activists to remember that in their work of spreading hope, reaching out to offer dignity, justice, freedom, and consistent universal human rights to all. That is the vision and the mission of being collectively…

Responsible for Equality And Liberty….

Choose Love, Not Hate, Love Wins.

real_ribbon_v — Orange Ribbon for Universal Human Rights – Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

Niemat Ahmadi Speaks for Human Rights for Darfur/Sudan

Niemat Ahmadi spoke on the need for Americans to call for justice regarding Omar Al-Bashir. She noted that the efforts of Al-Bashir regime have changed their tactics and seek to use rape against women as a weapon of war against the Darfuri people.

Niemat Ahmadi spoke of the continuing attacks on Darfuri cities, homes, and attempts to stop safe travel of people of African nationalities who have been fleeing to displaced persons camps. She stated that people who spoke out for people in the camps have been kidnapped, raped, and killed; she indicated that many NGOs have abandoned the Darfuri people.

Niemat Ahmadi urged those in Arab nations seeking democracy in their nations to stand up to dictatorial Arab regimes who have supported the brutal Al-Bashir regime.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands by those who seek to end the genocide and oppression of the Darfuri people and others in Sudan.

The video and audio of her full speech can be seen on YouTube, which is in two parts: Part 1 and Part 2.

Mohamed Yahya October 17 Remarks – United Nations

UN Book Wish Foundation Organization Conference October 17, NYC

Mohamed Yahya, Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy

Sudan: Khartoum’s Controversial Darfur Peace Process

Institute for War & Peace Reporting (London)

Sudan: Khartoum’s Controversial Darfur Peace Process

Assadig Mustafa Zakaria Musa 9 May 2011

DC: White House Protesters Call for Action on Sudan’s Omar Al-Bashir for Genocide

The Sudanese diaspora and a wide range of human rights activists protested outside of the White House today, sometimes during the rain on a hot July afternoon, calling for U.S. President Barack Obama and his administration to take action on the International Criminal Court (ICC) July 12, 2010 warrant against Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir on three charges of genocide.

July 14 was also the second anniversary of the July 14, 2008 ICC decision to issue an arrest warrant against the Sudanese President al-Bashir for his role in orchestrating and perpetrating war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

Protest groups at the White House included the Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy, Africa Action, Darfur Interfaith Network, Voices for Sudan, Save Darfur Coalition, Darfur Women’s Action Group (DWAG), Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), Our Humanity in the Balance, and Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.). (See online photo album of photos of protesters.) The protesters also delivered a statement to the White House calling for the U.S. government to take action to end the genocide in Sudan and to ensure justice against Omar Al-Bashir and those responsible for genocide.

At times standing in the rain in front of the White House in Washington DC, human rights groups demanded that the U.S. government take responsibility for it influence as a world superpower to bring Omar Al-Bashir to justice. The protesters chanted “Peace and Justice in Darfur,” “Al-Bashir to the ICC,” “War Criminals to the ICC,” and “Peace and Justice in Sudan – Yes We Can,” and they urged President Obama, Vice President Biden, and U.S. Sudan Envoy General Scott Gration to take serious steps against the genocide of the Omar Al-Bashir government.

Africa Action protesters provided a banner calling for an end “global apartheid,” and the Damanga coalition’s banner called for “Freedom for Darfur.” R.E.A.L had placards calling for “Justice and Human Rights for Darfur” and “Peace in Sudan Begins with Justice.”

Damanga Leader Mohamed Yahya spoke of the need to ensure justice for the Darfur people and Sudanese people, and urged the American government to do the right thing and “make history” by taking action against the genocidal architects within the Omar Al-Bashir government.

Damanga Leader Mohamed Yahya Speaks Outside White House

Niemat Ahmadi, with Darfur Women’s Action Group (DWAG) and the Save Darfur Coalition, spoke to urgency need for action in Darfur and thanked the human rights activists for their continued commitment to the cause of struggling for human right in Darfur and Sudan.

