Crisis in Darfur

21st Century Genocide : 

21st Century Genocide The Crisis in Darfur Shanna Hitt Mr. Vega English 11A Photo: https://www.msu.edu/

What Would YOU Do If… : 

What Would YOU Do If… You lived in constant fear for the past six years? You watched your child die because you couldn’t reach medical care? You were displaced from your home after the burning and looting of your village? You couldn’t leave your village to gather water without risking sexual assault? Photo: http://www.genocideintervention.net David Johnson

Research Abstract : 

Research Abstract This project seeks to raise the public’s awareness of the genocide in Darfur and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. The current crisis has affected millions of civilians in Sudan and neighboring countries, by use of fear and government sponsored militias. Rape is also a common weapon used in Darfur for many reasons, some of which are genocidal in nature.

Darfur : 

Darfur Is one of Sudan’s most neglected regions Includes over 30 ethnic groups comprised of either Africans or Arabs Most of the civilians identify as Muslims (Eyes on Darfur; “Genocide in Darfur”; “What is Genocide?”) Photo: http://www.minndakjcrc.org

How the Conflict Began : 

How the Conflict Began In February 2003, the opposition groups SLA (Sudan Liberation Army) and JEM (Justice and Equality Movement) attacked GOS (Government of Sudan) troops. They stated the assault was in protest of the economic marginalization of the area and the failure to protect local citizens from attacks by nomadic tribes. (“Darfur History”)

The Government Responded By: : 

The Government Responded By: Launching a counter-insurgency campaign Using a scorched earth policy Hiring, arming, and training the Janjaweed- comprised of local Arabs (Genocide Intervention Network)

The Janjaweed… : 

The Janjaweed… Terrorize and burn homes and villages Murder and displace non-combatants Loot and burn food supplies Enslave and rape women Torture civilians (Genocide Intervention Network; “Darfur History”) Photo:http://www.huffingtonpost.com

Civilian Deaths in Darfur : 

Civilian Deaths in Darfur 79% of total civilian deaths are caused by the Sudanese Government and the Janjaweed 88% of those killed by the above groups are civilians 65-75% of all fatalities in Darfur are civilians 70% of civilians are killed in what appear to be one-sided attacks (Genocide Intervention Network)

Since 2003 in Sudan… : 

Since 2003 in Sudan… “300,000 men, women, and children have died 2.6 million people have been displaced from their homes An unknown number of women and girls have been abducted, raped, and abused A generation of children has reached school-age not knowing a home” (“Darfur History”)

…And in Other Countries : 

…And in Other Countries 110,000 civilians of Chad have been displaced 150,000 citizens of the Central African Republic have also become refugees (Eyes on Darfur)

Genocide as Defined by USHMM… : 

Genocide as Defined by USHMM… Using any of the following acts with the intention to obliterate, in total or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group: (“What is Genocide?”) Photo: http://www.dailykos.com

…Is Taking Place In Darfur : 

…Is Taking Place In Darfur Murdering group members Causing serious physical or mental harm to group members Purposely inflicting conditions of life planned to cause annihilation to the group in total or in part Imposing measures intended to check births inside the group Forcing the move of the group’s children to a different group (“What is Genocide?”)

The Crisis in Darfur is GENOCIDE : 

The Crisis in Darfur is GENOCIDE Based largely on the clash between the Arabs and Africans living in Sudan(Genocide Intervention Network) Photo: http://www.daylife.com Photo: http://themorningsidepost.com

In Darfur : 

In Darfur Sexual violence is being broadly used as a systematic weapon of war against girls and women. (Reeves) Photo: (top) http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk (bottom) http://donaldmeissner.com

Rape is Used To… : 

Rape is Used To… Disgrace and devastate families and communities Demolish women’s support systems Prevent births of African children Demoralize the population Cause fear (Reeves; “Background and Ongoing Impacts”)

When Rape Occurs: : 

When Rape Occurs: 82% of women were raped while pursuing their normal daily activities 4% of women reported that the rape occurred while fleeing their home village (Reeves) Photos: (top) http://www.solutions-site.org (bottom) http://www.flickr.com

Rape is Typically Accompanied by Further Violence: : 

Rape is Typically Accompanied by Further Violence: 28% of the victims testified that they were raped numerous times, by either single or multiple perpetrators 50%+ of the victims reported being beaten with sticks, whips, or axes, or inflicted with other physical violence (Reeves)

Women Who Become Pregnant After Being Raped… : 

Women Who Become Pregnant After Being Raped… Are often treated as criminals Are often subjected to brutal treatment by police (Reeves) Photo:http://www.dailykos.com

Effects of Rape on the Victim : 

Effects of Rape on the Victim Physical trauma Mental harm Social abandonment (Reeves) Photo: http://twoandtwomakesfive.blogs.com

Further Effects Include: : 

Further Effects Include: Victims are less valued as potential wives Disease and infection threats Medical complications that affect child-bearing abilities (Reeves)

Effects of Rape on Darfur : 

Effects of Rape on Darfur The collapse in Darfur’s food production is directly associated to the continued risk of sexual violence The threat of sexual violence hinders the collection of firewood, water, and animal feed, all of which are basic survival items in Darfur The intimidation results in a decay of confidence and morale inside camps (Reeves)

Rape in Darfur is Considered to be GENOCIDAL : 

Rape in Darfur is Considered to be GENOCIDAL Due to the racialized nature of the sexual attacks Due to efforts of impregnation to produce Arab children (Reeves)

How Can You Help End the Genocide? : 

How Can You Help End the Genocide? Protest for more government action in Darfur by petitions or lobbying Congress Raise public awareness of the crisis by joining or starting a local group Raise funds and donate to humanitarian aid efforts Participate in humanitarian aid efforts Host a film screening of “One Night, One Voice”

Works Cited : 

Works Cited "Background and Ongoing Impacts." 29 May 2008. Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. 22 Apr. 2009 <http://www.uusc.org>. "Darfur History." Amnesty International USA. 2009. 22 Apr. 2009 <http://www.amnestyusa.org>. Eyes On Darfur. 2007. 22 Apr. 2009 <http://www.eyesondarfur.org>. "Genocide in Darfur, Sudan." Darfur Scorecard. 2008. Genocide Intervention Network. 23 Apr. 2009 <http://www.darfurscores.org>. Genocide Intervention Network. 2008. 24 Apr. 2009 <http://www.genocideintervention.net>. Reeves, Eric. 2004. 27 Apr. 2009 <http://www.sudanreeves.org>. "What is Genocide?" United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. 4 May 2009. 23 Apr. 2009 <http://www.ushmm.org>.