The petition
PETITION CALLING ON ACTION ON DARFUR BY THE SAVE DARFUR KENYA COALITION
Preamble:
The intractable conflict in Darfur has so far claimed over 400,000 lives of mainly women, children and the aged, displaced 2.5 million people and rendered 4 million people destitute and helpless dependants on foreign aid in Sudan. Kenya and the world have watched in silence as this 21st century genocide has been perpetrated. It is time to break this silence by urging immediate action on Darfur
The Save Darfur Kenya Coalition therefore urges for action by the Kenyan Government, its people and the International Community in the following areas.
1. To halt the conflict and create conditions for sustainable peace in Darfur:
• Immediate Strengthening of the African Union peacekeeping force in the near term
The African Union (AU) forces in Darfur are under funded, outgunned, and need significant help now. The AU simply does not have the capacity to end the violence and protect the people of Darfur. But until a stronger UN force can be deployed, they are the only credible and impartial force in Darfur. Kenya and the international community must offer the AU immediate additional support or more civilians will die as a result.
• Transition to a stronger UN peacekeeping force as soon as possible
The UN Security Council Resolution voted unanimously on 31st August 2006 to finally authorize a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur subject to agreement for deployment by the Sudanese Government. The people of Darfur cannot be made to wait any longer. Kenya and the international community must therefore persuade the Sudanese authorities by all means possible to facilitate the enforcement of the UN Security Council resolution and immediately permit the deployment of a strong UN Peace Keeping Force in Darfur. Kenya and the International community is urged to mobilize resources to ensure immediate deployment and operation of this UN Peace Keeping Force.
• Immediate access to Darfur by credible independent national and international media
Darfur has been a no go zone for independent media, a clever design to keep a tight lid on the nature and dynamics of this conflict. Various journalists have been apprehended and condemned on grounds of espionage, incitement and a host of other charges. Peace is only sustainable to the extent that the peace process is understood in Sudan and abroad, as was the case in the peace process in Southern Sudan. Kenya and the international community must urge the Sudanese authorities to facilitate media access to Darfur to ensure objective exposition of the Darfurian conflict to the world.
2. To ensure rapid access to humanitarian assistance to those inside Darfur and to refugees in Chad
• Increased aid levels
Earlier this year, food rations in Darfur were cut in half due to lack of funding. They have since been raised to 2/3 of the UN's minimum daily level, but shortfalls continue to mean that men, women, and children are going hungry. The Kenyan government, its people and the international community need to make sure that the humanitarian aid life support system that has kept millions of civilians alive in Darfur does not break down due to lack of resources.
• Humanitarian access
Food and medicine alone cannot save lives if they don't get to the people who need them. Kenya and the international community must continue diplomatic pressure to ensure that humanitarian organizations retain unfettered access to all who need their help.
3. To ensure the Deepening and Continuation of the Peace Process
• Implementation of Darfur Peace Agreement
The signing on May 5th 2006 of the Darfur Peace Agreement was a step towards peace, but by no means a final one. For the agreement to become more than just another failed ceasefire, it is imperative that strong and sustained international pressure be brought to bear in order to ensure that;
o All parties to the agreement live up to their responsibilities, including the verified disarming of the Janjaweed militias; and that
o All who hinder the peace process be held accountable for their actions; and that
o All non signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement should be engaged
o The Darfurian people are brought fully into the ongoing peace process through the Darfur - Darfur dialogues as provided for in the agreement.
PLEASE ENJOIN YOURSELF /ORGANIZATION BY ENDORSING THE PETITION:
Signed: 1. Centre for Minority Rights Development (CEMIRIDE)
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