Niemat Ahmadi, with Darfur Women’s Action Group (DWAG) and the Save Darfur Coalition, Speaks

Jimmy Mulla, leader of Voices for Sudan, called for the American government to recognize the importance of the July 12 arrest warrant by the ICC for Omar Al-Bashir and to take action to ensure Al-Bashir faces justice.

Jimmy Mulla, leader of Voices for Sudan, Speaks

Meryl Zendarski, with Africa Action and Our Humanity in the Balance, led protester chants, and called for the American government to recognize the need for justice to achieve peace in Sudan.

Meryl Zordanki, with Africa Action and Our Humanity in the Balance Speaks — Meryl Zendarski, with Africa Action and Our Humanity in the Balance Speaks

Jeffrey Imm, founder of Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.), led protester chants calling for justice in Darfur and Sudan, and spoke of the need for all people to act against genocide as a fundamental violation to human rights. Jeffrey Imm stated that “just like we rejected Adolf Hitler, so we also reject Omar Al-Bashir.” He stated that “genocide is our problem,” and that just like we cannot have peace and security without justice anywhere in the world, we must have justice to achieve peace and security in Sudan. He called for the American government to action against those responsible for genocide, and stated that enforcing our universal human rights is a law enforcement responsibility for the governments of the world, and is part of our shared responsibility for equality and liberty.

Damanga Leader Mohamed Yahya thanked all of the volunteers at the protest, including the student protesters that are always there in support of Sudan and Darfur human rights issues. Mohamed Yahya urged all Americans to be part of history by making such human rights issues a priority in their government and their lives, and seeking to bring justice to those responsible for genocide.

Damanga's Mohamed Yahya Speaks at White House

Protesters at White House in Support of Justice in Darfur and Sudan

Protesters Listen as Damanga's Mohamed Yahya Speaks on "Historic" Opportunity for Justice in Darfur and Sudan

Protesters for Justice Undiscouraged by Rain

As the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) stated in its press release on the July 12, 2010 warrant for genocide against Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir, “Justice requires that President Al Bashir respond to these very serious charges against him.”

The Continuing Tragedy of Darfur and the Failure of America to Act

A recent R.E.A.L. posting described the continuing tragedy in Darfur and Sudan and the failure of the U.S. government administration to effectively act to ensure justice for those victimized by Omar Al-Bashir’s genocide.

Over 400,000 have been killed in Darfur, countless women have been raped and abused in Darfur, and there are an estimated 2.6 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) at risk. Despite an abundance of oil and other natural resources controlled by the Omar Al-Bashir government, the vast majority of Sudan’s people live in poverty, and many children die daily from malnutrition and poverty.

Omar Al-Bashir Charged with Three Counts of Genocide by the ICC (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Omar Al-Bashir was recently re-elected in an “election” that was widely disputed as fraudulent, with even the Sudan National Election committee recognizing irregularities, and was boycotted by many. Washington DC area Sudanese diaspora and human rights activists protested the Sudanese elections in May 2010. Sudan is listed as one of the “worst of the worst” nations in terms of human rights, by both the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and NGOs such as Freedom House.

Despite promises from the Barack Obama administration to take action on the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudanese human rights activists have been disappointed in what many view as efforts by the administration to “normalize” relations with the Omar Al-Bashir administration, which the ICC has now charged with genocide (see more below ICC press release). U.S. envoy General Scott Gration has stated that he views the Sudan “coordinated genocide” is over. In May 2009 alone, 600 were killed in Sudan.

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands with those seeking justice and peace in Sudan and Darfur, in support of our universal human rights. R.E.A.L. knows that such human rights are mere words if we are not accountable for upholding them. Such responsibility includes holding those responsible for genocide accountable for their actions. We call for all of our fellow human beings to speak out on the tragedy in Darfur and Sudan, and to be consistently responsible for equality and liberty.

Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir Charged with Three Counts of Genocide in Darfur

On July 12, 2010, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced a second arrest warrant for Sudan’s president Omar Al-Bashir, charging Bashir with three counts of genocide. Over 400,000 have been killed in Darfur, countless women have been raped and abused in Darfur, and there are an estimated 2.6 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) at risk. Despite an abundance of oil and other natural resources controlled by the Omar Al-Bashir government, the vast majority of Sudan’s people live in poverty, and many children die daily from malnutrition and poverty.

On Wednesday, July 14, 2010, the Sudanese diaspora and human rights groups plan protests outside the White House in Washington DC at 12 Noon. July 14, 2008 is the day that the ICC Chief prosecutor submitted a request for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir.

In March 2010, ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo stated that elections for Omar Al-Bashir, would be equivalent to “a Hitler election.”

International Criminal Court (ICC) Press Release:
International Criminal Court (ICC): Pre-Trial Chamber I issues a second warrant of arrest against Omar Al Bashir for counts of genocide

“Today, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a second warrant of arrest against the President of Sudan, Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir, considering that there are reasonable grounds to believe him responsible for three counts of genocide committed against the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa ethnic groups, that include: genocide by killing, genocide by causing serious bodily or mental harm and genocide by deliberately inflicting on each target group conditions of life calculated to bring about the group’s physical destruction.”

“This second arrest warrant does not replace or revoke in any respect the first warrant of arrest issued against Mr Al Bashir on 4 March, 2009, which shall thus remain in effect. In the previous arrest warrant, the Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Al Bashir is criminally responsible for five counts of crimes against humanity (murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture and rape) and two counts for war crimes (intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities, and pillaging).”

“On 4 March, 2009, Pre-Trial Chamber I had rejected the Prosecutor’s application in respect of the crime of genocide. On 6 July, 2009, the Prosecutor filed an appeal against this decision. On 3 February, 2010, the Appeals Chamber rendered its judgment on the Prosecutor’s appeal, reversing, by unanimous decision, Pre-Trial Chamber I’s decision of 4 March, 2009, to the extent that Pre-Trial Chamber I decided ‘not to issue a warrant of arrest in respect of the charge of genocide in view of an erroneous standard of proof’. The Appeals Chamber directed the Pre-Trial Chamber to decide anew whether or not the arrest warrant should be extended to cover the charge of genocide. Applying the standard of proof as identified by the Appeals Chamber, Pre-Trial Chamber I concluded today that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Al Bashir acted with specific intent to destroy in part the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa ethnic groups.”

“Pre-Trial Chamber I requests the Registrar of the Court to prepare a supplementary request for co-operation seeking the arrest and surrender of Mr Al Bashir for the counts contained in both the first and the second warrant of arrest, and transmit such a request to the competent Sudanese authorities, to all States Parties to the Rome Statute, and to all the United Nations Security Council members that are not States Parties to the Statute. The Registrar is also directed to transmit additional requests for the arrest and surrender of Omar Al Bashir to the Court to any other State as may be necessary.”

“The situation in Darfur was referred to the International Criminal Court by the United Nations Security Council’s resolution 1593, on 31 March, 2005. In this situation, four cases are being heard: The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Muhammad Harun (‘Ahmad Harun’) and Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (‘Ali Kushayb’); The Prosecutor v. Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir; The Prosecutor v. Bahar Idriss Abu Garda and The Prosecutor v. Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain and Saleh Mohammed Jerbo Jamus.”

“The International Criminal Court is the only permanent international court established with the mission to help put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, namely the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and thus to contribute to the prevention of such crimes. ”

Decision on the Prosecution’s Application for a Warrant of Arrest against Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir

Second Decision on the Prosecution’s Application for a Warrant of Arrest

Judgment on the appeal of the Prosecutor against the “Decision on the Prosecution’s Application for a Warrant of Arrest against Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir”

Warrant of Arrest for Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir

Second warrant of arrest for Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir

Case information sheet “The Prosecutor v. Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir”

For further information please contact Sonia Robla, Chief of Public Information and Documentation Section, at +31 (0)70 515-8089 or +31 (0) 6 46 44 87 26 or at sonia.robla@icc-cpi.int

