Good News Tuesday: Zeinab Eyega - The Immigrant Advocate

President Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize this year. There is no question that America's standing in the world is better since Obama took over the presidency from George W. Bush. That being said ... the Obama administration has not been very visible in efforts to end the crisis in Darfur. That is one of the reasons that this blog continues to point out some powerful examples of people that are working hard to save Darfur.

Today we honor Zeinab Eyega, the founder of the Sauti Yetu Center for African Women. Born in southern Sudan, Zeinab has advocated for African women immigrants since she immigrated to the US herself. In 2008 alone, Sauti Yetu, a small organization, helped 165 women who spoke 57 African languages to successfully access and work with social services agencies in New York City. As a board member of the Save Darfur Coalition, Zeinab works to end the crisis in Darfur by organizing advocacy events and sharing her knowledge with others.

I encourage villagers to connect with a refugee assistance organization near your home or the Sudanese Diaspora group in your area. Don't see your city or state on the list? Connect with the Save Darfur Regional Organizer for your area.

What say u?

Refugees International Fights Sexual Violence in Sudan

Soulclap to Save Darfur for highling the work of Refugees International (RI). RI is known for their tireless advocacy on behalf of displaced people in crisis areas worldwide, and their incredible work to combat sexual violence in Sudan.

In 2007, RI released a report on how Sudanese law negatively affects rape survivors - detailing barriers to justice that many Darfuri women face and the immunity from prosecution their attackers frequently enjoy. RI's continuing dedication to ensuring lifesaving services and lasting solutions for displaced people, and their unique emphasis on displaced women, has made them one of the most impressive groups working for women in Sudan today.

Save Darfur joins RI in bringing attention to the unacceptable situation in Sudan. Save Darfur folks put together a collection of recent resources and reports related to sexual violence. Due to the barriers the Sudanese government continues to construct for human rights organizations, gathering information for these reports is a labor-intensive, difficult and often dangerous process. Yet each report provides an invaluable perspective on and analysis of conditions on the ground, as well as diplomatic and humanitarian steps that must be taken to address them. In the realm of advocacy, knowledge truly is power.

Good News Tuesday: Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Abdallah

Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Abdallah is a physician and Professor of Medicine at el-Fasher University in Darfur, Sudan, specializing in the treatment of survivors of torture and sexual violence.

In 2004, Dr. Ahmed created a network of physicians and medical personnel to work providing care on the ground in Darfur. Within a few months, the Amel Center had treated seventy-eight victims of violence relating to the genocide, including fifteen women who had been raped and beaten. By October of 2007, the number of people treated at the center reached 520. Those working at the center faced constant risk of intimidation and even arrest and interrogation by the Sudanese government for the work they performed. As a native Darfuri who speaks the local language, Dr. Ahmed was able to provide a safe space for women to speak about their experiences and provide them with hope that their psychological and physical wounds could be healed.

The Amel Center was recently closed by the Sudanese government.

Dr. Mohammed is a member of the Sudanese Center for Rights Promotion and Peace Building, whose main objectives are to prevent human rights violations, combat impunity, and promote peace and reconciliation in Darfur and Sudan as a whole. The Centre’s legal activities include strategic litigation, law reform, institutional reform, and engaging in transitional justice mechanisms. In addition, the Center conducts advocacy on behalf of victims of genocide and war crimes, and promotes peace and reconciliation in Darfur and the region.

We honor Dr. Mohammed for his work as a community leader, peace negotiator and human rights advocate.

Am I Not Human? Darfur: Time to Turn Words Into Action

We support the 'Am I Not Human?' blogging campaign that lights up the 27th of each month. I encourage all villagers to find a way to support this effort to shine a light on human rights abuses taking place all over the world.

My focus this month is the continuing crisis in Darfur. Darfur has been a consistent topic on this blog. Villagers know that the conflict in Darfur that has taken some 300,000 lives and displaced 2.5 million. During the Bush years this was a passionate, rallying cause for liberal activists, some of whom now are well-placed in the Obama administration. The need to resolve it remains.

