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| March 28, 2008 |
This is a coalition of Muslim groups speaking out on Darfur for the first time to tie in with the Arab League summit. It's pretty strong language including condemning the Govt of Sudan of blocking UN deployment.
The coalition, comprising over twenty Muslim groups, includes many international and national organisations such as human rights groups like Friends of Al-Aqsa and the Islamic Human Rights Commission; aid agencies including Muslim Aid and Islamic Aid and other Islamic groups from countries as diverse as Britain, Pakistan, Germany, Malaysia, Canada, Iran, Turkey, the US, Australia and Bahrain.
In the open letter the groups criticise the lack of attention paid to the crisis so far saying, “The crisis has cost the lives of at least 200,000 Muslims yet has not yet captured the attention of the Muslim world in the way that it should.”
The letter accuses the Sudanese Government of blocking the full deployment of the UN peacekeeping force by placing “many obstacles in its path” and urges the Arab League to, “call for an end to the obstructions on the deployment and call on those countries which have the capability to offer their own resources and manpower to support this for the protection of civilians.”
The letter also calls on the Arab League to “contribute much more to the humanitarian operation” and to “put pressure on all sides to engage honestly in the talks and encourage all sides to show flexibility.”
In the wake of increasing attacks in the past month, particularly in West Darfur, the letter also calls for the Arab League to speak out against the violence; “President Bashir has said he would consider a ceasefire but we also know that many such ceasefires have been broken in the past. The Arab League as well as calling for a ceasefire should speak out against anyone, government or rebels who breaks it.”
For more details and interviews please contact:
English:
- Brendan Cox, Crisis Action on + 44 20 7269 9450 or + 44 7957 120 853
- Seyfeddin Kara, Islamic Human Rights Commission on + 44 20 8904 4222
Arabic
- Nadim Hasbani, + 324 8533 6372
Interviewees:
- Arzu Merali, Head of Research, Islamic Human Rights Commission, English only
- Adam Tordjok, Darfuri Imam, English and Arabic
- Ishag Mekki, Darfuri Refugee, English and Arabic
The full copy of the letter with signatories is below:
Dear Secretary General,
We write as fellow Muslims from around the world to ask you to pay urgent attention to the crisis in Darfur.
The crisis has costs the lives of at least 200,000 Muslims yet has not yet captured the attention of the Muslim world in the way that it should.
There are many ways the Arab League can discharge its responsibility to help, specifically:
1) The Arab League can contribute much more to the humanitarian operation in Darfur that is keeping 3.5 million people alive in a member state of the Arab League.
2) The Sudanese Government has agreed to the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force but since that agreement has placed many obstacles in its path. As a result of this and the failure to contribute enough troops and resources, so far very few peacekeepers have been deployed and only a few Arab countries have offered substantial support. We urge the Arab League to call for an end to the obstructions on the deployment and call on those countries which have the capability to offer their own resources and manpower to support this for the protection of civilians.
3) While peacekeepers are essential it will take time to deploy them fully. To halt the killings now the Arab League can demand an immediate ceasefire from all sides. President Bashir has said he would consider a ceasefire but we also know that many such ceasefires have been broken in the past. The Arab League as well as calling for a ceasefire should speak out against anyone, government or rebels who breaks it. We are sure you agree that the killings must come to an end now.
4) Finally, while all of these steps are essential none of them is sustainable unless there is an inclusive and genuine peace process. Whilst the Arab League can not ensure this happens but they can put pressure on all sides to engage honestly in the talks and encourage all sides to show flexibility.
The suffering in Darfur is on a scale few of us can imagine. It is the duty of all of us, from whatever background, wherever we are, to do what we can to alleviate it, and we urge the Arab League to show good leadership in this.
We understand the concern that discussions around Darfur suggest external interference in the workings of a member state. However, recognising the gravity of the situation, it becomes incumbent on organisations like the Arab League to find a viable solution, as it is quite clear that Sudan itself needs outside support.
It is now time to speak with one voice, to help the needy, protect the weak, stop the killings and build a new peace.
Signed:
Friends of Al-Aqsa
Crescent International
Islamic Aid
Islamic Human Rights Commission
Muslim Aid
Muslim Council of Britain
Muslim Association of Britain
Federation of Student Islamic Societies
Woman's Rights Association Against Discrimination (Turkey)
Organization of Human Rights and Solidarity for Oppressed People
(Turkey)
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
Australian Federation of Islamic Councils
Citizens International (Malaysia)
Organization for Defending Victims of Violence (Iran)
Arakan Rohingya (Germany)
Sufi Muslim Council
Muslim Bar Association of New York
Minhaj ul Quran International (Pakistan)
Minaret
British Muslim Forum
Jamiat Ahle Sunnat
Muslim Global Relief
Helping Hands
Faith Matters
Crescent Life
Muslim Canadian Congress