Posted December 10, 2006

Darfur: A Call to Action

Calls to stop the violence in Darfur have come from governments, organizations and individuals around the world. When the calls grew loud in rallies around the U.S. this past spring and fall, the violence continued. When those voices faded, the violence still continued. But two voices in Portland, Ore., continue to call out against the violence by adding to those of Amnesty International’s ongoing appeal for Darfur.

By Sherry Harbert

A call from a fellow member of Amnesty International Portland Group 48, last year would launch Jane Kristoff and Marty Fromer directly into the Darfur genocide. Kristoff, whose son Nicholas has made it one of his focus issues in his writing for the New York Times, was well aware of the atrocities in the region. Amnesty gave the two a focus for their concerns to build awareness and advocate for those murdered, raped and displaced in the Darfur region. Fromer asked Kristoff to work with him on Amnesty’s Darfur campaign last summer.

“Amnesty didn’t have an action for it at first,” said Kristoff. “Marty made a proposal that we (Portland Group 48) would sponsor it. We were going to sponsor it, anyway. Since I was involved, we decided to co-chair the Darfur Action.” Kristoff said the two began by writing letters.

Amnesty, the largest international human rights’ organization founded on writing letters to prisoners of conscience and to leaders addressing human rights’ concerns, calls on its volunteers to work on special focus issues it deems urgent when lives are at stake. In Darfur, where over 200,000 people have been killed and more than 2 million displaced, there are many lives at stake. Kristoff and Fromer realized that Darfur was complex and would be difficult to sustain in the public’s attention. But, each life was worth their efforts.

“Human rights used to be such a non-issue,” said Kristoff, who is an art history professor at Portland State University. “The Cambodians died and no one tried to stop it. In Rwanda, it happened in such a short amount of time. Now in Darfur, it is more drawn out and it is looking worse and spilling out to a larger region.” The ongoing nature of the genocide in Darfur keeps Kristoff and Fromer busy as they try to convince more leaders around the world of its implications.

“Originally, we wrote letters to President Bush, letters to the Ambassador to Egypt, then to the President of Egypt, Hasni Mubarrak, always trying to get help,” said Kristoff. “We even wrote thank you letters to the President of Slovenia, since he was involved.” Kristoff said Amnesty then got involved and their push became part of a national campaign.

“Many hundreds of thousands have died,” said Fromer, who has made it a point to study every facet of the conflict that precipitated the genocide. Fromer, who owns a small manufacturing business in Portland and is also a member of the Coalition for Genocide Awareness, said Amnesty’s first priority is to protect the people in Darfur, which is larger than the state of Texas. “Amnesty focuses on the human rights’ perspective. It doesn’t side with the government or rebel forces.”

When rebel forces in the Darfur region of Sudan attacked government forces in 2003, the country was still embroiled in a 20-year war between North and South Sudan. The brutal response from the government became the start of a systematic campaign to wipe out the Black Africans in the region. In what is referred to as the “Scorched Earth” campaign, government forces used air power to fire bomb villages, then send in Janjawid militias upon camels to shoot survivors who tried to flea the villages. The Janjawid killed the males and raped the women survivors. Those who made it to refugee camps face constant harassment and death if they attempt to leave. Many thousands have flooded across the Northern border into Chad, but it has only broadened the killing area.

When former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell called the situation in Darfur genocide in 2004, the rest of the world backed away from the language. It would take another a year before the UN finally turned around to Powell’s assessment. By that time, the 200,000 number surfaced as the standard for the estimated deaths in Darfur. It continues to be used, in spite of ongoing killings and displacements. A year ago, the violence escalated, forcing many humanitarian organizations and journalists out. In turn, the Sudanese government threatens the remaining organizations and media with arrests if any venture into areas without prior approval. Without the help of international organizations and the coverage by the media, the people of Darfur suffer greater atrocities by the government forces and Janjawid militias. The U.S. State Department issued a warning in October that anyone wishing to take photographs in the region must get special permission, plus adhere to other requirements of the Sudanese government. It has had a chilling effect on journalists and humanitarian organizations. Without witnesses, it is impossible to know the true number of deaths.

Pressure Points

Fromer said it is important to keep pressure on the Sudanese government with media, governments and human rights’ organizations all exerting their influence. “Amnesty’s 100 days focus brought a tremendous mobilization,” said Fromer. He, Kristoff and other Portland members visited local legislators in September to appeal for their support of UN peacekeeping troops in Darfur. There are only 7,000 African Union troops in Darfur with little mandate or resources to stop the violence. A proposed UN force of 22,000 could provide greater security, but the Sudanese government repeatedly refuses to allow them into the region.

