Not On Our Watch, a Book Review

I just finished reading Not On Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond. Co-written by a celebrity, the book received notable recognition. I got my copy for supporting a Save Darfur campaign. The authors, Don Cheadle (Crash, Hotel Rwanda, Oceans 11) and John Prendergast, create a balance in the book so that it is as personal as it is informative. Prendergast, a former official in the Clinton administration, has traveled and worked for peace and equality in Africa for many years and in many capacities. His knowledge and experience with African conflicts are vast, as illustrated in this book. Don Cheadle did not necessarily impress me with his writing, but he contributes a realistic perspective from a non-professional activist. The authors explain the background of the conflict in Darfur as well as their personal paths to being involved in ending the genocide. Sudan has such a long history of war, with many parties involved. The most difficult thing about the current situation is the ambiguity of information. To say the least, it is a confusing subject, with many disputed details. Still, the chapters in Not on Our Watch are succinct and informative. The main idea of the book is how to put activism in action to end genocide in Darfur and prevent it elsewhere. Prendergast gives great insight on why problems in Africa are so quickly ignored and why the United States imparticular is guilty of neglecting conditions violating human rights. “In order to win peace in Sudan,” Prendergast writes, “we must first win an ideological battle at home. We must show that combating crimes against humanity is as important as combating terrorism.” Not only are Americans less concerned with humanitarian needs, they are also apathetic toward yet another tragic story in Africa. After so many famines and wars, the world stops listening. This is called “conflict fatigue.” Prendergast concludes that in order to promote stability in Africa, “we need to build a popular constituency for Africa.” In other words, if people are aware of the positive accomplishments in Africa and the potential thereof, a response from the general public and consequently prominent world powers would meet problems in Africa with optimistic solutions rather than pity. The strategy of the Save Darfur Organization, as well as the authors of this book, is to encourage American citizens to take political action to end the genocide. Rather than just donating money to support the victims, Americans must use their voices to get to the root of the conflict by petitioning their representatives.

But it took me a few more years to figure out that while food and medicine were crucial, they were not the sole solutions. I began to see the political roots of the lack of response from my country and the larger Western world. – John Prendergast

The book outlines “Six Strategies for Effective Change:”

• Raise Awareness
• Raise Funds
• Write Letters
• Call for Divestment
• Join an Organization
• Lobby the Government

The authors illustrate how in the past these strategies have been effective in humanitarian crisis situations globally and in Sudan. I would recommend this book for it’s informativeness and readability. I think the message of this book can be summed up in this quote by Gerald Martone, International Rescue Committee:

In the public portrayal of humanitarian situations our profession has often reduced massive suffering to a charitable appeal. The depiction of reprehensible brutality is simplified to merely needing benevolent relief. Humanitarian emergencies are not merely health crises, they are epidemics of human rights abuses. We must communicate complex situations as moments for international action not merely remedied by Western do-gooders and the provision of supplies. Our communication should invite action, outcry, and engagement.

In Our World

There is so much happening in the world right now. I like to use this blog to inform my readers of things that might not get much coverage on CNN or Fox News. These things are significant and may be mentioned in the American news, but let’s be honest and admit that Obama and Hilary are dominating the headlines these days.
To the North of me, war could be possibly breaking out in Lebanon once again (see link under Headlines). I ask that you pray for the people of Beirut and Tripoli, the cities being affected. Lebanon has had so little time of peace in the last 20 years. In fact, the last war that broke out in Lebanon was during the summer I spent here in 2006. People poured into Amman to escape the violence and instability. The government desperately needs to negotiate with Hezbollah and bring peace to their country once and for all.
The situation in Sudan worsens by the day. A few weeks ago the government attacked a school, killing a number of children. The rebel forces, despite their name, are actually fighting for justice and equality in the region of Darfur. They are making progress as they gain momentum towards the capital, Khartoum, but of course the increase in combat brings more death and danger to the innocent villagers that are the greatest victims of the genocide.
Finally, there is Burma (Myanmar). I feel some sort of attachment to these people after working with many of them in Atlanta at World Relief. Their government has abused and discriminated against them with dictatorial rule. Peaceful protesters are jailed, and many people of minority groups find help only in refugee camps in Thailand. After the cyclone hit last week, the government proved to be even more heartless and irrational by not allowing aid workers in to help the one million displaced survivors. Over 100,000 people died from the flooding and lack of food and supplies in the days after. What disturbs me most is the lack of movement across the globe. Close to 2,000 people died from hurricane Katrina. It was broad casted all over the world. Various organizations, families, and individuals raised and donated money to the Red Cross. I just wonder how people are okay with putting a higher value on American lives than the lives of common villagers in a less significant nation like Myanmar. The loss there is so much greater, yet only a handful of people seem to really care. The Burmese people affected by this cyclone are intelligent people with lives and jobs and families. Their government won’t even help them, so we must. Please pray for the survivors of the cyclone and consider donating toward a relief fund.