The following update on Obama's Sudan policy can be found on the White House website:

Ending the crisis in Darfur and ensuring Sudan’s long-term stability through the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement is a top priority for the Obama Administration. The humanitarian crisis there makes our task all the more urgent. The President has appointed a Special Envoy for Sudan as a strong signal of his commitment to support the people of Sudan. We are committed to working with the international community to end the suffering, seek a lasting settlement to the violence, and ensure a stable and secure future for the region.

More than two months ago, President Obama reminded us of his commitment and obligation to end the atrocities in Darfur. Since then, we've been anxiously waiting for him to turn his words into action with a PUBLIC plan for peace.

I realize that Obama has been quite busy ... but, all of us recognize that Obama moves as fast as a speeding bullet ... he has the ability to multitask. We need for him to PUBLICALLY release his plan for peace in Darfur.

By publicly releasing his plan, President Obama can rally other nations to do everything they can to support peace as well. We're waiting, the people of Darfur are waiting, and time is running out.

The people of Darfur cannot wait any longer. Every day, millions struggle to get by in makeshift refugee camps, and the coming rainy season will present even more hardships. Sudanese President Bashir's expulsion of 13 humanitarian aid groups means the people in these camps have even more limited access to vital services as the rainy season rolls in. Right now, President Bashir is betting that there will be no consequences for his actions, and he is growing bolder every day.

Please join me and send a message to President Obama urging him to announce his plan for Sudan NOW.

The people of Darfur are asking the question -- Am I Not Human?

Am I Not Human? Bombing Darfur

Drumbeats from Amnesty International tell us that the Sudanese government used a Russian-made Antonov plane with the “UN” symbol on its wing to drop bombs on Darfur. This act shows that the Sudanese government does not intend to comply with the UN arms embargo. This is a clear violation of international humanitarian law and a clear example of why the current UN arms embargo needs to be expanded to cover all of Sudan.

Amnesty International issued its new report Blood at the Crossroads with accounts of Russian and Chinese weapons used to violate human rights in Darfur. In one case, the report describes Russian-supplied Mi-24 attack helicopters being delivered to the Sudanese government in 2006. Since then, the Sudanese government has used these helicopters in indiscriminate aerial attacks in Darfur.

It is undeniably clear that the current UN arms embargo cannot effectively restrain the arms flow into Darfur. At the same time, Sudanese armed opposition groups in Darfur are allegedly receiving their weapons from Chad. The innocent people of Darfur are left in the middle of this conflict.

With our encouragement, our Senator and Representatives can help stem the flow of weapons to Sudan. Senate Resolution 660 and House Resolution 1462 1) condemn the ongoing flow of weapons into Darfur and 2) call for an expansion of the UN arms embargo to cover all of Sudan. Leadership from the United States is necessary to signal to the rest of the world that ongoing violence in Darfur will not be tolerated.

Take action to stop the flow of weapons into Darfur.

Justice For Darfur, Sudan President Bashir Accused of Genocide

There is so much going on in the world today. It is difficult to keep up. Did you see that the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) accused Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes and requested his indictment. I was glad to see someone being held accountable for the atrocities taking place in Darfur.

The prosecutor's request for an indictment sent shockwaves throughout the world. The Sudanese government stated that the ICC prosecutor's request for indictment on genocide charges was a "declaration of war". The UN responded by pulling non-essential staff from the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission.

The ICC's prosecutor's request for the indictment of Bashir is a major development in the international process seeking accountability for the horrific crimes in Darfur. Of course, the process is more difficult for the ICC because Bashir doesn't recognize their authority ... a position that is in harmony with George Bush.

Is it too much to hope that Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. representative to the United Nations, would lead UN Security Council efforts to enforce the arrest warrants issued by the ICC for Sudanese government minister, Ahmad Harun, and Janjawid militia leader, Ali Kushayb? Both men were charged with war crimes similar to those brought against Bashir and continue to remain at large.

This past April, Amnesty International ramped up efforts to achieve accountability by co-founding the global “Justice for Darfur” coalition. The coalition has sent tens of thousands of messages to world leaders, asking them to pressure Sudan to hand over suspected war criminals to the ICC for prosecution.