Though the U.S. government was part of the push behind the peace agreement with the North and South Sudan, Fromer said the U.S. can’t do much directly in Darfur. “The executive branch has stepped up in their rhetoric. President Bush mentions Darfur quite often,” said Fromer, but concedes the U.S. doesn’t hold the power it once did in the region. “The U.S. doesn’t hold a lot of credibility now,” said Fromer. “The concept of us going in there would be negated with perceived colonial aspirations.” Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir has used fear of occupation to publicly reject outside forces.

The International Crisis Group recently issued its push for NATO troops inside Darfur, for a strong military presence. But Fromer said Amnesty cannot support NATO troops. “The reason is because of past human rights’ violations,” he said.

“NATO wouldn’t be good,” said Kristoff. “The U.S. lost credibility and the legacy of colonization is tough. The Sudanese president has been successful in convincing the country that foreign intervention would be neo-colonization. To some extent, Africa has bought into this claim.” Like Fromer, Kristoff said it is better for UN troops and African Union (AU). “If we could beef up the AU, that would be the best, but I don’t know how it will happen.”

Fromer said the U.S. disinvestment in Sudan is important, but will have little effect if other nations fill the void. For its part, Oregon, which passed a divestment statute in 2005, has divested 83 percent of its holdings in companies associated with Sudan. According to the Genocide Intervention Network which tracks Sudan and the genocide, Oregon’s holdings in four companies affiliated with Sudan includes PetroChina.

Fromer points to China, Russia and Egypt has the most important countries that can affect change in the Sudanese government. “China has a lot of development in the country,” said Fromer. “They are busy building an infrastructure for oil.” China gets about eight percent of the oil from Sudan. With the increased competition for more oil, Sudan’s oil reserves give the Chinese reason to look the other way in regard to Darfur.

“Egypt is a primary trading partner with Sudan,” said Fromer. “Egypt needs to exert pressure to stop the genocide in Darfur. The U.S. needs to work on Egypt to stop trading with Sudan until all hostilities cease.” But that will be difficult. Amnesty raised concern for Sudanese refugees and asylum-seekers in Egypt with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in September. Amnesty said 27 Sudanese protestors were killed by Egyptian police last year during a demonstration for better living conditions. It is calling for a full and impartial investigation into the deaths after an internal investigation closed the case in June without any prosecutions.

“Egypt holds a critical position with Sudan,” said Fromer. “They are also members of the Arab League and AU.” Fromer believes that if the AU continues, it must gain a stronger mandate to protect the lives of the citizens in Darfur. “The AU is woefully under-manned and only holds a mandate for observing,” said Fromer. “They need to go to the refugee camps and protect the women leaving camp to find fire wood to cook.”

A Unified Response

On September 17, Amnesty sponsored rallies with the SaveDarfur Coalition to increase international response for Darfur. Much like the rally held in Pioneer Square in April, it gathered dozens of organizations with thousands attending. “I’m very encouraged by the world demonstrations, even in Cambodia and Rwanda. A general world reaction may help—can’t say it WILL help.” The Portland rally featured Representative Earl Blumenauer, who has been Oregon’s strongest supporter for Darfur. “The rally generated a lot of interest. This community has been quite responsive and concerned. People were quite receptive,” said Kristoff. “There’s been a number of events, particularly in the Jewish community.” But like all the organizations working to end the genocide in Darfur, it is difficult to sustain the response.

“We have to face it. It’s difficult to get people excited on events so far away and in a country nobody knows about,” said Kristoff. “But I’ve been with Amnesty for years. I’m always impressed that people respond.” Kristoff said she was encouraged to hear that people drove over 100 miles to hear Dr. Stephen Boyer, who worked in Darfur in 2005, speak at Fromer’s house in October.

It helps having a son who has been one of the leading forces to keep Darfur in the public. He is one resource for Kristoff to keep well informed on what is happening inside the region and for solutions. “Nicholas suggested Kofi Annan appoint, especially after Pronk was kicked out, someone with superior prestige into the position to pressure the Sudanese government,” said Kristoff.

