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Welcome Back!!!
Read below to learn about upcoming events in DC, an op/ed contest, 2 internship opportunties and learn about what's been happening with Darfur on the Hill.
STAND General Body meeting Tuesday Jan 23 9-10 pm
Marvin Center room 310
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Be a part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Day celebration. Dr. King reminded us that an injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere.
STAND with the Darfur Interfaith Network on Monday, January 15, from 12:00 noon to 1:00
LOCATION: Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan
2210 Massachusetts Ave. NW,
Washington, DC
Three blocks from the DuPont Circle Metro
Protest the murder, rape, torture, and displacement of non-combatant civilians in Darfur.
Please, bring friends, families, and even strangers.
LOCATION: Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan
2210 Massachusetts Ave. NW,
Washington, DC
Three blocks from the DuPont Circle Metro
Protest the murder, rape, torture, and displacement of non-combatant civilians in Darfur.
Please, bring friends, families, and even strangers.
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_____________________________________________________________________________________________Negotiating Peace in Darfur
Jan 25 2007 - 10:00am
- Kenney Auditorium, Johns Hopkins University SAIS
- 1740 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
- Washington, DC
- 1740 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Please join SID-Washington for January's Chapter Event: a discussion with Andrew Natsios, President's Special Envoy for Sudan and Professor at Georgetown University, on the United States' and international community's response to the deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
* Please note: this event is off the record, not for attribution.
The 2006 – 2007 Darfur Op-Ed Writing Contest
For nearly two years students have spoken out and played a key role in the movement to end genocide in Darfur, but the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. What can students do to stop the genocide?
The Committee on Conscience is asking high school and university students to write an op-ed article responding to the question above. Publish your piece in your school or local newspaper and enter it in the contest.
Have your op-ed judged by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof; Illinois Senator, Barack Obama; and former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright .
Win a trip to Washington, D.C., where you will have the opportunity to tour the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and attend the Days of Remembrance Ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.
To learn more, visit www.committeeonconscience.org/darfur-contest.
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Internships with the Committee on Conscience
If you are planning to be in Washington, D.C. this summer, please consider applying for an internship with the Committee on Conscience. The deadline is March 17, 2007.
Learn more and apply >>
Internships with the Genocide Intervention Network
The Genocide Intervention Network has begun accepting applications for its spring internships.
Learn more and apply >>
A blog on contemporary genocide and crimes against humanity by the Student Board on Genocide Prevention of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. What is happening in Darfur today? What can you do on your campus to bring an end to the genocide in Darfur? Check in as we discuss these issues as well as other regions of conflict, providing up to date news and analysis on areas such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chechnya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic.
Voices on Genocide Prevention: A blog and podcast from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
"In most cases, you see the influence, how people outside of the country could help, and that for me is something that we have to learn; how international community—you never could replace the need for local leaders, the need for national leaders—but sometimes you can help to change the dynamic and to promote the international justice system." – Luis Moreno-Ocampo
Listen to or read the Full Interview
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Darfur Legislative Update
January 11, 2007
1) 110th Congress Convenes
2) Status of UN-AU Hybrid Peacekeeping Mission
3) Joint Statement of Gov. Richardson, President Bashir on Cease-fire in Darfur
1) 110th Congress Convenes
The 110th Congress convened last week, and policymakers are settling in and getting to work in the new year. Senator Byrd (WV), new chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Obey (WI), new chair of the House Appropriations Committee, indicated last year that they intend to pass a long-term continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government until the end of FY 2007, rather than complete the remaining nine FY 2007 appropriations bills. The current CR runs through February 15; it is not yet clear when Congress will vote on the expected long-term CR. President Bush is expected to submit his FY 2008 budget request and a n FY 2007 supplemental spending request for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in early February.
As the 110th Congress gets underway, it will be crucial to continue urging members of Congress to find a way to provide adequate funding for AU peacekeepers this year , and to ask them to ensure the funding can also be used for a UN-AU hybrid peacekeeping mission. In addition, as the UN, the AU, U.S. Special Envoy Andrew Natsios, and other international actors continue political negotiations with all parties to the conflict in Sudan, it will be important for a members of Congress to continue to call for ongoing high level U.S. engagement in a sustainable peace process in Darfur and a comprehensive peace in all of Sudan.
On January 4 Rep. Lee (CA) introduced H. Con. Res. 7, which urges the Arab League to declare the situation in Darfur a genocide; to pass a resolution supporting UN peacekeepers in Darfur; and to work with the UN, the AU, and U.S. Presidential Special Envoy Andrew Natsios to bring about lasting peace and stability in Darfur and along the Chadian border. The resolution (text attached) has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and currently does not have any cosponsors.
