09 Dec 06 – Statement by Dr James Smith, Chief Executive of the Aegis Trust, in response to the Prime Minister’s statement on Darfur today. See also his comment piece in The Times. The Sudanese Government and the rebel movements ‘will be judged on the basis of actions, not just words’, the Prime Minister says in his statement on Darfur today. That applies to Britain and the International Community too – so merely hinting at possible sanctions against Khartoum ‘if rapid progress is not made’ shows that he still has no new plans for action, just more words. Blair notes it is fitting that the day of action for Darfur (Sunday 10 December) comes on International Human Rights Day. Even more fitting, perhaps, to remember that today is the anniversary of the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. Almost four years in there is no prevention – and as for punishment, despite the efforts of the International Criminal Court, the British Government is allowing total impunity. Instead of taking the recommendations of UN experts and applying sanctions to Salah Gosh, Sudan’s head of national security and intelligence, Mr Blair’s administration has knowingly let him come to the UK for medical treatment twice this year. “What’s needed now goes well beyond sanctions” Khartoum has proved by its actions that calls for it to ‘move forward quickly to implement an immediate ceasefire, commit to a political process, and agree an effective peacekeeping force for Darfur’ is a waste of breath. We’ve been doing that for over three years. It’s way past time to change tack. What’s needed now goes well beyond mere sanctions against the architects of ethnic cleansing in Darfur, though it’s a disgrace that only now are these being hinted at. The world has been misled to believe that the Sudanese Government has agreed to allow UN peacekeepers to operate alongside African Union troops in Darfur, when no such agreement has been made. The best we can hope from the negotiations in Abuja is technical support for AU forces from the UN. Mr Blair should be straining every sinew to immediately secure a strong UN peacekeeping force for neighbouring Chad, which called for such a force in May and was ignored by the international community. Now it risks being plunged into the chaos already experienced in neighbouring Darfur. Aircraft left to attack civilians with impunity The Prime Minister should also be leading the way on implementation of the UN-authorised No-Fly Zone over Darfur, urging our American and French allies to apply the resources they already have in the region, and offering British support. Instead, helicopter gunships and Antonov bombers, used day in and day out to target civilians, are left to operate with impunity. Less that two weeks ago, Osman Ishak (not his real name) reported to Aegis the destruction of over 100 villages in his home area in South Darfur during the past three months. And he gave this message for the British Prime Minister: “You have got a democratic country and enough power. What is happening is terrible. We need action as soon as possible. People are very tired, physically and mentally. We are in the news sometimes, and people talk about us, but there is no action. No one comes, and the situation is getting worse and worse and worse. Please, please, come and help us.” It’s time for action, Mr Blair. The text of Mr Blair’s statement is as follows: “The terrible suffering of the Darfur people has gone on for far too long. The situation there is totally unacceptable: two million people remain in camps and as many as four million are in need of food aid. Continued attacks from both the Government of Sudan and the rebel movements are prolonging this terrible crisis. “This day of action for Darfur demonstrates once again the strength of feeling across the world that the violence must come to an immediate end. It is particularly fitting that it comes as it does on International Human Rights Day. Appalling human rights violations have been committed and continue in Darfur. Women and young girls have been amongst the worst affected, suffering rape and sexual violence on a regular basis. “The UK remains at the forefront of efforts by the international community to help find a solution to this crisis. Recent meetings in Addis Ababa and Abuja have mapped out a way forward. But both the Government and the rebel movements should be clear that they will be judged on the basis of actions, not just words. They must move forward quickly to implement an immediate and strengthened ceasefire, commit to a political process, and agree an effective peacekeeping force for Darfur. “Sudan will remain at the top of my agenda. The international community will be watching closely. The UK will continue to support the process agreed in Addis Ababa and Abuja. But if rapid progress is not made, we will need to consider alternative approaches, with international partners. The Government of Sudan must prove it is taking its responsibilities seriously.”