United States of America Government Policies on Sudan

In March 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama appointed General Scott Gration to be the United States special envoy to Sudan. In the summer of 2009, the Washington Times and Washington Post reported on a “softer line” that the Obama administration was taking to the Omar Al-Bashir administration, indicted and now charged with genocide. The Washington Times reported in July 2009: “Mr. Gration has taken a softer line than Ms. Rice toward the regime headed by Sudanese President Omar Bashir, going so far last month as to say that the genocide against the people of Darfur was over and that the world was now dealing with the remnants of the killings.” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan E. Rice has differed with General Gration’s views that the genocide in Sudan is over. (In May 2009 alone, 600 were killed in Sudan.)

U.S. General Scott Gration - Envoy to Sudan (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

In September 2009, the Washington Post reported in “Obama Administration Engages Sudanese Regime It Blasted,” that the U.S. administrations position on Sudan was seeking to “normalize” relations with Sudan, reporting that “U.S. diplomacy has remained mostly in the hands of Obama’s special envoy to Sudan, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration, who is pushing toward normalized relations with the only country in the world led by a president indicted on war-crimes charges.” U.S. envoy General Gration spoke of the Al-Bashir regime charged with genocide to the Washington Post, stating, “We’ve got to think about giving out cookies. Kids, countries, they react to gold stars, smiley faces, handshakes, agreements, talk, engagement.” ABC later stated that “The story states that Gration wants the US to normalize relations with the Sudan.”

Sudanese Human Rights Groups have been critical of General Gration and President Obama’s approach regarding the genocide in Sudan, and apparent unwillingness to prioritize justice for the victims of genocide as a key component of seeking peace in Sudan.

Mohamed Yahya, Executive Director of Damanga

Damanga’s Executive Director Mohamed Yahya has been critical of General Gration and President Obama’s lack of action regarding the genocide in Sudan. Damanga’s Mohamed Yahya has stated: “It is also terribly sad to see the U.S. government and the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, General Scott Gration, giving support to Al-Bashir and his rogue NIF-National Islamic Front regime that hosted Osama Bin Laden in the Capitol Khartoum in early 1990’s for almost five years. This is the same Sudanese government that has terrorized its own people, as well as hosted international terrorists. It is unfortunate to see the Obama administration, United Nations, African Union, Arab Leagues, European Union, and the Islamic world to come together this time to support this genocidal regime, when they never came together before to support the victims of Darfur. Where has such world unity been to restore justice and human rights in Sudan for a lasting peace? Darfur has largely been abandoned, while the Darfuri people’s human rights have been taken away.”

Jerry Fowler of the Save Darfur Coalition added, “It’s jarring to hear talk of ‘gold stars’ and ‘smiley faces’ for a regime headed by an indicted war criminal. We have always insisted that the best way to deal with Khartoum is a sensible balance of pressures and incentives. The pressures part of that calculation seems to be missing in General Gration’s comments. The Sudanese government is primarily responsible for creating the political instability in Sudan and bears the brunt of the responsibility for ending it. And blaming the victims for not being more open minded towards their oppressors defies logic.”

Sam Bell, Executive Director of Genocide Intervention Network, added, “This article casts the importance of the Principals Meeting in stark relief. Senators Obama, Biden and Clinton all spoke compellingly about the need to take a tough and principled stand with Khartoum. If Washington is going to start taking war criminals at their word, despite the long list of Khartoum’s broken commitments, an even larger tragedy will soon unfold.”

July 14, 2010 White House Protests Planned on U.S. Government Policies on Sudan

On Wednesday, July 14, 2010, the Sudanese diaspora, the Damanga organization, and the Darfur Interfaith Community are planning a joint protest in front of the White House at 12 Noon in Lafayette Park.

Damanga’s Press Release on the July 14 Protest States

Please join our call for the arrest of Omar Al Bashir

Sudanese Diaspora from all over the DC metropolitan area coming to Washington DC to demonstrate their commitment to justice and remind the world that July 14th of 2008 marked the indictment of Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir by the ICC. He is still a fugitive of justice and has continued committing more atrocities against our people in Darfur and other parts of Sudan.

