Activists in Front of the White House, Copyright George Robert Newcomb

On July 23^rd, the Syrian Emergency Task Force hosted a rally in front of the White House at Lafayette Park.  The purpose of the rally was to call on the United States government to support freedom, democracy and justice in Syria.  Since the Syrian Revolution in March, Assad’s security forces have killed over 1,700 innocent civilians as a means of suppressing peaceful protests.  Protestors denounced the Assad regime and called for free elections, a free press, and freedom of expression in Syria.  The keynote speaker was Award winning Syrian composer and pianist Malek Jandali who performed onstage.  The rally lasted for four hours and had a large turnout despite the unbearable heat.

Rally to Free Syria, Copyright George Robert Newcomb

The Syrian Emergency Task Force is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that works to convey the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people to the American public. The S.E.T.F. was created in order raise awareness in the United States of the continuing oppression in Syria.  As an organization dedicated to peace and justice, S.E.T.F. supports humanitarian organizations in their efforts to help the Syrian people and bring the crimes committed by the regime who engaged in killing, torturing, or detainment to a lawful settlement through legal and peaceful means.  Many of its members are first or second generation Syrians.  In May, the group filed a lawsuit in order to bring the horrific crimes which have occurred in Syria to trial.  The S.E.T.F. also has satellite groups in Illinois, California, Texas, New Jersey, and New York who are responsible for documenting Syrian testimony on crimes against humanity.

The organization consistently promotes action alerts.  Currently, they are asking all activists to contact the White House, the State Department, and members of Congress to support freedom in Syria.  They are calling on the Obama administration to:

• Issue a strong condemnation of the ongoing massacres in Syria, specifically the escalation in Dier Ez-Zour and Hama

• Pressure the UN Security Council to condemn the Syrian regime’s action

• Refer Assad and others to the International Criminal Court to be tried for crimes against humanity

• Lead a coalition of moderate Arab countries and European countries to increase pressure on the Assad regime to allow international media and human rights representatives into Syria.

S.E.T.F. encourages supporters to urge the State Department to support stronger measures against the Syrian regime, and to coordinate efforts to stop the regime from receiving economic assistant from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Additionally, the State Department should take the lead in sending emergency food and medical supplies to the Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, and to request that Turkey provide full access to the Syrian refugee camps.  Lastly, they advocate that activists should contact their Congressional representatives to make a statement on the Senate and House floor condemning Assad’s regime for its brutality and demanding his removal from Syria today.

Click here to view the embedded video.

For more information on how to get involved and support the Syrian Emergency Task Force, please visit their website: http://www.syrianemergencytaskforce.org/.

South Sudanese celebrate their new country's independence in the streets of Juba

At midnight on July 9, the Republic of South Sudan became a sovereign state. Celebrations in Juba, the capital of the new nation, continued through the night and into Saturday as official recognitions, statements, and congratulations on South Sudan’s newfound independence poured in from countries and elected officials around the globe. Click here for a collection of photos and videos documenting celebrations in Juba.

Foreign dignitaries and delegations, along with thousands of South Sudanese citizens, packed into John Garang Mausoleum in Juba for the formal independence day ceremonies. Despite the palpable excitement, the remarks delivered by the speakers reminded the crowd of the immense challenges facing the fledgling nation: South Sudanese leaders must confront extreme poverty, tensions with Khartoum, and a lack of infrastructure as they work to build a stable government and society.

Celebrations of South Sudanese independence were not confined to Juba. Events took place across America on July 9^th; highlights, summaries, photos, and videos from selected events can be found below.

The South Sudanese Flag is raised outside the embassy in Washington, DC. Photo credit: Martha Heinemann Bixby

Flag Raising at the South Sudanese Embassy (Washington, D.C.)

Members of the South Sudanese Diaspora community and grassroots activists from around the country gathered in front of the South Sudanese embassy in Washington, DC to celebrate South Sudan’s independence and witness the raising of the new nation’s flag. Dancing, singing, and tears of joy carried throughout the crowd as attendees watched a live feed of events taking place in Juba. At 11:00 a.m., soldiers raised South Sudan’s flag outside the embassy, symbolically announcing the country’s entry into the international community. A series of photos of the event can be found here.

