Darfur Activism in Canada: Small Actions, Large Impact

by Michelle

Published October 08, 2008 @ 06:44PM PT

Kudos to students from Bonnyville Centralized and Grand Centre high schools in Alberta, Canada: They walked 20 kilometers for a local Walk for Darfur, and raised over $2500 for humanitarian relief.

Speaking of Canada: While Darfur was discussed at a presidential and vice presidential debates in the US, the issue is largely absent from the Canadian national elections, according to a former minister of justice.

Perhaps the politicians should follow the example of their young fellow citizens in Alberta.

Why Genocide?

by Michelle

Published October 08, 2008 @ 05:00AM PT

I'm often asked what draws me to this subject, and I never know how to answer.

I've spent quite some time trying to figure it out--from the initial exposure to the horrors of the Holocaust in 7th grade through years of study focused on  genocide and state-sponsored mass atrocity. My conclusion? Genocide is the single worst scourge, the most wretched, brutal, vile product of mankind. We shake our heads, shed a tear, an promise "Never Again," and yet it happens again. And again, and again. And it's happening right now.

I want this site to be a comprehensive resource on genocide, providing background information (which I will continue to build, over the coming weeks and months) and on-going commentary, and connecting you with other activists, organizations, and opportunities for action. And I want your feedback. Not just feedback--engagement. Participation, even.

I'm part idealist, part realist: Never Again must be achieved, but getting there will require monumental effort.

This is part of my effort. I hope you'll join me.

The Obama and McCain Doctrines on Intervention

by Michelle

Published October 07, 2008 @ 10:30PM PT

First, I would like to reproduce Tom Brokaw's question on humanitarian intervention from last night's debate in its entirety, because I was so happy he asked it, I nearly jumped out of my chair.

"Let's see if we can establish tonight the Obama doctrine and the McCain doctrine for the use of United States combat forces in situations where there's a humanitarian crisis, but it does not affect our national security.

Take the Congo, where 4.5 million people have died since 1998, or take Rwanda in the earlier dreadful days, or Somalia.

What is the Obama doctrine for use of force that the United States would send when we don't have national security issues at stake?"

Read More »

Darfur at the Vice Presidential Debate: The Good, the Bad, and Why it Matters

by Michelle

Published October 07, 2008 @ 07:05PM PT

Last week's vice presidential debate included refreshingly strong language on Darfur. Both candidates agreed on the need for a no-fly zone over Darfur, and Senator Biden proposed possible NATO intervention and called on the U.S. to lead the push for a full deployment of UNAMID. (The Sudanese foreign ministry is less than thrilled.)

Read More »

Daily Darfur

by Michelle

Published October 07, 2008 @ 03:54PM PT

• The Genocide Intervention Network weighs in on yesterday's LA Times op-ed about the indicted Rwandan general serving for UNAMID. (More thoughtful than my post yesterday, but I'd also point, not written at 5:30am.)

• "France is extremely worried about the situation in Darfur." Not only that, they "urged Sudanese officials to freeze a government offensive in the province." Now, I know that more than that goes on in high-level diplomatic meetings--quite a bit of advocacy and diplomacy goes on "behind the scenes"--but sometimes I wonder why they even bother issuing such feeble statements to the public.

• And in other news that you already knew: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon warned that the security situation in Darfur is deteriorating. In more useful news, he also said that Ukraine may donate much-needed helicopters to UNAMID.

More Bad News for UNAMID

by Michelle

Published October 07, 2008 @ 04:36AM PT

Yet another peacekeeper was killed in an ambush on the joint-AU/UN force, UNAMID, in Darfur. Troops came under fire from 40-60 bandits near Nyala, though it's not yet clear if the men have any affiliation.

Since its creation, UNAMID has been fatally underresourced, lacking the equipment, helicopters, and troops necessary to fill its mandate--which includes, among other things, ensuring humanitarian access and protecting civilians.

By creating UNAMID, the international community could have made great strides towards realizing its commitment to end genocide and mass atrocity, but instead has heaped another level of shame on its record of response to Darfur by deploying force too ill-equipped to even protect itself. Arguments that UNAMID is too broken to fix may be valid, in some part, but what alternative do we have for at least achieving some semblance of civilian protection?

Top 10 Recommended Readings on Genocide

by Michelle

Published October 06, 2008 @ 08:17PM PT

My list of must-read books, blogs, columns...and one must-listen podcast.

Read More »