Armenian Assembly of America
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PRESS RELEASE
June 29, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
E-mail: zenian@aaainc.org

ASSEMBLY CALLS FOR ACTION TO STOP GENOCIDE IN SUDAN

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian Assembly this week joined a nation-wide
petition signing campaign calling on Secretary of State Colin Powell to act
now to end genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.

In an action-alert e-mailed to thousands of Armenians around the United
States, the Assembly said:

“Just as with the Armenian Genocide, ten years ago, the international
community stood by as the Rwandan Genocide claimed 800,000 lives. Today, as
world leaders remember that human catastrophe with empty expressions of
‘Never Again,’ the people of Sudan face a similar fate. Add your name to
the petition calling on Colin Powell to immediately recognize the genocide
occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan and move aggressively to bring it to
an end –an action that could save more than 1,000,000 lives.”

Persistent eye-witness reports indicate that in Darfur, the Sudanese
government is destroying African Muslim communities who have challenged the
authoritarian rule of the government. Government forces and Arab militias
known as the Janjaweed have burned and pillaged thousands of villages,
poisoned water systems, and subjected the population to large-scale rape and
other atrocities.

In the e-mails, the Assembly said with 30,000 people already killed, Darfur
now faces the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Even if relief arrives
now, 350,000 people may still die. If relief does not arrive, the toll will
surely be many times higher.

“At present, Secretary of State Colin Powell is deciding whether the U.S.
should officially recognize the atrocities in Sudan as constituting
genocide. The 1948 Genocide Convention requires the 130 countries that are
parties to it, including the U.S., to prevent and punish these crimes
against humanity.

“Please help us generate 10,000 signatures before the end of this month to
send a strong message about the urgent action needed to save lives in
Darfur,” the Assembly appeal for action said.

To join the thousands who have already voiced their concern over events in
Darfur, visit the following Web site for details and action:

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2004-062