2) Status of UN-AU Hybrid Peacekeeping Mission
In late December, then-Secretary General Kofi Annan cautiously stated that the government of Sudan had agreed to a proposed three-phased plan for a UN-AU hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (see http://www.sudantribune.com/IMG/pdf/Sudan_UN-AU_force_agreement.pdf for the text of a letter from Sudan's President Bashir to Kofi Annan). Since then, implementation of phase one, a UN light support package, is currently underway, and phase two, a UN heavy support package, is being negotiated. However, while accepting the UN technical assistance packages, recent statements of President Bashir have again shown resistance to the deployment of UN peacekeeping troops in Darfur. UN Special Envoy for Darfur Jan Eliasson said today that the government of Sudan acknowledges there is no military solution to the conflict in Darfur, but did not elaborate on the government of Sudan's position on accepting a joint UN-AU peacekeeping operation. For more details see the article pasted at the end of this email.
3) Joint Statement of Gov. Richardson, President Bashir on Cease-fire in Darfur
Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, accompanied by a delegation including members of the Save Darfur Coalition and Refugees International President Ken Bacon, recently traveled to Sudan to meet with high level Sudanese officials, including President Bashir, concerning the ongoing violence in Darfur. In a joint-statement released yesterday, Gov. Richardson and President Bashir announced an agreement to a 60-day cessation of hostilities, as well as increased AU-UN diplomatic efforts to bring non-signatories of the DPA into negotiations, a UN/AU-sponsored peace summit no later than March 15, 2007, and expanded humanitarian access in Darfur. The full statement is pasted below. The U.S. State Department said that before traveling to Sudan, Gov. Richardson conferred with U.S. Special Envoy Andrew Natsios, and that the administration supported Richardson's efforts. Natsios has been in China since January 8 meeting with senior Chinese officials regarding the conflict in Darfur. He will return on January 12.
**The Darfur Legislative Update provides information on the efforts of various groups to serve the broad legislative advocacy community working on Darfur related issues. All information included does not necessarily reflect the views of the Friends Committee on National Legislation ( FCNL).**
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Joint Press Statement on the conclusion of the visit by Governor Bill Richardson to the Sudan
01/10/2007
01/10/2007
H.E Bill Richardson Governor of New Mexico accompanied by a delegation sponsored by and including members of the Save Darfur Coalition, the leading United States-based Darfur peace advocacy organization, conducted a visit to Sudan to discuss ways to secure peace in the Darfur region of Sudan and the protection of all civilians and other non-combatants. The Governor and the delegation visited EI Fasher and Nyala in Darfur, for meetings with internally displaced persons in Darfur, rebel groups that are signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) as well as those which are not as of yet, international agencies, the United Nations, and humanitarian aid organizations as well as the Wali of North Darfur and the Deputy Wali of Southern Darfur States and held meetings in Khartoum with H.E President Omer Hassan Al Bashir, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr. Ali Ahmed Karti and a number of high ranking Sudanese officials.
Both sides agreed that ending the conflict in Darfur is Sudan's and the international community�s highest priority. Peace, they agreed, can only come through a political settlement that is joined in by and addresses the needs of all parties, on the basis of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) of 5 May 2006 reiterating their support for preserving Sudan's territorial integrity and the importance of respect for Sudan's sovereignty.
Both sides agreed that there was a compelling need for a comprehensive cease-fire to launch a political process based on the DPA that would lead to a durable end to the conflict as soon as possible. Both agreed to a 60-day cessation of hostilities by all parties within the framework of the DPA, accompanied by a start in African Union/United Nations diplomatic efforts, within the framework of the DPA, to begin narrowing the gaps between the non-signatories, including government approval of a field commanders' conference attended by the African Union and United Nations. This would be followed at the appropriate moment by an African Union/United Nations � sponsored peace summit, again in the framework of the DPA, no later than 15 March 2007. Simultaneously, both agreed that the UN needed to expedite as quickly as possible the provision of UN personnel agreed in Addis Ababa and further specified in Abuja in November 2006. President Bashir re-affirmed his commitment to continue to facilitate the deployment of UN personnel and equipment consistent with his agreement with the Secretary General of the UN on Phases II and III, including the eventual conclusions of the Tripartite Committee as stipulated in the DPA.
