The G8 Should Make a Definitive Statement on Sudan/Darfur

New momentum is building around the movement to end atrocities in Darfur. Last week Senators Obama, McCain and Clinton issued a historic joint statement of solidarity calling for an end to the violence in the region. While such a statement is most welcome, action must be taken now by governments to create a climate in Darfur and throughout Sudan that will help ensure a sustainable peace is possible.

The G8 Summit happening in Hokkaido Japan July 7-9 offers an opportunity for member’s of the powerful economic body to make specific commitments about how they will help end the violence in Sudan/Darfur. The Sudan/Darfur statement issued by G8 members last year was welcomed but contained no such commitments. This year Human Rights First is urging G8 members to issue a Sudan/Darfur statement that—at a minimum—addresses the following five areas in a concrete way:

· An immediate cessation of the violence. The statement should strongly condemn the renewed violence in Darfur and call on all parties to adhere to previous ceasefire agreements. Likewise, the statement should condemn the recent fighting in Abyei and call on the Government of Sudan and Sudan People’s Liberation Army to adhere to the ceasefire agreed upon as part of the CPA.
· Halting the transfers of arms. The statement should condemn ongoing violations of the arms embargo articulated in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1591. It should urge all states to stop all arms transfers that go, directly or indirectly, to Darfur in violation of Resolution 1591.
· Deployment of UNAMID. The statement should offer specific assistance from G8 members to ensure that UNAMID has the technical assistance and equipment necessary to fully deploy as quickly as possible.
· A reinvigorated peace process in Darfur and a recommitment to the CPA. The statement also should lay out a specific plan for how G8 governments will support efforts to establish a sustainable peace in Darfur and the full implementation of the CPA.
· Justice and accountability for atrocities committed. The statement should support existing and future efforts to pursue accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all parties to the conflict in Darfur.

It is doubtful that the G8 will make specific commitments on how it will help resolve the conflict in Sudan/Darfur without at least one member “championing” the cause. Such a champion is unlikely to emerge unless there is a strong outcry from advocacy groups and prominent individuals. Hopefully George Clooney’s recent call for G8 action on Darfur is the first of many of prominent individuals speaking to the issue.

Stay tuned for opportunities on how you can work with Human Rights First to urge G8 member’s to make concrete commitments to help end the violence in Sudan/Darfur.