In the last 48 hours, there have been numerous reports of threats and acts of violence against UN forces, diplomatic missions, and, most recently, humanitarian workers. These acts, and those who perpetrate them, only serve to further destabilize Darfur and bring added misery upon people who are already beginning to suffer from the Sudanese government’s recent decision to shutter 16 NGOs.
Following threats against American and European interests in Sudan, and due to anti-western sentiments expressed following the ICC’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, the US Embassy in Sudan has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and their families.
On March 10th, a UNAMID patrol was ambushed by unknown assailants brandishing small arms. Four wounded peacekeepers were flown by helicopter to the mission’s hospital in El Fasher where their conditions are listed as not life-threatening.
The following day, March 11th, in El Fasher, a UNAMID vehicle was carjacked by three armed assailants. This incident occurred in front of the home of a UNAMID staff member in a town where at least three peacekeepers have been killed in similar incidents in the last ten months.
On the evening of March 11th, armed gunmen stormed the office of an international humanitarian organization operating in West Darfur. The gunmen abducted three international aid workers and two Sudanese staffers. The Sudanese staffers were later released while the whereabouts of the kidnapped Canadian nurse, Italian doctor, and French project coordinator remain unknown.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
rob.beasley@live.com says:
The answer is simple.
Hands up how many of us have read the ICC’s Rome Statute. My Hands Up!
All nations must sign this document. When you read it you see that the claim that it affects a nations sovereignty is false.
If all countries where signatories atrocity would cease to exist as this law clearly and specifically outlaws this behaviour.
The UN has a moral obligation to the peoples of Darfur as they are the body that gave the ICC jurisdiction over Sudan. Sudan is not a signatory.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sgsm9797.doc.htm
The UN Must act immediately and decisively to do what ever it takes to protect the people of Darfur.
China must be harrassed until they sign the ICC’s Statute and it should be he peoople who harrass the most.
If you read the STATUTE you will see that there is in truth no defensible reason for not signing.
The US could help by leading the way.
Have you read the ICC Statute today. Now your law it can only strengthen your cause.
http://www.icc-cpi.int/Menus/ICC/Legal%20Texts%20and%20Tools/Official%20Journal/Rome%20Statute.htm
Focus (and unite) grasshoppers.