ANCA AND AFRICA ACTION CALL ON U.S. TO TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO END DARFUR GENOCIDE
armradio.am
20.05.2008 11:28
With the U.S. set to take over the presidency of the United Nations
Security Council this June, the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) and Africa Action have teamed up Africa Services Committee,
American Jewish World Service, the Damanga Coalition for Freedom
and Democracy, Genocide Intervention Network, NY City Coalition for
Darfur, New York Vigilers, STAND, Rock for Darfur, Darfur Metro, Darfur
Rehabilitation Project, and other human rights organizations in calling
for the deployment of well- equipped peacekeepers in Darfur. The
groups will hold a rally on May 22, 2008 at the U.S. Mission to the
United Nations.
"The recent rebel attacks on Khartoum by Darfuri rebel group the
Justice and Equality Movement and subsequent government reprisals
against civilians may worsen the humanitarian situation in Sudan
that has already grown direr over the course of 2008," said Gerald
LeMelle, Executive Director of Africa Action, who has taken the lead
in organizing the rally. "The U.S. presidency of the UN Security
Council in June offers an opportunity for the Bush administration to
deliver bold diplomatic action, not mere rhetoric, to address this
crisis. U.S. leadership at this critical moment is vital to upholding
the international community’s responsibility to protect the people
of Darfur and promote peace for Sudan."
The U.N Security Council has primary responsibility to maintain
international peace and security. The Presidency of the Council rotates
monthly, according to the English alphabetical listing of its member
States, and on June 1, 2008, the United States will take over the
presidency. Over 450,000 people have lost their lives and millions
have been displaced in the ongoing genocide in Darfur. Although the
U.S. government has acknowledged this genocide, it has failed to take
the necessary action to protect the people of Darfur. Africa Action,
the ANCA and rally supporters are calling on President Bush to assert
U.S. leadership in support of a multinational intervention to stop
the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
"The Armenian American community knows all too well the repercussions
of inaction in the face of genocide," noted ANCA Eastern Region
Executive Director Karine Birazian. "We commend Africa Action in taking
the lead on this initiative and look forward to working with all rally
organizers to once and for all put an end to the cycle of genocide."