When: Wednesday July 14th, noon – 1:00 pm

Where: Lafayette Park, in front of the White House

“Please join the people of Sudan in their fight for justice. Your support is extremely important to bring justice for the victims of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. We need you to help make this a priority to the leaders of the world. Please come and bring your friends with you to join in bringing Al Bashir to justice!”

“July 14, 2008 represents an important day for the people of Darfur and throughout Sudan. On this day, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against the Sudanese President al-Bashir for his role in orchestrating and perpetrating war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur. The indictment of al-Bashir has brought hope to the people of Darfur in particular but also other marginalized Sudanese in the South, East, Nuba Mountain, Blue Nile and the Nubia in the Far North Sudan. It ensures that no one is above the law, one day justice can be achieved and finally that impunity will not be an option in Sudan.”

“Therefore we, the Sudanese community leaders and human rights activists, in Washington DC metropolitan area have decided not to remain silent. We must come together and commemorate this day and call the attention of the international community that they need to live up to their commitment and honor their promise by providing the necessary support to the ICC, reinforce its effort to execute the pending arrest warrant against al-Bashir and hold him accountable for the crimes committed against the people of Darfur.”

“On July 14, 2008, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), submitted his request to indict Omar al-Bashir, on several counts of crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. The indictment came as a result of enormous effort by human rights organizations and the advocacy community forcing the U.N Security Council to refer the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation.”

“July 14th, 2010 will mark the second anniversary of Sudan’s president being indicted, yet the atrocities have not ended. Come one and come all to share a moment of action.”

“‘The motives of the Sudanese head of state were ‘above all, political,’… He used the ‘alibi’ of counterinsurgency in order to try ‘to end the history of the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa people.’ In fact, ‘his intent was genocide.’ — Luis Moreno-Ocampo”

“In commemoration of this historic day to remember individuals lives lost and to build on the international effort to achieve justice in all of Sudan, all human rights and advocacy organizations are called upon to participate in the day of remembrance and action.”

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) urges all people to support our Universal Human Rights.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

July 14, 2010 White House Protests Planned on U.S. Government Policies on Sudan

Damanga’s Press Release on the July 14 Protest States

Please join our call for the arrest of Omar Al Bashir

When: Wednesday July 14th, noon – 1:00 pm

Where: Lafayette Park, in front of the White House

“July 14th, 2010 will mark the second anniversary of Sudan’s president being indicted, yet the atrocities have not ended. Come one and come all to share a moment of action.”

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July 14, 2008 – International Criminal Court (ICC) Press Release: ICC Prosecutor presents case against Sudanese President, Hassan Ahmad AL BASHIR, for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur

July 12, 2010 – International Criminal Court (ICC) Press Release: Pre-Trial Chamber I issues a second warrant of arrest against Omar Al Bashir for counts of genocide

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Logistics and Map:

If you are taking the Washington DC subway (Metro), you should exit at the Farragut West (Orange/Blue Lines), Farragut North (Red Line), or McPherson Square (Orange/Blue Lines) metro stops.

FARRAGUT WEST METRO STATION to WHITE HOUSE Walking Directions: 1. Exit station through 18TH & I (EYE) ST NW entrance. 2. Walk approx. 1 block S on 18th St NW. 3. Turn left on Pennsylvania Ave NW. 4. Walk approx. 3 blocks SE on Pennsylvania Ave NW.

FARRAGUT NORTH METRO STATION to WHITE HOUSE Walking Directions: 1. Exit station through CONNETICUT AVE & K ST NW entrance. 2. Walk a short distance S on Connecticut Ave NW. 3. Walk straight on 17th St NW. 4. Walk approx. 1 block S on 17th St NW. 5. Turn left on I St NW. 6. Walk a short distance E on I St NW. 7. Turn right on Connecticut Ave NW. 8. Walk approx. 1 block S on Connecticut Ave NW. 9. Bear right on Jackson Pl NW. 10. Walk approx. 1 block S on Jackson Pl NW. 11. Turn left on Pennsylvania Ave NW. 12. Walk approx. 1 block E on Pennsylvania Ave NW.