The two sides noted that Governor Richardson had secured a commitment from commanders of the Justice and Equality Movement and of the Non-Signatory Front to participate in a process including a 60-day cease-fire agreement within the framework of the DPA. Governor Richardson and Save Darfur Coalition expressed their grave concern to all parties with whom they met about continuing and increasing attacks on civilians and other non-combatants.
They reiterated that gender-based violence and such crimes must be condemned and prosecuted regardless of which party or organization was responsible, noting that Governor Richardson and the Save Darfur Coalition emphasized the need in all their meetings for implementing mechanisms to ensure that "zero tolerance" policies towards gender-based violence be applied in practice, quickly and robustly. Governor Richardson noted with appreciation President Bashir's commitment to welcome a significant contribution of female members to the AU/UN hybrid operations. Both sides expressed their grave concern at allegations of gender�based violence by United Nations personnel in South Sudan.
Governor Richardson and the delegation also met with the Under-Secretary of Justice, the Rapporteur of the Advisory Council for Human Rights and Dr. Attigatt who presented a briefing on Sudanese Government efforts to institutionalize protections for women. The Governor and the delegation accepted the offer to work with the Ministry to analyze and extend existing efforts to support Sudanese women against all gender-based violence.
President Bashir and Governor Richardson also agreed that more light needs to be shed on the full situation in Darfur. President Bashir agreed to allow and facilitate travel by journalists from all over the world to Darfur.
The two sides underscored the need to disarm all armed groups, including the Janjaweed, pursuant to the provision of the DPA, and further agreed not to have the National military aircraft painted in white markings normally reserved for international organizations.
President Bashir agreed that government forces would attempt to improve security conditions in all areas of Darfur with special emphasis on El Geneina, and would provide protection to food and other humanitarian convoys. They also agreed that humanitarian aid agencies have greatly assisted the Government and people of Sudan by providing much needed emergency and development aid in Darfur and other parts of Sudan. President Bashir agreed to expedite procedures for entry visas for all humanitarian aid workers as well as goods. He also agreed to terminate the requirement of exit visas for humanitarian aid workers. President Bashir noted with satisfaction the strong statements by the Save Darfur Coalition to rebel commanders condemning attacks by their members on humanitarian aid operations and agreed to initiate an ongoing dialogue with the Save Darfur Coalition aimed at ending the violence in Darfur and on achieving a political solution to the crises.
The two sides agreed to apprise African Union Special Envoy Salim Ahmed Salim and United Nations Special Envoy Jan Eliasson of these developments, so that the African Union and United Nations will facilitate the commanders� meeting and launch the political discussion and to maintain regular communication assessing progress on these important initiatives to identify areas of difficulty on which further engagement may be necessary to ensure rapid progress and durable outcomes.
Both sides agreed that an improvement of relations is in the mutual interest of both countries.
Both sides agreed that ending the conflict in Darfur is Sudan's and the international community�s highest priority. Peace, they agreed, can only come through a political settlement that is joined in by and addresses the needs of all parties, on the basis of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) of 5 May 2006 reiterating their support for preserving Sudan's territorial integrity and the importance of respect for Sudan's sovereignty.
Both sides agreed that there was a compelling need for a comprehensive cease-fire to launch a political process based on the DPA that would lead to a durable end to the conflict as soon as possible. Both agreed to a 60-day cessation of hostilities by all parties within the framework of the DPA, accompanied by a start in African Union/United Nations diplomatic efforts, within the framework of the DPA, to begin narrowing the gaps between the non-signatories, including government approval of a field commanders' conference attended by the African Union and United Nations. This would be followed at the appropriate moment by an African Union/United Nations � sponsored peace summit, again in the framework of the DPA, no later than 15 March 2007. Simultaneously, both agreed that the UN needed to expedite as quickly as possible the provision of UN personnel agreed in Addis Ababa and further specified in Abuja in November 2006. President Bashir re-affirmed his commitment to continue to facilitate the deployment of UN personnel and equipment consistent with his agreement with the Secretary General of the UN on Phases II and III, including the eventual conclusions of the Tripartite Committee as stipulated in the DPA.
The two sides noted that Governor Richardson had secured a commitment from commanders of the Justice and Equality Movement and of the Non-Signatory Front to participate in a process including a 60-day cease-fire agreement within the framework of the DPA. Governor Richardson and Save Darfur Coalition expressed their grave concern to all parties with whom they met about continuing and increasing attacks on civilians and other non-combatants.