But for a mother, having such an involved son comes at a price. “In September, aid workers were killed. Chad refugee camps could be valid approach, but we still have to try to intervene in Darfur. But it is difficult. I just received word today that the International Rescue Committee reported one of their nurses being killed in Darfur. The natural reaction is to pull out. But they can’t help if they aren’t there.”

“It’s important for journalists to go, too. But I don’t want Nicholas to get hurt,” said Kristoff. “It’s difficult.” His latest trip earlier this month included an NBC crew, along with author and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, to witness the worsening situation along the Chad border.

The UN Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson Ron Redmond reported 12,000 Chadians were forced to flee their villages in the latest attacks since November 4. The UN estimtes 75,000 Chadians have been affected by the ongoing Darfur genocide over last year. The UN has set up 12 refugee camps in Chad for 218,000 refugees who fled Sudan, but cannot offer protection with military force. The UNHCR reported 23 villages have been attacked last month and another 20 abandoned by residents fearful of the armed Janjawid. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour warned of a “full-blown crisis in south-eastern Chad” last month.

Kristoff said Chad and the Central African Republic were both important for UN peacekeepers, especially if Sudan continues to refuse them. “With our situation in Iraq, the U.S. no longer has clout in the world,” said Kristoff. “We cannot send troops to another Muslim country. But UN troops could be sent to stabilize the borders and allow refugees to flee.” Kristoff said the U.S. and France could issue a no-fly-zone over Darfur. “The French already have a base in Chad.”

Amnesty reports increased attacks inside the Chad border. In a report issued in June, Amnesty stated that Janjawid with Sudanese paramilitary ID cards were entering Chad to loot and kill, targeting Dajo and Masalit ethnic groups who fled Darfur. Chad, which is far poorer than Sudan, is limited in its response, causing grave concern for refugees on either side of the border.

And so, the Genocide Continues…

Darfur presents the latest dilemma for the world when it understands little of the ethnic roots of hatred. Unlike the North-South war, which pitted Northern Muslims against Southern Christians, everyone in Darfur is Muslim. The divisions are between the Black African farmers and the Arab herders, both vying for the same land. “The Darfur region has extremely fertile ground,” said Fromer. “If they could stop fighting, they would do well.” One tactic of the Janjawid is to wait until harvest time to attack villagers.

Darfur also represents the future of violence over natural resources. Though the attacks are ethnically drawn, it is the land and water that is the catalyst to the genocide in Darfur. Fromer said after the Janjawid burn the villages and push the survivors further into the desert, they poison what little water supplies they have left. “The most basic aspect of the issue is water,” said Fromer. “The government has chosen to eliminate part of its population in a competition over resources.”

The result has displaced over two million people, besides the unknown actual deaths. Unlike Rwanda, where one million people were killed within 100 days, Darfur is ongoing. It presents an ongoing problem for the world and nation’s seeking resources and political control. The U.S. is torn between its ties with the Sudanese government in its War on Terror, while China and other nations benefit from the resources. What is left is a vacuum where human rights are largely ignored. For Amnesty, it is reason enough to continue its push to stop the genocide. For Kristoff and Fromer, it means individual lives that would otherwise be vanquished without anyone knowing they ever existed.

“There is no human face for Darfur,” said Kristoff. “It’s not racism, but different. It’s foreign and very far away for most people. They don’t even know where it is.” Fromer said there is little hope as yet for the survivors. “There aren’t many villages left to devastate,” he said. “And as far as forced returns, what is there to go back to?”

What is left is the ongoing passion to change the future for Darfur. “Further letters to Congress. Asking Congress to press the Ambassadors of the Arab League, China and Russia and ask them to assist governments to pressure Sudan,” listed Kristoff for the current work to do. “I went with the recent visits to Congressman David Wu’s office and Senator Gordon Smith’s office. Congressman Wu’s Portland assistant was very helpful. And, you don’t have to tell Blumenauer about it. He’s always there.”

But as each day means more death, more rapes, more starvation and disease, it also means more work for Kristoff and Fromer. “It’s just a feeling that it has to be done,” said Kristoff. “I think we all feel guilty of genocides in the past. We always say, ‘never again’ until the next time. I just don’t want to think it happened again and I did nothing.”

© 2006, Foreign Interest

For more information:

Amnesty International: www.amnestyusa.org

SaveDarfur: www.savedarfur.org

New York Times: www.nytimes.com

United Nations: www.un.org

Coalition for Genocide Awareness: www.genocideawareness.net

Genocide Intervention Network: www.genocideintervention.net

Contact the author: sharbert@foreigninterest.com