Live Twitter Q & A From Juba, South Sudan

Genocide Intervention Network/Save Darfur Coalition President Tom Andrews and Senior Policy Analyst Dan Sullivan hosted a live question and answer session from the ground on July 9 in Juba, South Sudan. The topics covered ranged from the infectiously joyous atmosphere in Juba to the steep road ahead for South Sudan, including key aspects of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that still need to be addressed and the overwhelming lack of infrastructure in the young nation.  The Q&A also contained information about what American activists and the U.S. government can do to help the citizens of South Sudan and the victims of atrocities in South Kordofan, Abyei, and other regions in Sudan.

Celebration in New York City

In Dag Hammarskjold Park, activists and leaders of the diaspora community gathered to celebrate the culmination of the South Sudanese struggle for independence. The event also drew attention to the urgent need for peace and stability in the regions of Abyei, South Kordofan, Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan where people are still facing violence and marginalization.  Featured guests included the hip-hop artist and social entrepreneur Genesis Be, Gafar Kangam of the Nuba Advocacy Group, Jimma Mulla of Voices for Sudan, and Peter Keny of the Sudan Development Foundation.

An activist cheers South Sudanese independence in Dar Hammarskjold Park, NYC

Events Across the Country

Local grassroots events celebrating South Sudan’s independence occurred in over 10 states across the United States, including Virginia, Maine, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Utah, New York, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado. At churches, temples, community centers, and parks, activists and members of the Sudanese diaspora community gathered to sing, dance, and cheer the official introduction of South Sudan into the international community.

GI-Net/SDC's Daniel Sullivan (center); Alex Zucker of Auschwitz Institute (left); Former Hungarian Ambassador Andras Simonyi (right)

Yesterday, GI-Net/SDC Senior Policy Analyst, Daniel Sullivan, delivered a keynote address on genocide prevention at the International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy.

In his address, Daniel laid out the unique aspects that define the modern era of genocide prevention efforts, highlighting the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle, the recommendations of the Genocide Prevention Task Force, and the role of advocacy groups growing out of the Save Darfur Movement.  A key theme was the expansion of modern efforts to include “genocide and mass atrocities” and “other crimes” such as the four crimes identified by the R2P concept: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing.  This follows both the desire to avoid definitional issues that impede timely and effective action and the recognition that the same efforts for early warning, diplomatic intervention, rapid response, and use of force if necessary apply to the protection of civilians in mass atrocity situations that do not fit a particular definition.

The modern era of genocide prevention has also been defined by the emergence of new tools for fighting genocide including justice (in the form of the International Criminal Court), focus on what Human Rights First calls enablers of mass atrocities (such as companies involved in conflict minerals), and non-governmental organizations, whether those providing early warning and preventive measures on the ground or those amplifying the voices of threatened civilians throughout the world.

Seeking to hone the tool of justice, the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, which sponsored the symposium, just launched a new Initiative on the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, seeking to achieve a “fast-track, concrete legal resolution to halting current instances of genocide taking place in conflict zones across the world.”  At the same time, groups like GI-Net/SDC continue to hone the tool of advocacy.

As Daniel concluded last night, “Ten years after Rwanda, the world had to ask why genocide was unfolding once again in Darfur. The hope is that with efforts like ICDs initiative and groups like GI-Net/SDC, we will not have to ask the same question again ten years from now.”

Abyei protesters

As a new intern at GI-NET/SDC, I had the opportunity to visit and participate in my first rally at Lafayette Park here  in Washington, DC. As I got to the Abyei rally, I was  immediately introduced to many people and told stories about what is happening and what will happen in Southern Sudan. I learned more from the stories told by these passionate activists than I had ever read in a paper or heard on the news. The activists opened large cardboard boxes as everyone gathered around, and distributed yellow t-shirts inscribed with words calling for Abyei‘s return to Southern Sudan.  Marching back and forth in front of the white house, the crowd chanted songs in their  native language while holding large signs.

Participant in Abyei rally

Throughout the rally the crowd paused to let leading activists share their passion and reasons for advocating for the people of Sudan. The activists would go silent as they hung on every word. Eric Reeves, a professor at Smith College in Massachusetts and a Sudan researcher, was one of many guest speakers.  In his speech, he explained how it is an honor to fight for a “just peace for the people of Sudan.” Many other speakers identified with Reeves, stating similar cases for their activism. One woman reminded the crowd that “Sudan’s story is not finished” and that there is still so much that we can all do.

While I stood among these brave citizens I began to understand and engage in their vision: Abyei without violence.

Click here to view the embedded video.

