Genocide in Rwanda and Events in the Sudan: “Not on Our Watch” What can YOU do to prevent this?

“Genocide” Acts committed with the intent to destroy (in whole or in part) a group of people based on a specific characteristic of the group (such as race, religion, ethnicity) What examples of genocide in the 20 th century can you name?

Genocide Convention 1948 “Any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, as such: (5 ways)

Genocide Convention, etc. Killing members of the group Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of this group Creating living conditions of the group with the intent to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group

Rwanda Background Small country in central Africa Most densely populated country in Africa 2 major ethnic groups: Hutu and Tutsi 1994, after long period of planning, Hutu majority launched an intense period of systematic killing of schoolmates, friends, and neighbors

How bad was it? In less than 100 days 800,000 Rwandans were killed –35,000 were Hutus who tried to stop the genocide or hide Tutsi friends/neighbors Nearly twice the population of Washington DC killed in 3 months. Hitler’s Holocaust killed 12 million in 8 years…Rwandan genocide killed almost one million in 100 days.

What went wrong? International community abandoned Rwanda –Why? Fear after Somalia in 1993 –Attitudes of indifference

Images from Rwanda

The Danger of Indifference

Want to read more? Books on Rwandan Genocide…

“Not on My Watch…”— President Bush Crisis in Sudan—Darfur Region Largest country area-wise in Africa Conflict started in February 2003: rebel violence against Sudanese gov’t, but gov’t backed militias (the Janjaweed) quickly moved against civilians in the region Violence is ethnically-based: Arab Janjaweed fighting against Black villagers (nearly everyone is Muslim)

Results to date? Over 400,000 people killed Over half the villages in Darfur burned to the ground Over 2 million people displaced within Darfur and 200,000 living in refugee camps in Chad Rape has been used as a weapon of war

Images from Refugee Camps

International Response? June 2005 World Food Programme of UN said that 3.5 million people in Darfur need food aid (over half population) Not enough $ received by int’l food organizations to meet Darfur’s needs Sudanese government has allowed the African Union to have “observer” troops in Darfur—not very effective in preventing violence

Refugee problem This camp in Chad was intended for 6,000 refugees It now houses 14,500 refugees with more on the way Pressure on Chad grows, water is scarce

Stories of Hope and Survival! Ambackar told me she wouldn't forget the day she lost her youngest daughter Sanabil. When their village in Darfur came under attack, Sanabil was nowhere to be found - her mother thought she must be dead. With her three other children, Ambackar rode through the desert on the back of a donkey. Five days later, when she reached Chad, she was reunited with Sanabil. The child had been caught up in a fleeing crowd and somehow made it to the border alive. The whole village crowded around Sanabil and kissed her. Helen Palmer, OXFAM Media Officer shares her stories.

Stories of Hope and Survival Jamila is 17 and speaks beautiful English. It was her favourite subject at school in Darfur, along with Arabic. Her dream is to be an engineer one day. She's living in Touloum refugee camp with her three sisters and five brothers. "All our animals are gone, our cows, our camels, donkeys and goats. We have no milk for the children. The babies get sick here. They have stomach ache, headache, malaria, diarrhoea, measles. And for me, there is no school."

Stories of Hope and Survival I met these two young girls in Breidjing - the worst refugee camp in Eastern Chad. I don't know their names or their stories as I wasn't with a translator when I met them. They were living in appalling conditions and yet they managed to be so beautiful and full of fun as they posed for the camera. Oxfam is currently working to provide emergency water and sanitation in Chad and Darfur in Sudan. Make a donation to support this work.Make a donation

January 2011: South Sudan Created In January 2011, the people living in Sudan voted for South Sudan to secede from Sudan. Conflict over border rights and resources like oil still exists, and Sudan and South Sudan have a long way to go before peace is achieved.

What if instead of mourning a genocide, we could stop one? What can YOU do? National Level? State level? Local level? “Think globally, act locally!”

How can YOU get involved? Through churches, state, local governments Visit to learn more about the current conflict in Sudan and South Sudanwww.savedarfur.org Write a letter to our Congressional Representatives: Marcy Kaptur, George Voinovich, Sherrod Brown—urge them to push Congress for Action

What else can you do? Spread the word about Darfur! –Write an article in the school paper –Get your church involved in collecting food and supplies for refugees –Encourage our UN Ambassador to make ending the violence in Darfur a priority –Get student council involved! Talk to your representatives: create awareness, raise money for food and supplies, have a food/clothing drive

“Not on Our Watch” Other things you can do? –Create flyers/displays using images and resources on Darfur to put around school (get approved by Mrs. Bernard first!!) –Organize a rally, vigil, or demonstration