They reiterated that gender-based violence and such crimes must be condemned and prosecuted regardless of which party or organization was responsible, noting that Governor Richardson and the Save Darfur Coalition emphasized the need in all their meetings for implementing mechanisms to ensure that "zero tolerance" policies towards gender-based violence be applied in practice, quickly and robustly. Governor Richardson noted with appreciation President Bashir's commitment to welcome a significant contribution of female members to the AU/UN hybrid operations. Both sides expressed their grave concern at allegations of gender�based violence by United Nations personnel in South Sudan.
Governor Richardson and the delegation also met with the Under-Secretary of Justice, the Rapporteur of the Advisory Council for Human Rights and Dr. Attigatt who presented a briefing on Sudanese Government efforts to institutionalize protections for women. The Governor and the delegation accepted the offer to work with the Ministry to analyze and extend existing efforts to support Sudanese women against all gender-based violence.
President Bashir and Governor Richardson also agreed that more light needs to be shed on the full situation in Darfur. President Bashir agreed to allow and facilitate travel by journalists from all over the world to Darfur.
The two sides underscored the need to disarm all armed groups, including the Janjaweed, pursuant to the provision of the DPA, and further agreed not to have the National military aircraft painted in white markings normally reserved for international organizations.
President Bashir agreed that government forces would attempt to improve security conditions in all areas of Darfur with special emphasis on El Geneina, and would provide protection to food and other humanitarian convoys. They also agreed that humanitarian aid agencies have greatly assisted the Government and people of Sudan by providing much needed emergency and development aid in Darfur and other parts of Sudan. President Bashir agreed to expedite procedures for entry visas for all humanitarian aid workers as well as goods. He also agreed to terminate the requirement of exit visas for humanitarian aid workers. President Bashir noted with satisfaction the strong statements by the Save Darfur Coalition to rebel commanders condemning attacks by their members on humanitarian aid operations and agreed to initiate an ongoing dialogue with the Save Darfur Coalition aimed at ending the violence in Darfur and on achieving a political solution to the crises.
The two sides agreed to apprise African Union Special Envoy Salim Ahmed Salim and United Nations Special Envoy Jan Eliasson of these developments, so that the African Union and United Nations will facilitate the commanders� meeting and launch the political discussion and to maintain regular communication assessing progress on these important initiatives to identify areas of difficulty on which further engagement may be necessary to ensure rapid progress and durable outcomes.
Both sides agreed that an improvement of relations is in the mutual interest of both countries.
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| Military solution no option in Darfur: U.N. envoy Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:30 PM ET |
By Opheera McDoom
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - The Sudanese government recognizes there is no military solution to the Darfur crisis, said a top U.N. envoy who called on Thursday for an immediate reduction in hostilities to facilitate the political process.
"I was told by practically everybody that there is no military solution ... that included President (Omar Hassan al-) Bashir," Jan Eliasson, the U.N. special envoy for Darfur, told reporters after meeting senior officials in Khartoum.
He said government officials specifically expressed a need for talks to begin with rebels who had not signed an African Union-mediated peace deal in May and had renewed hostilities with the government.
Fighting has escalated since May and aid agencies and experts say security in Darfur is rapidly deteriorating, putting many more civilians at risk and cutting off large parts of the region to relief workers.
On Wednesday U.S. Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, after a visit to Sudan, said he had secured a 60-day ceasefire between the government and the rebels who rejected the deal signed by only one rebel faction.
Sudan's Foreign Ministry issued a statement announcing its agreement to the 60-day ceasefire.
But Eliasson said it was not "completely clear" to what extent the rebels had agreed to the ceasefire.
The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), a small faction in the larger rebel alliance National Redemption Front (NRF), on Thursday said they had not agreed to such a truce.
"There is no ceasefire between us and the government," JEM spokesman Abu Bakr Hamid el-Nur told Reuters from Darfur.
Fighting erupted in February 2003 when rebels took up arms against the government accusing Khartoum of marginalizing Darfur. The government responded by arming militias to counter the rebellion.
Since then 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million have been forced from their homes.
Washington calls the rape, pillage and murder in Darfur genocide, a term Khartoum rejects. The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged war crimes in the region and the world's largest aid operation is working there.
Khartoum rejects a U.N. Security Council Resolution authorizing some 22,500 U.N. troops to take over from struggling African Union forces. Then-U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan suggested a hybrid force which Khartoum has also rejected.
But Sudan has agreed to allow technical U.N. support personnel to deploy to Darfur to help the AU, lessening the confrontation between the world body and Khartoum.
Eliasson declined to elaborate on the government position on accepting a joint U.N.-African Union force in Darfur. He instead emphasized that successful political negotiations needed to happen first.
"There has to be a peace to keep," he said.
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