—

Secretary of State Hilary Clinton announced earlier this week that Sarah Rial, Program Director of My Sister’s Keeper, is the recipient of the 2010 Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights.  My Sister’s Keeper is a faith-inspired, multi-racial group of women who work together to lend sisterly assistance to communities of women in various locations throughout the world.

Watch live via a live stream at 2:30 p.m. (ET),  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton commemorate Human Rights Day by presenting the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award to Sarah, this Friday, December 10, at approximately 2:30 p.m. at the Department of State.

Sarah, a native of southern Sudan, heads up MSKeeper’s programs on girls’ education, adult literacy and currently is leading an unprecedented peacebuilding initiative among women representing diverse regions, races, religions and ethnicities throughout war torn Sudan and the Diaspora.

Sarah has a long history of dedication to organizations working to empower women and advocate for peace. Since her arrival as a refugee to the United States in 1999, Sarah has held leadership positions with the Sudanese Women Alliance and the Fertit Association. Prior to working with My Sister’s Keeper, Sarah was the Community Programs Case Manager for the Lynn Community Health Center of Lynn, Massachusetts, and Employment Services Manager for the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Boston’s Refugee and Immigration Services. Sarah is the Co-Founder and President of the African Women’s Empowerment Group, a nonprofit organization helping immigrant and refugee women to achieve self-sufficiency.

The Eleanor Roosevelt award for Human Rights was established in 1998 by President Bill Clinton, to honor outstanding American promoters of rights in the United States. It was first awarded on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, honoring Mrs. Roosevelt’s role as the “driving force” in the development of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

We hope you’ll forward a word of congratulations to Sarah (sarah@mskeeper.org) and tune in to the live webcast at www.state.gov this Friday, December 12, at 2:30 p.m.

Representative Donald Payne / Photo by Michael Ferguson

Representative Payne began by stressing the critical nature of the situation, saying that he has been alarmed by the “emboldened intransigence” of al-Bashir’s regime which threatens the peace brought by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005. He said that South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir recently told him on a phone call that there is a “new feeling of unity and oneness” in the South and that it seems that other southern leaders are steadfastly supporting Kiir.

On the contested border region of Abyei, which will vote on whether to join the North or the South if secession occurs, Rep. Payne said,

“The failure of the talks [in Addis Ababa] rules out the possibility that the Abyei Referendum will be held on time. And that’s a very, very serious problem. Abyei is supposed to be determined before January 9 elections in 2011. And, at the present time, we see that that is not occurring.”

The Congressman also expressed concern about other reports coming out of Abyei. He noted that he has heard that there have been mass migrations to the region in an effort to influence the results of the vote.

Darfur continues to be another area of concern for Rep. Payne:

“[W]hile Darfur is not on the front pages anymore on the newspapers, the people still suffer what the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno Ocampo… called ‘a silent genocide.’ Khartoum has strangled aid, cut off IDP camps, and is watching the people of Darfur slowly starve to death.”

Mike Abramowitz in Sudan / Photo by Lucian Perkins/USHMM

The U.S.H.M.M.’s Michael Abramowitz followed Rep. Payne’s statements with a discussion of his recent trip to Sudan. He traveled throughout the South to determine the likelihood of mass violence happening around the referendum. Abramowitz noted the presence of three significant risk factors in Sudan that indicate that mass casualties could occur if war breaks out:

1. Sudan’s history of violence
2. The incendiary rhetoric coming out of Khartoum
3. The large number of southern Sudanese displaced in the North

He added with his key findings from the trip:

1. Now is a dangerous time for civilians. Troops and arms have amassed at the border between the North and South.
2. Mass atrocities are not inevitable. International efforts need to communicate clear lines about what behavior is acceptable.
3. Freelance actors have an interest in the conflict. It is not in the North’s interest to start a war, as it wants the oil flow to continue and fears that southern forces will advance on Khartoum. However, the Misseriya in Abyei and a popular governor in the Blue Nile state may have incentives to instigate a conflict.
4. The North is fragile. The regime is concerned with the east, Darfur, and border areas.
5. The months immediately following the referendum will be crucial. If there is a perception that the referendum has been rigged, violence may break out.
6. The North is unsure about what it will do. Some in the South believe that Bashir will not let the South become independent, but others think he will let the referendum go on as planned. However, some of the opposition within the National Congress Party may be plotting to thwart the C.P.A.’s implementation.

Abramowitz urged the audience, “Let’s not wait until it’s too late. Let’s try to raise awareness now” in order to prevent the outbreak of a devastating conflict that will endanger civilians.