We need these world leaders, including Secretary Condie Rice, to get more peacekeepers on the ground in Darfur to protect the citizens from a government accused of systematic genecide.

What say u?

Children Under Fire in Darfur

Drumbeats from Purple Zoe brought us the following video, in which a family located in a camp called Um Tandelti in the Sudan is interviewed by the folks at WineToWater.org. During the interview we learn of a new custom where pieces of the Quran are wrapped in goat skin to ward of bullets from the innocent. This new custom created by the Darfuris in order to keep their sanity find a hopeful solution to their war-torn environment.







The question we must ask here in the blogosphere is simple, 'Are They Not Human?'. This is a question that will be raised by any and all interested bloggers. Visit the virtual headquarters for this online campaign for more details.

Here are some blogger responses to this campaign that may educate, motivate and activate you to help end these human rights:

• Stop The Genocide Olympics


• Am I Not Human? (Backyard Beacon)


• Am I Not Human? (Hell On Earth)


• Crisis In Darfur (Vanessa Unleashed)


• Am I Not Human? (Blogher)


• Am I Not Human? (Opinionated Black Woman)


• Am I Not Human? (Wonderland or Not)


• Am I Not Human? (Modern Musings)


• Am I Not Human? (Electronic Village)


• Am I Not Human? (UltravioletUnderground)


• Join Blog Campaign, Am I Not Human? (Black News Junkie)

Will you be participating this month?

Creating a Peace to Keep in Darfur

Ending the catastrophe in Darfur requires international protection for civilians, a peace agreement that resolves the underlying political issues, and accountability for human rights abuses. Complete humanitarian access must be assured.

To achieve any of these goals, there must be meaningful consequences for individuals who impede efforts at protection, peacemaking, and humanitarian access. The deployment of an international civilian protection force, authorized last July by the UN Security Council, is moving ahead fitfully in the face of constant obstruction by the Sudanese government (and gross inattention by the Security Council to the pressing needs of the mission). While full and effective deployment of that force is necessary to save lives, it ultimately will prove insufficient unless it is accompanied by a viable peace process. Unfortunately, the current peace process is in shambles.
The ENOUGH Project and the Save Darfur Coalition created a joint report that outlines the urgent steps that must be taken to create a peace to keep in Darfur. The two groups identified these steps through field work, consultations with key actors, and experience with peace processes in Sudan and elsewhere. In particular, the joint report draws on the model used to negotiate the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended the decades-long war in southern Sudan. [SOURCE]

To date, international actors, including the United States, China, France, and the United Nations, have sought more to manage the Darfur crisis piecemeal rather than solve it completely. Now is the time to appoint an empowered mediator and support that mediator with an international quartet of powers that have leverage and interests in Sudan.

The mediator must simultaneously protect humanitarian access, push for full and effective deployment of the UN-AU civilian protection force authorized last July, and vigorously pursue a viable peace process.

That peace process must address both the local and national issues that underlie the conflict, ensuring that resolution of the conflict in Darfur complements full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended the conflict in southern Sudan and that provides a blueprint for the democratic transformation of the entire country.

The problems of Darfur cannot be solved without solving the problems of Sudan and vice-versa. The time has come, finally, to get it right in Sudan. The long-suffering Sudanese people deserve as much.

Do you have what it takes to become an activist on behalf of the Darfuri people? If so, then you are encouraged to download or read this Activist Brief on creating a peace in Darfur.

Darfur and Tibet ask 'Am I Not Human?'

Whether your are a blogger or a blog reader ... our hope is that you will join us on the 27th of each month to participate in our 'Am I Not Human' campaign. We often get caught up in our day-to-day lives or in the latest diversions in the presidential elections. Sometimes, we simply aren't aware of the atrocities being committed against human beings in places like Darfur, Tibet and elsewhere.

Sudan, the historic Nubia, is the largest country in Africa. Darfur is roughly the size of Texas. Sudan scarred having fought a civil war for 21 years that killed millions of people. Unfortunately, Sudan is an oil country with 70% of its oil derived revenue fed to the military while the Darfurian people starve. China is the largest stakeholder in Sudanese oil, purchases 70% of Sudan's exports and is Sudan's largest supplier of arms. China has major clout with Sudan. Yet, we have seen over 400,000 Darfurians senselessly murdered and 2.3 million have been displaced. The people of Darfur ask a simple question, 'Am I Not Human?'


