[Mitai-announce] Fwd: Who goes into Darfur without backup?

[Julia Yoo]

On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 1:26 PM, Amnesty International USA <
alerts at takeaction.amnestyusa.org> wrote:

>      [image: Amnesty International USA: TAKE ACTION NOW!]<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=eeKPJXNxHiLRI6I&s=beJHIOOwHiKRKWPvGpF&m=jkKRK7OMIjIaE>    Courageous
> peacekeepers are sent into one of the world's most hostile environments
> without anyone there to watch their backs.
> Send an email to the UN Ambassadors of key nations asking them to send
> additional support to Darfur.<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=jjJZLcPRIoITKcJ&s=beJHIOOwHiKRKWPvGpF&m=jkKRK7OMIjIaE>
>                Dear Kayvan,
>
> *Peacekeepers* are the latest *targets of violence* in Sudan.
>
> Soon after the International Criminal Court *issued an arrest warrant for
> Sudan's President*, the *government of Sudan responded by kicking out
> humanitarian aid groups* from working in and around Darfur. Now, just
> weeks later, *armed groups* are adding fuel to the fire by* waging violent
> attacks against international peacekeepers*.
>
> The two most recent attacks, one of which was labeled a "cold-blooded
> ambush" by a UN spokesman, *have left peacekeeping operations on the
> defensive.*
>
> As the threat toward peacekeepers continues to escalate, Amnesty
> International is turning a critical eye toward *key nations that have put
> peacekeepers in harm's way without proper support and backup*. Our
> eye-opening report, *Empty Promises*1, shows that key nations could be
> doing a lot more to bring security to Darfur.
>         More peacekeepers needed in Darfur<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=dnKNIUMtHiLILVI&s=beJHIOOwHiKRKWPvGpF&m=jkKRK7OMIjIaE>
>    <http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=gqITI3OFJlJPJ5L&s=beJHIOOwHiKRKWPvGpF&m=jkKRK7OMIjIaE>   [image:
> Take Action Now]<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=jjKZJcPRLoIWLfK&s=beJHIOOwHiKRKWPvGpF&m=jkKRK7OMIjIaE>    A
> seriously injured peacekeeper in Sudan. © AFP
>
> *Send an email to the UN Ambassadors of China, Egypt, South Africa, the
> U.K. and U.S. asking them to fulfill their commitment to bring security to
> Darfur.<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=mmL5KlM3KrL3JpJ&s=beJHIOOwHiKRKWPvGpF&m=jkKRK7OMIjIaE>
> *
>
> Across the board, these *key nations are failing to offer the human,
> material and/or financial resources* that could make all the difference in
> bringing security to the region. Darfur is supposed to be the largest
> peacekeeping mission *in the world*. But lack of commitment and planning
> from these key nations has *set the mission up for failure*.
>
> Without peacekeepers operating at full capacity, not only will the lives of
> displaced Darfuris be at risk, but so will* the lives of those sent in to
> protect them*.
>
> Some countries have offered far below their capacity, while others have not
> followed through on their commitments at all. For instance, *the U.K. has
> pledged to send only 100 troops to the world's largest humanitarian crisis
> *. Of that small number, *only six have been deployed*.
>
> Our report goes on to identify where these nations have fallen sadly short
> 2:
>
>    - *Sending additional peacekeepers: *China has not made any additional
>    offers of military equipment or funding since November 2007
>    - *Providing equipment: *Despite its capacity to do so, South Africa
>    has not provided the peacekeeping mission with any helicopters or ground
>    transportation equipment
>    - *Using diplomatic influence: *Egypt could use its strong influence
>    with Arab League countries to persuade them to contribute helicopters,
>    ground transportation equipment and other support
>
> These nations are *supposed to be setting an example* for how the world
> should respond to a crisis. Instead they are *treating the situation in
> Darfur like a waiting game.*
>
> We need to *demand that the UN Ambassadors of these key nations fix*<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=fpJRK0OBIkKQL5L&s=beJHIOOwHiKRKWPvGpF&m=jkKRK7OMIjIaE>the impossible situation they are creating for peacekeepers.
>
> These* nations have left Darfuris and existing peacekeepers alike at the
> mercy of armed groups.* These armed groups -- government soldiers, *
> Jajawid* militia, rebels and bandits -- have proven to be, if nothing
> else, relentless.
>
> Peacekeepers can't survive in Darfur without full support.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Denise Bell
> Darfur Campaign
> Amnesty International USA
>   [image: Take Action]<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=isKXL9PNKnJXIfK&s=beJHIOOwHiKRKWPvGpF&m=jkKRK7OMIjIaE> [image:
> Donate]<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=llI3IiMZJqI4KpJ&s=beJHIOOwHiKRKWPvGpF&m=jkKRK7OMIjIaE> [image:
> Blog]<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=eeKPJXNxHjLRI5I&s=beJHIOOwHiKRKWPvGpF&m=jkKRK7OMIjIaE>
> 1 Empty Promises report, February 2009: *
> http://www.amnestyusa.org/pdf/Empty_Promises.pdf*<http://amnestyusa.org/pdf/Empty_Promises.pdf>
> 2 Empty Promises Fact Sheets: *
> http://www.amnestyusa.org/page.do?id=1381028*<http://www.amnestyusa.org/darfur/darfur-facts/empty-promises-fact-sheets/page.do?id=1381028>
>
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