Damanga Response to Opinion Piece on Sudan by George Clooney and John Prendergast

Damanga Response to Opinion Piece on Sudan by George Clooney and John Prendergast

By Mohamed Yahya, Executive Director, Damanga

As Darfur genocide survivors and American human rights activists, we are very disturbed by what Actor George Clooney and “Enough Project” activist John Prendergast has to say about war and peace in Darfur and Sudan. They jointly co-authored an article on June 9, 2010 titled “U.S. must help stop Sudan’s slow-motion war.” While human rights activists certainly seek an end to war and violence, we also recognize that compassionate nations and compassionate people seek justice, equality, dignity, and human rights as the building blocks of any lasting peace.

We are deeply troubled to read that the authors of the opinion piece seek “[p]arallel carrots and sticks are the key to this approach.” According to the authors, on the “carrots” side, the U.S. should present a quid pro quo with an expiration date by the end of the year. In exchange for peace in Darfur and the South, the U.S. would move to normalize relations with Sudan and work in the Security Council to suspend the war crimes indictment of President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir under article 16 of the International Criminal Court Charter. On the “sticks” side, the authors call for “a U.S.–led Initiative should build international support for severe consequences for anyone promoting war, whether they are ruling party officials, militias, rebels, or Southern Sudan’s leaders.”

For years, we have heard the same philosophical slogans: “Peace Incentives,” “Door 1 vs. Door 2 scenario,” “carrots and sticks,” and so forth, as if we are dealing with a government of angels or peace-making leaders. What “carrots” or incentives should people of conscience offer to the architects of genocide? If we accept an international code of Universal Human Rights for all people, is there no responsibility for human rights activists to call for action on such human rights, even in the face of genocide? How can people of conscience and commitment in human rights seriously argue for the need to offer incentives to the terrible government in Sudan, despite the massive crimes being committed against its innocent civilians from Darfur to the South all these years?

Why do we only see offers of incentives instead of serious consequences to a government that has been continuously violating human rights and systematically eliminating an entire ethnic community from their land? Why must the people of Darfur have to wait until the end of the year again over and over to implement such empty promises of action against human rights violators?

When will it be “Enough” of the denial of human rights, justice, freedom, and lasting peace for the victims of Darfur for the Enough Project’s John Prendergast and George Clooney? How much longer must the world continue to appease the genocidal regime of Khartoum and give them time and promotions to continue to strengthen their ability to stay in power to humiliate our people forever? It is unbelievable to hear such recommendations from influential activists and actors, who have visited Darfur refugees a couple of times in Chad or Darfur and who have gained all the respect from all of us for their dedication to fight against those obsessed persistent criminals of our time.

They suggest unbearable ideas to push the U.S. government to move towards normalizing relations with the indicted criminals in Sudan in exchange for peace in Darfur and South Sudan. They further call for the suspension of “the war crimes indictment of President Al-Bashir under Article 16 of the ICC-the International Criminal Court charter.” Do such activists believe that after all the destruction and obstruction by such architects of genocide that the world should simply ignore Mr. Al-Bashir’s crimes? Should such an indictment be dismissed against Al-Bashir because he is a “peace-maker?”

Mr. Clooney and Prendergast, this will never happen on our watch. We can’t let criminals who killed millions in Darfur and South and all Sudan to walk away free of charges. That would be a terrible, intolerable mistake that ever the history could forgive. It is our responsibility as civilized people and democratic nations of conscience, transparency, and moral integrity to be honest and do the right thing to bring those killers to justice. We cannot have any lasting peace without such justice.