More info on Helping Cyclone Survivors
Background info on Burmese Government
Map of Cyclone Damage

Art, War, and Human Rights

This post is a culmination of all the news I’ve been thinking about this week as well as the art that helps me think about it.

On Wednesday the BBC put out an article about the war trials in Uganda. For those of you who don’t know about the situation there, it is quite similar to that of other countries in East Africa. The thing that distinguishes its conflicts from other wars and genocides is the targeting of children as soldiers and sex slaves by the Lord’s Resistance Army. The LRA has been terrorizing the region of Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan for years. Finally the LRA, led by Joseph Kony, is set to face a prosecution at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, The Netherlands. This is the first I’ve looked into the ICC past the acronym. It was established in 1998 for the purpose of unbiased prosecution of those who have committed crimes against humanity. The LRA is arguing that it should only face the local traditional court in Uganda and has since suspiciously moved its leader off its base, violating a ceasefire agreement (BBC article). The ICC is supposed to only convict those that have not faced punishment in there own nation, but I have to question the legitimacy of Uganda’s local justice system. The LRA is demanding the ICC to drop charges before it continues with former agreements in Uganda. I intend to do more research on the ICC and its role in East African conflicts as well as its relationship to the United Nations. My first reaction, however, is that those who have committed such atrocities against man kind should face grave consequences and international scorn. That may sound harsh, but how much longer can these kinds of crimes go on?

Uganda’s neighbor, Sudan, is worsening by the day in its Western region of Darfur. The violence is so turbulent that aid workers are unable to get into the region. Basic food rations are unable to reach the area, compounding the problem in Darfur. In spite of receiving unprecedented coverage in the United States, the situation is slowly improving and will probably get worse if those working on policy and peace treaties can’t get to the bottom of the Sudanese government’s role in the genocide.

Please remember Darfur as you look forward to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. China has funded Sudan’s weapons and missiles for years and is imperative in ending the genocide. China’s withdrawal of support to Sudan could help end the killing much sooner than policy makers could ever hope. Recently China has also been in the spotlight for it’s role in Tibet. The topic is mainly popular because of the role of the Dalai Lama in the past few years. Although Tibet isn’t facing a physical genocide, the Dalai Lama claims it faces a cultural one due to the alleged oppression by China. I just want to know, who gave the 2008 Olympics to China, anyway?

The greatest humanitarian crisis occurring right now is in Gaza. It has recently been dubbed
“the world’s largest prison.” I don’t think better words could be chosen. Like in Darfur, it is increasingly difficult for aid workers to bring in supplies and rations. In Darfur, guerrilla fighters are creating the danger (although the government is likely behind it), but in Gaza, it is an established government boldly and unapologetically not allowing basic items to reach human beings with virtually no rights. Situations like this make me wonder how we distinguish terrorists from soldiers and presidents from tyrants so easily.

On Sunday I went to an art exhibit in Amman. In a quaint, refurbished building overlooking the city, Lebanese photographers were featured. Many of the pieces were extremely creative, as well as highly disturbing. Lebanon has had very little time of peace since it’s first civil war. I am thankful for people that put the pain of there experiences into art, because art that comes from war is some of the most moving. There is also irony in the creations that result from acts of destruction. As I looked over the photographs of collected ammunition, abandoned homes, and exploding hillsides, I couldn’t help think of the people in Gaza. I have no idea where I’ll be in a few years, but working towards peace and reconciliation among those in the disputed territories would be a dream come true. I found a video recommended by Ralph Nader that gives hope of future peace among the conflicting cultures of the Middle East, at least peace in the hearts and minds of individuals. Encounter Point

Everything that’s happened this week has reminded me of an artist I am fond of, Bartolome Murillo. A Spanish painter, he was one of the first to paint the peasant class. The picture below, The Young Beggar, shows something very familiar to most people but to most art of his time. I appreciate art that speaks truth. Murillo’s art gives a glance into the society at that time, not at the society’s desired perception. There a lot of places in the world that don’t want to be seen for what they are – broken. But art like Murillo’s and posts like this are made for the reason that Abraham Lincoln put so eloquently: “I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts.”

