Bush's sanctions on Sudan: We need to do more - and you can help

We learned earlier this week that Bush is going to impose some new sanctions on Sudan to increase the pressure for an end to the ongoing violence in the Darfur region.

I hope this will help, and I hope that none of the civilians who are already suffering there will end up suffering more due to the sanctions.

But Bush's sanctions are not enough. We need to do more to address the crisis in Darfur.

Since the Darfur conflict erupted in February of 2003, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been killed, and over 2 million civilians have been displaced, by the government-backed Janjawid militia. Many have fled to refugee camps in neighboring Chad, and the situation there is horrific as well. It will take more than Bush's sanctions to end the violence.

Below are links to some actions that you can take on the Amnesty International USA website to address various aspects of the problem. With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can help to put an end to the crisis in Darfur.

• Urge China to Protect Civilians in Darfur
As 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 Senators and Representative to urge China to protect civilians in Darfur.

• Call on Russia to guarantee security in Darfur and eastern Chad
Darfur and eastern Chad are in urgent need of effective peacekeeping forces to provide security and enforce the arms embargo on Darfur. Call on Russia to take steps to support the deployment of these peacekeepers in Darfur and to work with other countries on the Security Council to strengthen and enforce the arms embargo.

• Halt the death sentence imposed on Darfuri minors
Abdelrhman Zakaria Mohamed and Ahmed Abdullah Suleiman, both aged 16, were sentenced to death by the Criminal Court in Nyala, South Darfur, on May 3rd. Urge Sudan’s Minister of Justice to uphold their right to protection from the death penalty, as recognized by the Geneva Conventions, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

• Urge Chad to accept peacekeepers to protect civilians
Thousands of women and girls have been raped, child soldiers have been recruited, whole villages looted and destroyed, and an estimated 120,000 people have been forced from their homes in eastern Chad, some of whom have been desperate enough to escape into Darfur. Urge Chad to accept peacekeepers to protect displaced civilians in Chad.

• Call on your Senators to Urge China to Support Human Rights in Darfur
Recognizing China’s unique relationship with Sudan, Senate Resolution 203 has been introduced to urge China to take full advantage of its influence to press the Government of Sudan to end atrocities and protect civilians in Darfur. Call on your Senators to co-sponsor S.Res.203 and increase the pressure on China to do its part to protect the people of Darfur.

• Urge Your Elected Officials to fund AU and UN Peacekeepers in Darfur
A robust peacekeeping force is urgently needed to bring security to the people of Darfur and neighboring eastern Chad. The African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) has been providing the only barrier between Darfuri civilians and warring parties, but with only 7,000 troops, AMIS has been unable to provide adequate protection to civilians or humanitarian workers.

• Ensure Justice for the People of Darfur
Despite international outrage over the human rights crisis in Darfur, not a single perpetrator of war crimes or crimes against humanity has been brought to justice. Send two crucial messages to Secretary of State Rice and your Members of Congress today: Strengthen the U.S. government’s relationship with the ICC, and keep the pressure on Sudan's government to cooperate with the ICC investigation.

For news, background, and other information regarding Amnesty International's human rights concerns in Darfur, click here.

Thank you for taking the time to act for the innocent victims in Darfur.