Rich Williamson / Photo from US Mission Geneva

The last speaker, former U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Rich Williamson, criticized western states for not expressing outrage after Bashir’s regime expelled N.G.O.s from Darfur and not pushing harder for Bashir’s arrest after the I.C.C. issued warrants for crimes including genocide. “In the last 18 months, there’s been a lot of diplomacy, a lot of activity, but no substance,” he said.

Above all, Williamson emphasized the importance of oil as a key source of revenue for both the North and South. The South is dependent on the North for its pipelines to transport the oil to markets. Although the South could feasibly build its own pipelines, the construction would take years and the Government of South Sudan would probably not survive without the oil revenue for that long.

He said, “[I]f the international community wants to be helpful as opposed to just being active, they’d focus on the substantive issue.”

Referring to examples from his experience as the U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan, Rich Williamson warned that Sudan, as it stands now as a unified North and South, lacks a national identity. Like the Balkans, it has “too much history to digest.” He says that the northern regime’s antagonism for the rest of Sudan outside of Khartoum has enabled government officials to conduct mass atrocities against their own citizens. He said he was told that those in power do not think of them as their people. Not only that, but the violence and destruction that have wreaked havoc on the Sudanese people have largely occurred far from Khartoum. He recalled, “Someone said to me recently that war will not be pleasant for the north, but, in Khartoum, I fear it’s not too unpleasant.”

Thousands of activists in 14 countries around the world and in New York, LA, and Washington, DC gathered on September 19^th for a global day of action for Sudan.  Activists urged world leaders to support a timely, free and fair execution of the referendum scheduled for January 2011 in accordance with the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and sent a powerful signal to the international community that people care about ensuring a peaceful future for Sudan.

New York:

The activities in New York began with a viewing and discussion of “Darfurian Voices,” a project by 24 Hours for Darfur documenting interviews with Darfuris in refugee camps.

Viewing "Darfurian Voices" / Photo by Martha Bixby

Discussing "Darfurian Voices" / Photo by Martha Bixby

We then rallied in front of the UN headquarters alongside Darfuris and Southern Sudanese who had traveled to New York from all over the east coast to challenge President Obama and other leaders at the U.N. General Assembly to take responsibility for ensuring justice and respect for human rights in Sudan.

Rallying at the United Nations / Photo by Martha Bixby

Click here to view the embedded video.

Activists and Sudanese diaspora members then moved onto Lincoln Center to participate in Stand Up Against Poverty, an event aimed at calling attention to the U.N. Millennium Development Goals. The concluding portion focused on Sudan and featured dancing and music, which drew quite a crowd!

Sudanese dancers at Stand Up / Photo by Martha Bixby

Sudanese musicians / Photo by Martha Bixby

A global drumming circle was also part of the day’s events, and the drum beats were meant to “send a warning cry” about the risk of conflict in Sudan and the need for leaders to work together and develop concrete actions for the region.

Drumming Circle / Photo by Kim Howell

We also rallied at the U.N. on Friday the 24^th, just before President Obama met with other world leaders in a special summit on Sudan.  Once again, the activists demonstrated their passion and desire for justice with chanting, singing, and protesting for action to be taken in Sudan.

Protest at the United Nations before the 9/24 meeting on Sudan / Photo by Martha Bixby

Los Angeles:

Photo courtesy of I-ACT

On the west coast, i-ACT hosted the launch of the MY HOME, an art exhibition featuring pieces by Darfuri children who have been forced from the homes they know to live in a new one: a refugee camp.

"Please stop, we are children" / Photo courtesy of I-ACT

“During our visits to the camps, we are surrounded by children saying ‘HALLO,’ reaching for our hands, and hoping we will take a photo of them. Many have given us drawings and asked us to share their story with the world. They truly believe that if people see their pictures and hear their stories, that the genocide will end and they will be able to return home.”

"UN Convention on the Rights of the Child" / Photo courtesy of I-ACT

Click here to view the embedded video.

Video courtesy of I-ACT.

The event gave attendees opportunities to take action,

Attendees lending their voices to the Global Day message / Photo courtesy of I-ACT

and featured musical performers, including Taylor Hanson.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Video courtesy of I-ACT.

Washington, DC:

Global Day activities continued in DC with a special edition of the Darfur Interfaith Network‘s monthly vigil outside the Sudanese Embassy.