Situation in Darfur Still Volatile

I received this update today from the UNHCR. Despite the continual efforts by various parties to stabilize Sudan through peace treaties, it is evident that the violence in the region of Darfur still rages. There is a lot of evidence that the Sudanese government is linked to the Janjaweed, the rebel force responsible, yet the government does not even acknowledge the countless lives that have been lost since 2003. The genocide in Darfur is unique because it is the first mass killing to be called a genocide before it is over. This gives hope that the world is finally ready to prevent another Holocaust or another Rwanda. Regardless of efforts like the Darfur Now documentary, which effectively shows the legislative progress being made toward justice for all in Darfur, the murders still continue and show no sign of ceasing anytime soon.

Men on horses burn villages

Dear Refugee Supporter,

The UN Refugee Agency is providing humanitarian assistance to over 12,000 refugees from Darfur who recently fled their homes following a series of ground and air attacks on their villages.

Refugees report that their villages were attacked by men on horses and camels – most likely the Janjaweed militia. Villages were looted and burned, and encircled by militia to prevent people from fleeing. Thousands of families have been left destitute and terrified.

“The humanitarian situation of these people is disastrous,” said Jorge Holly, head of UNHCR’s field office in Guereda. “These people are terrified. Our team found a large number of unaccompanied minors and separated children among them. Women reported having been raped in Darfur.”

The newly arrived refugees say that many more—mostly women and children—are on their way to Chad. UNHCR is working to move these new refugees away from the volatile border region and into camps. Once settled in the camps UNHCR will provide relief items, including sleeping mats, blankets, jerry cans and kitchen sets.

This new influx of refugees from Darfur comes amid growing insecurity throughout the region. Last week the capital of Chad was attacked by rebel forces. Nearly 30,000 Chadians fled into Cameroon to escape the violence.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Coburn
Acting Executive Director
USA for UNHCR

In the News

** Spielberg in Darfur snub to China **
US filmmaker Steven Spielberg withdraws as an artistic adviser at the Olympics over China’s role in Darfur.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7242016.stm >

I saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you should see it. Many celebrities are using their fame for good causes, which I respect, but Spielberg is actually sacrificing his career for a cause. It is nice to see something boycotted for a reason other than money. I encourage you to read this article (click the link above) and, although it sounds extreme, consider boycotting the 2008 Olympics until China withdraws its support of the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Ironically, China’s theme for this year’s Olympics is “One World, One Dream.” The Save Darfur campaign is pleading with China to “bring the dream to Darfur.”

**Turkey Divided over Headscarf Ban**
Turkey’s parliament has voted in favour of overturning a ban on the Islamic headscarf in universities.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7239330.stm

This story has made me think a lot about “secularization” and how skewed it has become. A Turkish university student was quoted saying that secularization is about democracy, and democracy is about making choices for oneself. He is exactly right. So why does it seem like it is taking rights away? I’m reminded of the prayer in school debate in the States. The government shouldn’t make anyone pray, but does that mean no one should be allowed to pray at all? So now Muslim girls can’t cover because it threatens the secular state. Who and what are they threatening with their modesty? Many are afraid of the full chador being worn if the headscarf is allowed. Ironically, in nearby nations, women are fighting for the right to not wear a full covering, as they see it as oppressive.
It seems that people are simply afraid of everything. They are afraid of theocracy, socialism and tyranny so they swing the pendulum the other direction and call it secularization. The country I live in is not secular; it is quite Muslim. Here it is illegal to convert to another religion. So call me an anarchist, but it seems to me that no matter where you live, the government always wants to control something or someone, secular or not.