Protect the People of Darfur

UN Peacekeepers Now

17 September 2006

Despite the signing of a Darfur peace agreement on 5 May 2006, the violence in western Sudan has continued to escalate. While attention on Darfur is waning, people are still being killed, raped and displaced from their homes everyday.

Since 2003, Darfur in western Sudan has been embroiled in a deadly conflict. 85,000 civilians have been killed and more than 200,000 have died from war related causes. More than two million people have been displaced and live in displaced-persons camps in Sudan or in refugee camps in Chad; more than 3.5 million people are reliant on international aid for survival.

Governments have been quick to call for an end to the violence, but slow to act. UN resolutions have not been implemented and six rounds of peace talks over almost two years have failed to resolve the crisis.

With much international pressure, the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) was signed in May this year between the Government of Sudan and one faction of Darfuri rebels. However two other factions did not sign. The political and security situation in Darfur has become more complex since the signing of the DPA. There has been a marked escalation in clashes between the parties which signed the DPA and those who did not sign, and civilians have borne the brunt of such fighting.

This violence has made it dangerous, if not impossible, for most of the millions of displaced persons to return to their homes. Human rights violations, including sexual violence against women, continue unabated. Humanitarian aid agencies face growing obstacles to the provision of essential relief supplies and support. In July this year 8 aid workers were killed, while many others were forced from the region by the turmoil. Amnesty International and other international human rights organisations cannot get access to Darfur.

A new approach is needed - one that involves a strong, well-equipped UN peacekeeping force to supplement the African Union troops already in Darfur.

On 17 September 2006, thousands of Amnesty members, along with other activist groups around the world will take part in the Global Day for Darfur, led by a large partnership of organizations, including Aegis, Crisis Action, Human Rights First, the International Crisis Group and the Save Darfur Coalition. Join us in this global show of support for the Darfuri people, and help us put urgent and much needed pressure on governments and the UN to protect civilians.

Join us

All are welcome to join us on Sunday 17 September 2006 as we call for the immediate deployment of a strong UN peacekeeping force to protect civilians in Darfur.

Contact your local Amnesty International office and visit www.dayfordarfur.orgfor more information on events planned in major cities around the world. If there is no planned event in your town or city, we urge you to organise your own.

For the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force, we need to pressure the following key governments who are members of the UN Security Council: China, Russia, UK, USA, France, Congo (Brazzaville), Ghana, Tanzania and Qatar. If you live in one of these countries, join or organise a demonstration outside a significant government building, such as parliament, or another appropriate location where the government will notice your presence.

In all other countries, your demonstration should take place outside one or more of the embassies of the countries listed above, especially those with stronger links to your country.

Wear a blue hat

When UN peacekeeping forces enter a region, they are recognized by the blue berets and helmets they wear. Wear a blue hat to symbolize the urgent need to protect the people of Darfur with UN peacekeeping forces.

1. You could also wear blue headbands or wristbands. Use the colour blue throughout your event.

2. Display the words Protect the People of Darfur - UN Peacekeepers Now as largely as possible in your demonstration. Create a banner to state your message. If you cannot get one printed, paint your message on a large sheet, or make cardboard placards.

Other suggestions for your demonstration:

3. Invite government officials, celebrities, religious and community leaders, Sudanese communities, other organizations and journalists. You can contact your national Amnesty office for assistance with media work.

4. You may want to read a short testimony of victims of human rights violations in Darfur at your demonstration. Materials and items for distribution at your event can be found at www.amnesty.org/sudan.

Please send photos and feedback of your event, and direct any queries to dscott@amnesty.org.

To stay involved in Amnesty International’s work on Darfur after this event, please visit www.amnesty.org/sudan.

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