Darfur genocide protest – call for EU & UN action.
London, UK – 23 December 2004
“Islamist racists are responsible for the genocide in Darfur. They are slaughtering black Africans in a deliberate policy of ethnic cleansing,” said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Mr Tatchell was speaking at the “Save Darfur” protest outside the Sudan Embassy in London today, Thursday 23 December 2004.
The protest was organised by the newly-formed Darfur Solidarity Campaign, which is supported by Mr Tatchell. He told the protest:
“The best hope for Darfur is ending the Islamist military regime in Khartoum. Without a government committed to democracy and human rights, there can be no freedom and social justice for the people of Sudan and Darfur. All Sudanese – Arabs and Africans, northerners and southerners – have a common interest in overthrowing the Islamist military dictatorship.
“It is time the international community stopping wringing its hands and started taking action to halt the mass killing and starvation in Darfur.
“Darfur is a needless, preventable humanitarian tragedy, caused by the complacency and inaction of the African Union, United Nations and European Union.”
Mr Tatchell urged urgent international action to halt the growing humanitarian disaster:
“The Darfur Solidarity Campaign calls on the AU, EU and UN to stop the genocide in Darfur by,
- “Enforcing a no-fly zone over Darfur to halt the Sudanese bombing of African villages
- “Sending a 15,000-strong peace-keeping force into Darfur to protect the civilian population and aid workers, and to keep the warring factions apart
- “Imposing sanctions against the Sudanese government leaders and the leaders of the Janjaweed militia
“Commencing proceedings in the International Criminal Court to put the Sudanese and Janjaweed leaders on trial for crimes against humanity”