Darfur Burns While the World Watches…the Olympics?!
Author: anne | Date: April 10, 2007 | Please Comment!Several hundred thousand Darfuris have perished in horrible conditions created through the vicious leadership of Sudan. Millions of Sudanese have also been languishing in refugee camps, unheard by the world after three years. Bureaucracy at the UN conspires to block the UN force from going in against the Khartoum government, despite their ‘responsibility to protect’ and their commitment that genocide would happen ‘never again’.
One barrier remaining to action is China, a permanent member on the Security Council, that continues to veto a decision to send troops to Darfur. China has substantial oil reserves in the area and does not want to risk offending the Khartoum government. Clearly conscientious citizens must do all they can to influence the Chinese government to support the UN actions and prevent the genocide. Until they do this I, along with many others worldwide, are calling for a boycott of the China Olympic Games.
Things to read:
New York Times Article from April 13, 2007: Darfur Collides with the Olympics, and China Yields
Globe and Mail article about France considering a boycott: French Boycott?
Washington Post Article from September 2006: Responsible China?
Save Darfur Canada website: click here
Globe for Darfur: click here
China rewards Sudan for genocide with new palace (Epoch Times): click here
11:37 am on April 10th, 2007
Yeah, however with the conflict spreading to Chad and the CAR, all it takes is one request from those countries to at least get a UN force on their side of the border ( I would doubt China would veto such a deployment).
It seems to me if we can’t stop it without going around the Security Council and the African Union, then the best we can do is attempt to contain the issue. It is sad case, but unless the west wants to launch another interventionist war, it might be the best we can do.
8:37 pm on April 10th, 2007
I think it might have to come down to another “interventionist war” maybe necessary. Unless ofcourse, we are ready to have another Rwanda on our hands. But this time under the flag of the United Nations.
But the best initial option is to establish another United Nations Emergency Force. UNEF II would similar mandate as the UNEF I. This would allow the Government of Sudan, to atleast be given a say in the process. It would also give the Government of Sudan the opportunity take the just path.
Nevertheless, I have a cynical opinion of the Government of Sudan. I do not expect the government to accept a United Nations sponsored mission. So then time would come to invoke Section 42 in Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter and authorize the use of force. But I would anticipate that China would veto any such proposal.
In the end, unfortunately, we will have to act outside the United Nations. NATO member states will have to enact the usage of force without the Security Council’s Approval. Which would be unfortunate, considering this would be the third major conflict in a decade being fought outside the United Nations. I fear that it would put the United Nations in a similar position as the League of Nations.
8:39 pm on April 10th, 2007
Correction of the first paragraph:
I think it might have to come down to another “interventionist war†maybe necessary. But this time under the flag of the United Nations. Unless ofcourse, we are ready to have another Rwanda on our hands.