IKAR TIKKUN: SUDAN - DARFUR GENOCIDE
The United Nations is calling the
current situation in Sudan "the worst
humanitarian crisis of today," reporting that "large-scale war crimes" have
been, and continue to be committed there. Members of Janjaweed, a militia
backed by the Sudanese government, have killed and raped tens of thousands
of black Muslims, and forcibly displaced over a million from their homes.
The world has been slow to react and very little is being done to stop actions that many believe are tantamount to genocide. As Jews, we have a distinct responsibility to do whatever is in our power to ensure that "Never Again!" really means "Never Again!"
The International Commission on Darfur found that the Sudanese government troops have committed "crimes against humanity" and other "war crimes" against Black civilians in Darfur. Abduction, enslavement, rape and murder are listed among the documented crimes. Currently, there are tens of thousands of Black Sudanese women and children enslaved in Sudan, subject to gross sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
This report validates the findings of numerous human rights groups over the past year. We must fight for an end to these acts of violence, for the liberation of those enslaved, and for the soldiers and militia who have perpetrated these atrocities to be brought to justice.
Interfaith Solidarity
The IKAR community joins with Jews, Christians, Muslims, and all people of good will to speak out against the atrocities being committed in Sudan. Read this letter from the Rev. Anthony Evans, President National Black Church Initiative to Dan Gillerman, Israel's Ambassador to the UN.
What can we do?
- American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is conducting a campaign to lobby for intervention in the Sudan. Participation is as simple as visiting their website and filling out a form to send an email to our political leaders voicing concern and demanding that they speak out and take action. Visit www.ajws.org to learn more, or to donate their Sudan Emergency Appeal. Additional information about the situation in Sudan and ways to help can be found at www.iabolish.com, the website for the American Anti-Slavery Group.
- We encourage you to register with SaveDarfur to get weekly updates on the situation in Darfur and immediate action items.
We strongly urge all members and friends of the IKAR community to take action on this critical issue.
The goal of World Watch is to give full honor to the words, "Never Again." JWW's aim is to invigorate and reaffirm our commitment to those words, and to advocate for those who do not have the power to advocate for themselves.