Tibet was administered by Llamas (Tibetan Buddhist high monks) as a free and independent state from 1913 to 1950. In 1949, the People's Liberation Army of China invaded Tibet as a part of their cultural revolution. Millions of Tibetans have been murdered as a direct result of the Chinese invasion and occupation of Tibet. Tibetans are not free to openly practice their their religion. The Dalai Lama is considered by China to be a terrorist instigator. Tibetan buddhists consider him to be the reincarnation of Buddha. However, speaking of him or possessing his photograph is torturously punishable by Chinese law. China recently renewed its crackdown of Tibet as a result of recent protests. The people of Tibet ask a simple question, 'Am I Not Human?'

I hope you take action! Download our E-book to see a number of ways to take action. Stop supporting businesses who support rapists, torturers or murderers. Do your research. Visit links here, here or here to see what you can do to hold inhumane criminals accountable and stopped flat.

Are you up to supporting this human rights campaign on the 27th of each month? What say u?

Sexual Violence in Darfur

One of the scary aspects of the armed conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region is that women and girls living in displaced persons camps, towns, and rural areas remain extremely vulnerable to sexual violence [SOURCE]. Those responsible are usually men from the Sudanese security forces, militias, rebel groups, and former rebel groups, who target women and girls predominantly (but not exclusively) from Fur, Zaghawa, Masalit, Berti, Tunjur, and other non-Arab ethnicities.

Perhaps even more scary is the public response of the Sudanese government. The government of Sudan has repeatedly denied that sexual violence is a problem in Darfur. As recently as March 2007 President Omar al-Bashir said in a television interview, “It is not in the Sudanese culture or people of Darfur to rape. It doesn’t exist. We don’t have it.”

Survivors of sexual violence in Darfur have no meaningful access to redress. They fear the consequences of reporting their cases to the authorities and lack the resources needed to prosecute their attackers. Police are physically present only in principal towns and government outposts, and they lack the basic tools and political will for responding to sexual violence crimes and conducting investigations. Police frequently fail to register complaints or conduct proper investigations. While some police seem genuinely committed to service, many exhibit an antagonistic and dismissive attitude toward women and girls. These difficulties are exacerbated by the reluctance—and limited ability—of police to investigate crimes committed by soldiers or militia, who often gain effective immunity under laws that protect them from civilian prosecution.

Americans are shocked beyond belief when we learn of sexual violence against young girls in our country. This week we are watching the raids on a Texas compound as a result of a 16-year old girl telling police that she was having unwanted sexual relations with a 50-year old polygamist. However, America doesn't seem to be willing to engender any outrage over the sexual violence occurring in Darufur. Women and girls continue to be brutally beaten and raped. Social stigma and obstacles to justice continue to discourage women and girls from seeking redress.

Since 2004 the African Union peacekeeping mission, known as AMIS, made efforts to protect women and girls victimized by sexual violence. But a lack of resources and various logistical and security challenges undermined these efforts. On January 1, 2008, an expanded United Nations-African Union mission (UNAMID) took over the mandate of the African Union mission and has been tasked to ensure security for humanitarian agencies, protect civilian populations, and monitor peace agreements, among other things.

It is imperative that the Sudanese government and UNAMID, still in the process of deployment, give high priority to meeting the challenges associated with addressing sexual violence. The government should demonstrate its resolve to address these serious human rights violations by state security forces and government-backed militias through concrete actions addressing the causes of sexual violence:

1. Bring to an end all attacks on civilians, including women and children, by government forces and government-backed militia.


2. Issue clear, public instructions in the form of a presidential decree to all members of the armed forces and government-sponsored militia, that rape and other forms of sexual violence will be promptly investigated and prosecuted.


3. Hold those responsible for acts of sexual violence, including those in positions of authority, accountable as a matter of command responsibility.


