To mark the 50 days until Sudan’s nationwide election, grassroots activists around the United States have kicked off Sudan Sham Elections 2010, a campaign to press U.S. leaders to take a firmer line in Sudan. In particular, activists are expressing their distaste for the U.S. government’s decision to allocate $100 million in taxpayers’ money to an election they believe will be anything but free and fair. The 24th of February is Nevada's day to represent during this campaign.
Take 5 minutes and tell Senators Reid and Ensign as well as Representatives Heller, Titus, and Berkley that our money shouldn't go the rigged re-election campaign of a man wanted for human rights violations. Please....
I am happy to announce that Champion Darfur will be participating in the Sudan Sham 2010 Campaign and helping to represent Nevada on February 24th! But to do this effectively we are going to need everyone to help.
Sudan Sham 2010 is a coordinated effort of regular citizens and advocacy groups across all 50 states and DC who stand with the people of Sudan in an effort to bring attention to the unfair Sudanese elections, currently scheduled for April 2010. These will be anything but free and fair. The electoral reforms laid out by Sudan's 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement - necessary for a credible election - have been delayed, obstructed and outright violated by the Sudanese government. With instability continuing in Darfur and violence mounting in the South, fraudulent elections in April could be a dangerous flashpoint for Sudan.
In a climate of violent political intimidation and with millions disenfranchised in camps, there cannot be credible elections in Sudan. US support gives the government of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, indicted on war crimes and crimes against humanity, legitimacy it does not deserve. It is a waste of American taxpayer money, and non-credible elections will fuel violence and divisions in a country that is already on the brink.
I have drafted a open letter to this point to Senator Harry Reid, Senator John Ensign, Rep. Shelley Berkley, Rep. Dean Heller, and Rep. Dina Titus and I am asking you to please read and sign our letter.
We have established a goal of 1000 signatures by the 24th of February so please sign and share with all your friends!
This is a article posted by Bec Hamilton on February 11,2010 at her blog The Promise of Engagement. She is an amazing activist and hits the nail on the head with this posting. The grassroots activists are mobilizing before Sudan's tainted elections in April ask the Obama administration to not recognize these elections and to not give the Bashir regime any kind of legitimacy. Please join a organizations efforts today. Whether online or off, a rally, a petition, anything. We must act now. Thank you.
[Editorial note: There was date error in the email originally pasted into this post. I have since had it confirmed from several sources that Mohamed Musa was abducted on WednesdayFeb. 10 and was found dead yesterday Thursday Feb. 11. I have asked Dr. Gasim to send a corrected notification]
I know you don’t know the name. I’m posting this because it is not the kind of thing that generally makes it into the media. But it matters. And we need to hear about it. So here is the notification I just received about the killing of Mohamed Musa Abdella Bahraldien (A friend just spoke by phone to the someone within Darfuri community at the UoK who says everyone is just very sad.)
When a vocal student can be abducted by Security Services in broad daylight and killed with impunity, why is the language of “free, fair and credible” even entering into the realm of conversation around the upcoming election?
(btw - So much for the “reform” of the National Security Act.)
The victim (deceased) student in University of Khartoum Faculty of Education ,level 3 . He is very active among Darfurian Students , yesterday after he was get from examination NISS Members drive truck kidnapped him from in front of main gate of Faculty of Education in Omdurman they took him to elsewhere . Today he was found in open space in Elneel town in Omdurman dead.
I recently received an amazing opportunity and even more amazing honor, I was accepted into the Carl Wilken's Fellowship by the Genocide Intervention Network. This years new fellows numbers only 18 so I am humbled by this opportunity to learn from some amazing anti genocide activists and to be included in their ranks.
If you don't know who Carl Wilkens is then you should look him up. The man is hero and a shinning example of what it means to be selfless. During the Rwanda Genocide Mr. Wilkens opted to stay behind instead of leaving with his family. Mr. Wilkens saved countless lives during those days and I am humbled to be a part of the organization bearing his name. But I must admit I am bit nervous as well.
I have often described the "light turning off in their eyes" when the topic of genocide or Darfur comes up with other people and when I say that I see that light go out I literally mean I see it. This is the most frustrating part of activism for me and from what I can tell its the leading reason why people just give up and throw in the towel. If no one else is going to care then why should I continue to waste my time.
This is something that crosses my mind about as often as eating vegetables with dinner crosses the mind of my 17 year old son, rarely. But I would be lying if I told you that doubt and intimidation don't rear their ugly heads from time to time. But now that I am a member of the this fellowship I am coming to realize that I am not alone in this struggle. That support network is the main reason that I applied for this fellowship and I am so very looking forward to utilizing it.
I have said it more then once before and I will die screaming it from the roof tops, the true cause of crimes like genocide is simple, it's apathy. Apathy not only allows the perpetrators to disassociate themselves from their victims, it allows the international community, the bystanders if you will, to turn their heads and act powerless. The very fact that the vast majority of the international community can look away while millions are killed is the only direct indication that one needs to see that apathy has set its roots deep within our society. And it is this apathy that we activists fight everyday. And believe me when I tell you, its a lonely uphill fight.
I like to think that I help unravel the tangled web of this conflict for the common reader, that help distinguish the x's and the O's. Seeing as the Darfur conflict is filled with so many interlacing components there is much to explain and write about. And now I know that there are a lot of people to write about it. I know that I now more then every I am not alone in my efforts. And that is why I would like to share my venue with them, allow them to tell their their stories and speak their minds.
I am opening the door to my fellow Carl Wilkens Fellows, of 2009 and 2010, and I am hoping to spot light a fellow fellow at least once a month and share with everyone what they have done, are doing, and their personal journey along the way.
It is important that we open the door of dialogue to each other, that we share our stories and experience so we not just better understand the genocide in Darfur or genocide as a whole but to better understand each other and how we can all help one another.
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