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Dear supporters,
July 12th marks the anniversary of al-Bashir’s indictment for the crimes of genocide. July 17th marks International Day of Justice. During this time we need to mobilize around the globe. We must demand effective action from the international community to bring al-Bashir and other officials wanted for crimes committed in Darfur to justice.
We must Stand With Darfur
We must always support the Sudanese who are still fighting for freedom and justice. We demand that our elected officials and international diplomats take immediate and effective action to end criminal impunity and promote civilian protection. In the face of genocide, our leaders must not look the other way.
Moving forward, we will continue to educate you and share with you stories from the people of Darfur. We will continue our outreach to policymakers and demand action. We will urge them to support meaningful foreign policy solutions by the US and the international community. We aim for the United States to continue to pursue targeted sanctions on the state sponsors of terror list. We will be pressuring the UN Security Council to deploy a strong peacekeeping mission with the appropriate powers to protect civilians from violence and instability. We will implore the Sudanese government to immediately extradite wanted officials, including al-Bashir, himself to the International Criminal Court to face trials. Together we will organize publicly to advocate for Sudanese.
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What it means to “Stand With Darfur”:
The Transitional Military Council (TMC) seized power from civilians when al-Bashir fell. Its notorious Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to threaten civilian safety to this day. On August 20th, 2019, the TMC evolved into the sovereignty council of Sudan (SC) under a direct constitutional declaration. This agreement only strengthens the SC even though some of the current leaders are responsible for carrying out Bashir’s genocide in Darfur. The oppression and violation of the rights of the Sudanese have been going on for far too long. Without accountability, one message is clear to the oppressor: it is possible to get away with murder. We must speak up and demand the perpetrators of genocide be held accountable.
In 2002, Al-Bashir began a genocide that resulted in the deaths of at least 300,000 indigenous Africans in Darfur and the burning of 500 villages. He never stopped. For 18 years, the people of Darfur have been forced to endure endless violence. Over 4.7 million people have been impacted by the Darfur genocide. Three million remain in camps in Sudan and neighboring countries where they are still being subjected to RSF attacks and other instances of violence.
The crisis has only continued to escalate in recent years. In 2016, 171 villages in the Jebel Marra were destroyed with chemical weapons used against civilians. In 2018, UNAMID documented 192 victims of sexual and gender-based violence. In 2019, at least 45 villages were burned in Darfur alongside numerous massacres of civilians who have not seen justice still to this day. These horrifying trends have continued in 2020, with the Sudanese government and international community yet to provide an adequate solution for those who have suffered the most in Darfur. So far, no justice has been delivered to the victims and survivors of Darfur.
Over a decade of impunity
In March 2005, the UN Security Council unanimously referred the case of Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The case of Darfur is the first time the Court rendered the charge of genocide – the most heinous crime under its jurisdiction. The ICC issued the first arrest warrant for al-Bashir on March 4, 2009. The second arrest warrant was issued on July 12, 2010. Arrest warrants for Several of Bashir’s cronies – Ahmad Muhammad Harun, Abdel Raheem Muhammed Hussein, and Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (also known as Ali Kushayb) – were issued around the same time period.
Al-Bashir is wanted for five counts of crimes against humanity, two counts of war crimes, and three counts of genocide. Yet he, and many others wanted for crimes in Darfur, have not yet been extradited for trial.
The Sudanese have courageously risen up against al-Bashir and his violent regime. They continue to show the world that they are ready to pay the highest price for a change in their homeland. They came very close to achieve change when they ousted al-Bashir, but there is still much to be done. Change cannot come without reconciling with the past. For this, it is absolutely mandatory that al-Bashir and his conspirators be tried for the genocide in Darfur. Without accountability, there can be no justice. Without accountability, the violence in Sudan and Darfur will only continue.
This is why we appeal to you to stand with us – to defend the rights of the people of Darfur.
To “Stand With Darfur” means to support the people of Darfur in their quest for Freedom, Peace, and, most importantly, Justice.
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Who is Wanted for Crimes in Darfur?
Omar Al Bashir, former president of Sudan
First arrest warrant issued 4 March 2009, Second arrest warrant issued 12 July 2010
WANTED FOR: 5 counts of crimes against humanity, two counts of war crimes, three counts of genocide
Bashir remains held in custody in Sudan with discussions of an ICC trial ongoing.
Ahmad Muhammad Harun (Ahmed Harun) and Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (Ali Kushayb)
Arrest warrants issued 27 April 2007
Ahmed Harun was Minister of State for the Interior, ran the “Darfur Security Desk” and coordinated the entities involved in Darfur (police, armed forces, national security and intelligence service, and Janjaweed)
WANTED FOR: 20 counts of crimes against humanity, 22 counts of war crimes
Harun has been held in custody in Sudan and, likewise, with discussions of an ICC trial ongoing.
Ali Kushayb was the leader of the Janjaweed, implemented government counter-insurgency
WANTED FOR: 22 counts of crimes against humanity and 28 counts of war crimes
Ali Kushayb surrendered himself to UN peacekeeping forces in the Central African Republic in June 2020. He was arrested and taken into the custody of the International Criminal Court.
Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein (Hussein)
Arrest warrant issued 1 March 2012
Hussein was Minister of National Defense and the former Minister of the Interior and Special Representative of the President in Darfur. He coordinated national, state and local security entities through the recruitment, arming, and funding of forces.
WANTED FOR: 7 counts of crimes against humanity, 6 counts of war crimes
Hussein has been held in custody in Sudan and, likewise, with discussions of an ICC trial ongoing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7053″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_single_image image=”7055″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_single_image image=”7065″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_single_image image=”7060″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]
What you can do to help our campaign succeed:
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If you are US-based: Send our letter to your representative in Congress and your senators (US-based).
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If you are US-based: Send our letter to the top Trump administration leaders.
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An NGOs Sign-on Letter to the UNSC members
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If you are EU or Canada-based: Send our letter to the Parliamentarians for EU and Canada.
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Post our letter to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and tag your policymakers, asking for their help.
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Here is a sample post you can copy and paste onto your social media page:
(Twitter or Facebook handle of policy-maker), please read the letter below and work in solidarity with
world policymakers to #StandWithSudan.
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