Protesting in front of the Sudanese embassy / Photo courtesy of Martha Boshnick

Standing with the people of Darfur / Photo courtesy of Martha Boshnick

Check out the video, and join the beat at an event today in Washington DC, Los Angeles or New York City.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Therefore, the Sudan365 group has declared September 19^th to be a Global Day for Sudan.  Activists around the world will hold a series of activities including joint letters, coordinated lobbying, and public events targeting each CPA Guarantor in its own country on the 19^th.

In the United States, the following events will take place.  Hosting an event of your own?  Let us know.
Los Angeles, CA — Global Day of Action for Sudan & launch of MY HOME exhibit

• Location: Eco-LogicalART Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
• Time: 11:00 am to 8:30 pm

New York City — Protest at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza & Stand Up Against Poverty event

Protest at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza

• Location: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, E 47^th St & 1^st Avenue
• Time: 2 – 3 pm

Stand Up Against Poverty

• Location: Josie Robertson Plaza (Lincoln Center) – at Broadway & Columbus, between W. 65 & W. 66 Streets
• Time: Noon – 4 pm.  Sudan focus at 3:30 pm.

Washington, DC — Vigil at Sudanese Embassy

• Location: 2210 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
• Time: 1:30 – 2:30 pm

This event came 12 years after the creation of the Court through its founding Rome Statue and 7 years after the ICC entered into force, helping the world start to transition from an era of absolute impunity to an era of accountability for the most serious crimes. The Review Conference came at a very critical time, as there was a great need for the ICC and its members to gather to address the multiple challenges that the Court has encountered in its work, and to improve the Court’s interaction with and responsiveness to victims and communities affected by atrocities. Member states needed this review meeting to examine their commitments to the Court many had participated in creating.

The ICC Review Conference provided a huge window of opportunity for the world community to reiterate its commitment to the fight against impunity. For example, the European Union and its 27 member states count themselves among the most ardent supporters of the ICC. At the conference, the representative of the European Parliament made a particularly strong statement of the EU’s commitment to ensuring cooperation with the Court and the execution of the pending arrest warrant against Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir. Other positive examples of countries seizing the opportunity presented by the Review Conference included the leading role played by the Latin American state parties; the clear statements of commitments to justice made by the African states parties; pro-active initiatives from Asian states including Bangladesh becoming the 111^th country to join the ICC after ratifying the Rome Statute just prior to the Review Conference; as well as the general support by the non state parties and NGOs. All this, along with a clear recognition by nearly all participants of the importance of the role of civil society, sent a profound message about the value of the Court and of international justice. Holding the Review Conference in Kampala presented an exceptional opportunity for victims and affected communities from Uganda and other parts of the region to participate in the deliberations.

One important thing I noted was many non-state parties who were opposing or actively undermining the court less than 10 years ago were now revising their previous behavior and seeking alliance and engagement with the court. It seems that the ICC has become an unavoidable reality as an international institution. This situation makes me recall the Darfuri proverb which would advise you to clean your backyard before bringing an important guest to your house. Its means, unless you are confident about yourself don’t deal with something that may affect you negatively. It seems like the non-state parties are now cleaning their backyards before bringing the ICC as the guest to their homes by ratifying the Rome Statute. I should also use this opportunity to applaud the people and the government of Uganda, who have made history in hosting this conference and have set a precedent for the people of the continent to follow.

The Review Conference had two major parts. The first was the stocktaking exercise on topics related to the Court’s work so far, including: (1) Victims and Affected Communities; (2)  Complementarily, including reinforcing states’ commitments to strengthen national justice systems to exercise jurisdiction over international crimes committed within their territories; (3) Peace and Justice; and (4) Cooperation. The stocktaking sessions were attended by high level diplomats from all over the world, and were filled with strong public declarations of support for the Court. Summaries of the conclusions of the four stocktaking exercises are available at: www.icc/asp/RC.

The second portion of the Review Conference was dedicated to considering amendments to the Rome Statute, most importantly a discussion on whether and how to include the crime of aggression as a crime over which the ICC can exercise its jurisdiction. Finally on Friday June 11^th around midnight, after a long debate, the Assembly of States Parties reached a decision on the definition of the crime of aggression to include in the crimes under the ICC’s jurisdiction. The conclusion was an important milestone toward achieving global peace and security through the enforcement of international justice. Replacing the rule of force with the force of law is a moral imperative.