We must not succumb to the fear of the catastrophic war that Al-Bashir would carry out against South if it is separated because of oil. It is better for you to work to separate Al-Bashir and his terrorist government instead of flattering him as the only one who can bring peace, referendum, and freedom. Al-Bashir and his National Congress Party (NCP) are the ultimate disaster for the Sudanese people and are the real threats to Sudan’s survival and the whole region’s well being.

The U.S. and the whole world will never end this growing problem by only supporting “peace” and ignoring justice. No good outcome will ever come without supporting the ICC first and foremost to do its work by arresting Omar Al-Bashir and his counterparts Ahmad Haroun, Salih Kusheeb and the other suspects to send them to the “Hague” headquarters of the ICC to be charged.

We say to activists that the rhetoric of appeasement for “peace” will only continue to hurt Darfuri refugees and prolong their endless sufferings. Don’t do this to those trusted you and welcomed you with cheers and smiles during your visit to their makeshift camps in that remote area of the world.

We understand all the challenges that this country is going through. But still America is the greatest nation in the world and is capable of leading the rest of the nations of conscience to fulfill the promises of change for a better and peaceful world that everyone can enjoy without fear.

We recognize the continued need for compassionate nations and people to seek mercy in the sake of peace. But compassionate nations don’t look the other way at genocide. Compassionate nations don’t abandon helpless victims and embrace cruel dictators. Compassionate nations must not abandon criminal law, justice, and human rights necessary for the consistent application of law for peace. They must show the world that crimes against humanity have consequences.

For too many years, the nations of the world have shown tolerance and silence to the war criminal Al-Bashir. It is past time for the nations of the world to begin to show mercy towards Al-Bashir’s many victims and demonstrate enough compassion to care for justice for Al-Bashir’s victims and to tell Al-Bashir and other war criminals “Never Again.”

If the compassionate people and nations of the world fail to seek justice, dignity, and human rights in Darfur, what message will this send to those who seek to oppress others and rob them of their human rights around the world? If we suspend the ICC indictment against Al-Bashir, why bother to have international law and a standard of human rights that rejects genocide and war crimes?

Mr. Prendergast and Mr. Clooney are concerned about a “slow-motion war.” Who will be concerned about the “slow-motion” denial of human rights, dignity, and justice for the people of Darfur and Sudan?

Sudan: Representatives Advise UN Security Council, Violence and Genocide Continues

CNN – “Sudan: Special reps brief U.N. Security Council on Sudan”
— CNN reports: “U.N.-AU Representative Gambari explained that parts of Darfur remained ‘tense and volatile,’ with 447 deaths reported in May alone. He told Council members that this recent upsurge in violence has created ‘very serious hindrances to the effective implementation’ of his protection mandate, as well as to humanitarian assistance efforts for ‘those in dire need of such support.'”
— “The Oxfam International aid organization released a statement coinciding with the Security Council meeting, saying that international attention has shifted away from Sudan and the Darfur conflict ‘at a time when it is desperately needed.'”
— U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice states: “With respect to elections, let me reiterate that the April elections were characterized by serious irregularities.” “She explained how ‘the international community stands ready to provide diplomatic and technical support,’ but only if there are sincere efforts to address the serious and difficult issues facing the country.”
— “Monday’s meeting followed a Security Council update Friday from International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, which Rice called ‘disturbing’ during her statements on Monday.”
— “Moreno-Ocampo told Council members that attacks against civilians persist, and ‘the crime of extermination against millions of displaced into camps continues.’ He called on the U.N. to produce an updated comprehensive report on the situation in camps and villages ‘to allow the international community to consider the current extent of the suffering of civilians.'”
— “The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Sudan’s sitting President, Omar al-Bashir in March 2009 for various war crimes, including ‘extermination.'”
— “‘The crime of extermination does not require killing by bullets,’ Moreno-Ocampo told the Security Council. He said ‘the deprivation of access to food and medicine, calculated to bring about the destruction of part of a population’ also applies.”
— “Although the US is not a member of the Court, Rice said Monday that ‘the United States strongly supports international efforts to bring those responsible for genocide and war crimes in Darfur to justice.'”