Washington, DC — The Committee on Conscience of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum issued a "genocide emergency" yesterday, red-flagging the continuing violence in Darfur, Sudan. This is the first time the Museum has used this label, which specifies that "acts of genocide or related crimes against humanity are occurring or immediately threatened."
In January and April of this year, the Committee on Conscience issued a "genocide warning" for Darfur. Then last month, for the first time in its history, the Committee sponsored a special program titled, "Bearing Witness for Darfur," in the Museum's Hall of Witness while regular Museum activities were suspended. Jerry Fowler, staff director of the Museum's Committee on Conscience said that while the program contributed to raising awareness about the issue, "our response has not been strong enough. We need a sustained, escalating effort."
"We take a very conservative approach to the definition of genocide. We don't use the term lightly," said Fowler. "The situation has clearly reached the point now where that term is appropriate. The U.S., the UN and other countries must act now to stop this genocide from going further. And then they need to punish those responsible."
Until recently it was difficult to pinpoint exactly where to place the blame. Refugees have consistently reported seeing Sudanese army personnel and aircraft in the raids that drove them from their villages. Yet, the Sudanese government denies responsibility for the attacks.
Last week, Human Rights Watch released Sudanese government documents that they said, "incontrovertibly show that government officials directed recruitment, arming and other support to the ethnic militias known as the Janjaweed."
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"These documents show that militia activity has not just been condoned, it's been specifically supported by Sudan government officials," said Peter Takirambudde, executive director of Human Rights Watch's Africa Division.
Fowler also condemned the Sudanese government for its handling on the situation. "By hindering and slowing access for the international relief assistance that the displaced require for survival and failing to rein in their Janjaweed allies, the Khartoum government and its proxies are directly responsible for the increasing deaths from malnutrition, lack of clean water and related diseases," he said.
It is estimated that at least 50,000 and possibly more than 100,000 Sudanese have already died. The U.S. Agency for International Development reported that 350,000 or more people could die by the end of this year. More recent approximations by independent aid groups make that number look conservative. Refguees, who mostly come from the Fur, Zaghwa and Masaalit ethnic groups, say they have been targeted because they are black Africans.
The museum is set to open a multimedia display on August 2. "Who Will Survive Today? Genocide Emergency: Darfur, Sudan" is designed to educate visitors about the situation in Darfur.
Web Site: The Committee on Conscience of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