The Review Conference’s deliberations and discussions were very fruitful, constructive and productive. Almost all the states parties, observers and NGOs were able to actively interact with each other regarding the topics on the table, and there was no disagreement about the fact that recent crises have only increased the demand for effective international justice. The Conference also provided more clarity on the issues of “peace and justice” and affirmed that there should be no impunity for international crimes. In the stocktaking exercise on peace and justice, the participants agreed on the need to recognize the paradigm shift that has been brought about by the ICC — that justice is not a tool for punishment, but a critical tool for prevention of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Moreover, the purpose of justice is to help correct harm done and help guarantee that there is no retaliation for atrocities in the future – imperative, in my view, for any resolution of a conflict to be sustainable.

I experienced the Review Conference in two different ways: as an advocate, and as a survivor of the crimes in Darfur.

As an advocate, I was proud to be part of a huge global community of advocates for justice joining together to shape a global campaign to fight impunity. The effective interaction among the participants from various entities showed me a new reality: that the world has become smaller and more conscientious than ever before, and that it is now extremely intolerant of impunity for the massive human rights abuses that are too often perpetrated by leaders in countries like Sudan who assume that they will be able to escape with impunity. No, that is no longer the case! This is not happening because of any particular love that the world community has for people who have suffered in other corners of the world, or any particular hate for those who have perpetrated the crimes.  Instead it is because many leaders around the globe have become more mindful of the need to protect the rights of their own citizens, citizens of their region, and of course the world’s citizens at large.

Experiencing the Review Conference as a survivor and member of a community affected by crimes under the ICC’s jurisdiction was a deep test for me. My experience began with a football (soccer) game for victims at the opening of the conference that brought together victims of war crimes from northern Uganda and other parts of region. The game was organized by the Ugandan Victims Foundation and other NGOs. Victims played football with high-level delegates included the president of Uganda, the UN Secretary General and the president of the President of the ICC Assembly of the State Parties (ASP). The game made it clear to me the profound nature of the conference participant’s commitment to victim’s rights and the restoration of their dignity. The game just by itself gave the participating victims the chance to feel a tangible impact of the ICC on their lives. They gained more confidence in their ability to use their talents and skills, evidenced by their active participation throughout the conference deliberations, side events in the People’s Space, and during the NGO strategy meetings organized by the CICC. Their voices were clearly heard, and their perspectives were integral in shaping the Review Conference agenda and resolutions.

The overall experience was a profound healing process that will bring recognition to victims of war crimes and empower them to build healthy communities, free from oppression and violence, which is necessary for the sustainable resolution of any crisis. I witnessed how yesterday’s victims have become strong voices for human rights and the top advocates for justice, not only at the Review Conference, but throughout the world. Many expressed hope for the prospect for peace in Northern Uganda, particularly in light of the ICC arrest warrant for Joseph Kony of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), despite his reported escape from Uganda into neighboring countries. I was amazed by the many voices among the states parties, court officials, and civil society representatives who strongly advocated on behalf of victims. The ICC Prosecutor was another leading advocate for victims rights, stressing victims’ right to compensation and reparation for harm and losses suffered, and that such compensation should not be delayed until the end of trails.

The entire conference was an important learning process for all who participated. Just as Kampala has shown that those who advocate for justice are open to learning in order to improve their work, I hope that perpetrators like Sudan’s president al-Bashir will learn and change, and if not, that time is capable of changing them. For me the Review Conference has achieved its goals, and its impact will yield positive results in the both the short and long runs of our journey to bring about justice. The greatest remaining challenge will be in how states parties live up to and follow up on commitments to advancing the Court’s work that they made in Kampala. I strongly believe the declaration made by many states parties throughout the conference that they did not labor to set up the ICC only to see it fail. It was clear to me that they, and all conference participants, were committed to ensuring its success in bringing justice for the gravest crimes.

In conclusion, what I can take from Kampala to my people in Darfur? In reality, I came back from Kampala with a hope and a confidence that I would like to share with my suffering community in Darfur and with the Darfuri diaspora community. My message to them is:

Congratulations for the choice you have made by unanimously supporting the ICC and demanding your right to have access to long-awaited justice. You have become a part of a world community of conscience that has stood in the right side of morality and said no to impunity for the most heinous crimes. Rest assured that after the commitment that I have witnessed in Kampala, despite the multiple challenges faced by the ICC, justice for the victims of injustice in Darfur will be a reality in your lifetime. No matter how long the road, the base has been established and the promise of justice will come into reality.