South Carolina
Response to Genocide
"I have lost everything, I have nothing
but the fingers on my two hands." -- Sudanese Refugee
What is going on in Darfur, Sudan?
The people of the Darfur region of western Sudan are victims of a ruthless genocide. This genocide, which is defined as the deliberate and systematic extermination of an ethnic or national group, began in early 2003. During 2003, armed opposition groups emerged in the Darfur region of western Sudan in response to economic, political, and social marginalization of the African population of Darfur. Rather than focusing on combating these rebel military forces, the Sudanese government chose to attack innocent women and children in a scorched earth campaign.
What is the result of the Sudanese
government's response?
The people of Darfur have fled attacks by their own government and its allied Janjaweed militia, bands of Arab fighters equipped and trained by the Sudanese government. The government soldiers and Janjaweed militia have been responsible for mass killings, torture, arbitrary arrest, the torching of homes and entire villages, rape, and the deliberate destruction of crops and livestock. This onslaught has resulted in the deaths of over 400,000, mass movement to refugee camps, and the dependence of over 3,000,000 on humanitarian aid, largely funded by the United States government.
Who are the victims of the genocide?
This violence has been characterized as "ethnic cleansing." The area, whose population of six million is divided among African farmers and Arab nomads, is almost entirely Muslim. Following a long period of simmering local conflict, black Africans now are being targeted by the Arab-dominated government of Sudan. Despite consistent denials by the Sudanese government, rape, racial epitaphs, and other forms of sexual and racial violence are used as weapons of war by government and Janjaweed.
What is the current situation in Darfur?
The perpetrators have not been brought to justice, and the situation on the ground is deteriorating! The Sudanese government is moving Arabs from neighboring nations into the villages that the Africans have been forced to abandon. Millions are living in squalid refugee camps in an effort to find some measure of security. Increasingly, the Janjaweed are attacking defenseless victims within the refugee camps. Humanitarian workers whose effort is saving millions of lives have become the targets of the Janjaweed and lawless elements. If the humanitarian effort, long under administrative pressure by the Sudanese government, is withdrawn because of insecurity, the human catastrophe will multiply.
What can I do to help?
Hundreds of thousands of lives have been taken. MILLIONS CAN BE SAVED. Our voices together will be loud. We WILL be heard. As one voice united against the genocide, we will save lives and build new hope for lasting peace in Darfur. Open your eyes, join the fight, and be heard.
Your voice makes a difference!
1. Join other South Carolinians and people from around the world and work to stop the genocide in Darfur.
2. Rally on September 16, 2007, 3:00 p.m. at the Statehouse with the Darfur Action Group of South Carolina in support of those who have been and continue to be victimized in Darfur.
3. Visit www.dagsc.org or call 803. 233.2410 for more information on how YOU, your youth group, your study group, your civic club, your family can get involved.
phone: 803.233.2410 fax: 803.252.2016
1411 Gervais Street, Fifth Floor, Columbia, SC 29201
