Politics.be - Stop de verkrachtingen in Darfoer: zondag 10/12/2006

Dit persbericht werd aan de wereldpers verzonden... maar de belgische media blijven monddood!
betoging zondag 10 december om 16u aan het justitiepaleis, Poelaartplein, Brussel.

MEDIA RELEASE

PROTESTS IN FORTY COUNTRIES DEMAND AN END TO RAPE IN DARFUR

Events in over forty countries around the world will today (Sunday) demand an end to rape and sexual violence in Darfur.
Women will gather around the world in capital cities and outside Sudanese embassies where they will set off rape alarms and blow whistles to draw attention to the levels of rape and sexual violence in Darfur.

The Global Day of Action for Darfur is calling for the immediate deployment of an international peacekeeping force, with the mandate and capacity to effectively protect civilians.

The day of action comes as a new report shows that despite rape and sexual violence being used as a weapon of war and displaced women being attacked on a daily basis, not a single person has ever been convicted of raping them.

Halima Bashir (not her real name) survived being gang-raped and tortured In Darfur. She will be talking out for the first time and attending the demonstration in London. She said, “Janjaweed militia and Government soldiers attacked a primary school for girls, raping the pupils. They were aged between 8 and 13. They were in shock, bleeding, screaming and crying. It was horrific. Because I told people what happened, the authorities arrested me. They said, ‘we will show you what rape is.’ They beat me severely. At night, three men raped me. The following day the same thing, different men. Torture and rape, every day, torture and rape.”

To coincide with the day women leaders from around the world have published an open letter which appeared in yesterday’s (Saturday’s) newspapers around the world. The letter signed by Stateswomen from Mary Robinson (former President of Ireland) to Edith Cresson (former Prime Minister of France) said that,“The situation in Darfur constitutes one of the most serious attacks on women’s rights anywhere in the world.” It called for “Pressure to be stepped up and maintained until the Government of Sudan accepts an international peacekeeping force”.

The events are being organized by the Globe for Darfur, a coalition of dozens of organizations around the world including Amnesty International, the Darfur Consortium (a coalition of over forty African NGOs campaigning on Darfur), the Save Darfur Coalition, Women’s Groups and many others.

Amir Osman speaking on behalf of the Globe for Darfur said;“A terrible crime against humanity is taking place in Darfur and it is worsening by the week. We’re now at a turning point. Either the international community can turn its words into actions and hold the government of Sudan accountable for its violations, or it can turn its back on the people of Darfur. Today thousands of people right across the globe will be saying, enough is enough- our governments must do more to end the mass rape and slaughter.”

Events are still being scheduled but there are already events in countries including: Australia, Bahrain, Benin, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Finland, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Luxemburg, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, UK, USA.
- ENDS -

de BBC schrijft er wel over:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6165017.stm