Take action for justice in Darfur

The genocide continues in Darfur, in western Sudan. According to Amnesty International (AI), "The conflict in Darfur has led to some of the worst human rights abuses imaginable, including systematic and widespread murder, rape, abduction and displacement. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been killed by both deliberate and indiscriminate attacks, and over 2.5 million civilians have been displaced."

When a similar ethnic cleansing took place in Rwanda in the 1990s, we said, "Never again." But guess what. It's been happening again, and not enough is being done to stop the violence.

This week, Amnesty International issued the following call to action. Please click one of the links below to call on the United Nations Security Council to ensure that two major war crime suspects in the Darfur crisis are brought to justice.

-----

What kind of people have freedom in Darfur?

Those who commit 92 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes including:

- Murder
- Persecution
- Forcibly removing civilians from their property
- Rape

Why should millions of Darfuri lives hang in the balance when the actions of alleged criminals are not even put on hold? Bring war crimes suspects to justice now!

In April 2007, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against Ahmad Harun and Ali Kushayb for their involvement in attacks on four West Darfur towns which resulted in the deaths of some 1000 people. To this day, both suspects remain free. The indictment against Harun, the current State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, is a monumental step as it marks the first time the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for a sitting government official. However, as the instability in the region mounts, the government of Sudan continues to disregard international law by shielding the two suspects from prosecution.

Darfur has become a lawless land where the innocent live in fear and criminals roam free. Civilians have not felt safe to move freely in Darfur in over four years. Meanwhile suspected war criminals not only remain free, but in the case of Ahmad Harun, are actually rewarded with new government posts.

Call on the UN Security Council to ensure that these suspects are brought to justice. Next month, the ICC's Prosecutor will report his findings regarding the situation in Darfur to the UN Security Council. Ensure that the UNSC condemns Sudan's refusal to arrest and surrender Harun and Kushayb.

Before human rights can be ensured in Darfur, justice must be enforced.