Washington, DC — An anti-genocide group has strongly criticized major international companies sponsoring the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China for their silence on the ongoing crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Dream for Darfur, an organization working to step up pressure on China over its relations with the Sudanese government, issued a report this week which incorporated a "report card" giving failing grades to 16 of the 19 Olympic sponsors. The companies named included Coca Cola, Microsoft and the U.S. brewer, Anheuser-Busch.
The report was titled "And Now... Not a Word from Our Sponsors."
Jill Savitt, executive director of Dream for Darfur, said sponsors are supporting China's efforts to position itself "in glowing terms" on the world stage. "But," she said, "they are silent about China's role in the Darfur genocide, and in their silence, they are complicit."
The companies were evaluated on steps they took to bring attention to the crisis in Darfur over a 12-week period from May to October 2007. Companies were given points for action such as establishing a point person on Darfur or giving aid. The most points would have been given for contacting the Chinese government to express concern.
General Electric earned the highest grade, a C+, for contacting the International Olympic Committee, establishing a point person, and giving aid. But not a single company contacted China, according to Dream for Darfur.
"Even the highest grade ... is nothing to boast about; these are supposed to be corporate leaders, but they have ducked the human rights issue," said Ellen Freudenheim, who conducted the research.
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Numerous experts have identified China as "the essential player in bringing security to Darfur," said Savitt. China is playing an increasing role in Sudan's economy and buys about U.S. $2 billion worth of Sudanese oil each year.
In a teleconference with reporters on Monday, actress and activist Mia Farrow called on the corporations to be responsible and take action. "This is blood money," she said. "I think they should do the right thing."
Farrow also strongly criticized the Chinese government, contending that China is "underwriting the genocide in Darfur" and that recent steps by China were "merely words."
"I see this as a seminal moment for each of us as individuals and collectively within our countries and within a human community," Farrow said. "Do we just watch people die?"
Dream For Darfur will update its corporate report card in the run-up to the Olympics and also plans to release a report card on the International Olympic Committee.
