Without action in Darfur, history will repeat itself

WE WISH to express our grave concern about the plight of the people of Darfur.

Unless the world community acts swiftly, we may be about to witness one of the worst atrocities perpetrated against a race of people in our own lifetime.

Since 2003, when the current conflict began, the international community has watched and dithered in its response.

Already, at least 200,000 people are estimated to have died and more than two million displaced during the three-year conflict.

Despite the fact African Union forces have been given an extension of their mandate to remain in Darfur, their numbers are limited and they are unable to offer the protection needed to prevent the continuing harassment, rape and murder of the people of Darfur.

The Sudanese government continues to oppose the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force (agreed by the security council on August 31), and instead is amassing troops and weaponry in Darfur in what can only be the prelude to a major offensive in the region.

The world is well aware of the tactics of the Sudanese government and the Janjaweed militias against the people of Darfur and the appalling crimes that have been committed there.

One of our group has witnessed this terrible suffering first hand. We are all aware of the Rwandan massacres.

We cannot stand by and allow another African holocaust to happen.

We urge the Irish Government to put pressure on the Sudanese government to agree to the deployment of the international peacekeeping force with whatever measures are at its disposal, and to keep Darfur as a priority until its people are given the international protection they so desperately need.

Dr Joan Giller

Schull Amnesty International Group

Lowertown

Schull

Co Cork