Protect Darfur

Here's an excellent report of yesterday's excellent demo calling on

the Government to end the inaction and meet its promise to protect groups vulnerable to genocide.
Survivors from the Holocaust, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur will present a detailed dossier to 10 Downing St setting out the need for the British Government to table a UN resolution giving the AU mission in Darfur the authority it needs to protect the African population from genocide.

The rally coincides with similar action in France, where a group of organisations known as the 'Collectif Urgence Darfour' will hold the first ever Paris demonstration about the crisis.

Funeral Hearse

A coffin, symbolising the loss of the Black Africans being murdered in Darfur's genocide at the rate of one every three minutes, will be taken by hearse to Downing Street.

Aid is not enough

400,000 black Africans have been murdered in Darfur in the last two years, with 500 more being killed every day - simply because of who they are. The genocide is being carried out by Arab militias known as the 'Janjaweed', supported by Sudanese Government forces. African Union troops are on the ground, but Britain is doing nothing to secure the UN mandate they need to protect the population effectively.

"Right at the start of its third term, we want to highlight to the Government that aid for Darfur is not enough. Securing a UN mandate for protection of people facing genocide in Darfur has to be a priority," says Dr James Smith, Chief Executive of the Aegis Trust, which coordinates the Protect Darfur campaign.

Government promise to protect

"Signing the Stockholm Declaration on genocide prevention last year, Britain pledged to protect 'groups identified as potential victims of genocide, mass murder or ethnic cleansing.' We are asking the Government to honour that promise.

Lessons from the Holocaust

"We will also be there to show solidarity with Darfur's survivors. When genocide happens, we cannot leave its victims to protest their fate alone - unless we have learned nothing from the Holocaust, Bosnia, Armenia and Rwanda. We urge anyone who cares about humanity to join us. If you want 'Never Again' to mean something, it's time to stand up and be counted."

(Thanks: Harry's Place)