4. Ensure police and prosecutors are trained in victim-sensitive approaches to handling criminal investigations, and that properly trained female police investigators are deployed to police stations in Darfur, especially to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.


5. Revise criminal laws on sexual violence to provide for attempted rape and ensure rape victims are not exposed to prosecution for adultery, as is possible—and has happened in the past—under Sudanese law.


6. Clearly and publicly instruct military authorities to comply promptly and transparently to requests from police and prosecutors regarding criminal investigations of members of the armed forces.


7. Repeal immunity laws that provide members of the security forces effective immunity from prosecution in civilian courts for human rights violations, including acts of sexual violence.

I encourage all villagers to take a moment and download the 8-page summary and recommendations made to provide justice for victims of sexual violence in Darfur. You've been reading the various posts that are part of the In Solidarity: Global Day for Darfur blogblast ... what have you learned? Are you motivated to take action?

Traveling in Darfur: Six-Week Travelogue

Many Villagers simply don't know very much about Darfur. As such, we may think that we cannot make a difference in stopping the genocide taking place in that part of the world. One way we can move forward in a positive manner is to simply learn more about the conflict. The Res Publica Team that runs Darfurgenocide.org conducted a six-week trip to Darfur and the surrounding areas. This travelogue describes their encounters with the Darfuri people, political leaders as well as the Sudanese Liberation Army.

I encourage all Villager to take a moment to download the report and recommendations being made by the Res Publica Team. More importantly, I hope you will take some time to click on the links below to follow the summary and photos of their six week journey:

• Introduction
• Context and Purpose of Trip
• Traveling in Darfur - Life Continuing Amidst the Scars of War
• Fatima's Story - A Window onto the Tragedy
• Getting to Know the Sudan Liberation Army
• Eritrea, Ethiopia, Chad - Meeting Political Leaders, African Union Staff and the Conflict in the East
• The Justice and Equality Movement
• Key Conclusions - Messages for Activists and the International Community
• General Map of Darfur - More Detailed Maps of Darfur, including Towns and Refugee Camps

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Villagers, this post is part of In Solidarity: Global Day for Darfur called by Modern Musings and supported by A Political Season, Black and Missing But Not Forgotten, BlackPerspective.net, Black Women Vote, CEO Mum, Darfur: An Unforgivable Hell on Earth, Eddie G. Griffin, Electronic Village, Musings of the Night, My African Diaspora, Regina's Family Seasons, Slant Truth, Take Political Action, The Jose Vilson, Trav’s Thoughts, UltraViolet Underground, Vanessa Unplugged, What About Our Daughters and others.

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Villagers, what is your take on the situation in Darfur? More importantly, what steps do you advocate for us to end the genocide in that part of the world?

In Solidarity: Global Day for Darfur

Have you been listening to the noise surrounding the Olympic torch over in Europe. Protests from people that are upset about China disregard for human rights took it out on the eternal Olympic flame. Many villagers recall that PurpleZoe led us on a Blogging Day of Action for Darfur last year. Well, villagers ... let's do it again!

This time our lead is coming from Danielle. My blog will join Danielle (ModernMusings.com) on April 13th for the In Solidarity: Global Day for Darfur campaign. I am hopeful that other bloggers who read this post will join in this effort. The Strategy is to Educate, Motivate and Activate toward ending the genocide in Darfur.

• Educate through analysis of reports and news materials, compilations of facts through viral multimedia like podcasts and videos posted on YouTube and linking to articles, blog posts, and viral media to expand public knowledge of the Darfuri genocide. Any and all aspects can be focused on; such as the root causes of the murder, who is behind it, and what the international community has done to promote the murder and to end it.


• Motivate through the capacity within humanity for empathy. Motivate through love. Pull at heart strings, communicate the sameness of Darfuri families and your own, and share the simple, common fact that we are all the same and the suffering of the Darfuri people is felt within our hearts. Motivate through the anger for the greed, the murder, and the lack of action.


• Activate through petitions, open letters, letters to all our elected officials as well as U.N., Sudanese and Chinese officials, and speaking out to the corporate sponsors of the Beijing Olympics as China plays a key role.

Please reach out to Danielle if you want to add your blog to this unified effort on April 13.