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After six years of destruction and violence in Darfur, on March 4, 2009, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes. This action should make it much harder for Sudan's allies in the U.N. Security Council, as well as other leaders of Sudan's National Congress Party, to continue their support for a wanted war criminal. In response to the arrest warrant, President Bashir revoked the licenses of 13 aid organizations operating in Darfur.
The expulsion of humanitarian aid agencies has left about 1.1 million civilians without food aid, 1.5 million without emergency health care and over a million without potable water - threatening starvation and disease on a massive scale. These aid organizations are the last remaining lifeline for 4.7 million Darfuris. In addition, on March 18, U.S. President Obama appointed retired Air Force Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration as special envoy to Sudan. Gration, former director of strategy, policy and assessments for U.S. European Command, visited refugee camps in eastern Chad with then-Senator Obama during his 2006 trip to Africa.
General Gration will need to hit the ground running and spearhead an urgent and sustained diplomatic push involving China and key African and Arab countries to establish unimpeded humanitarian access, hold President Bashir accountable for meeting Sudan's obligation under international law to protect the lives of Sudanese civilians and move toward lasting peace. Presidential engagement and U.S. leadership are more vital than ever," said Jerry Fowler, president of the Save Darfur Coalition, of which Humanity Working to End Genocide, our local coalition of organizations is a member.
"I don't see genocide and the abuse and atrocities of human life going away - with sovereignty and land becoming more precious with time, despots and tyrants will continue their cruel and hateful regimes. It is up to every human being, not just governments, to safeguard all human life and dignity. We MUST always be vigilant wherever we see any ethnic, religious, or any other group being abused; we MUST focus our attention on those groups and make governments and communities aware; we MUST rally support to bring those responsible for their crimes against humanity to justice; we MUST get involved. Join groups in your community who are actively doing something about it - we are all one human family," said Robert Blinch-Edwards, president of Humanity Working to End Genocide Humanity Working to End Genocide, a local coalition of over 55 faith based, civic, business and other organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties..
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