Darfur survivors speak out

The UA campus learned about the atrocities of Sudan's western region of Darfur Thursday night from three sources who have experienced them firsthand.

"Voices from Darfur," hosted by University Programs and sponsored by the Community Center, Capstone International, College of Arts Sciences and New College, featured survivors of the Darfur genocide who are touring the country to raise awareness.

Barrett Sullivan, director of issues and ideas for University Programs, said he believes the speakers will help people see Darfur as an actual place, not just another advertisement on the wall.

"We see images or posters - it's almost unreal - like a fantasy," Sullivan said. "Actually taking a part of that tragedy and letting people see it with their own eyes will make it hit home with, and go out and make a difference, not just treat it as they treat the 10 o'clock news."

The keynote speaker, Daoud Hari, fled his village in 2003 after months of bombing by the Sudanese government. His brother was killed in the conflict. He risked his life to relay the reality of Darfur to reporters from The New York Times and BBC, and was imprisoned while translating for The Chicago Tribune.

"The U.S. is the country who has the power to protect the people of Darfur," Hari said. "But nothing has been done."

Hari gave chilling accounts of rape, kidnapping and beheadings. Another speaker noted that he recently returned to his home village to find no one there.

Hari also spoke of China, a close partner of the Sudanese government that feeds off Sudanese oil and supplies them with weapons.

"China has its own troops in Sudan killing the people of Darfur," Hari said. "China's oil in Japan from Sudan was bought with the price of the blood of the people of Darfur."

Hari stressed appreciation for the medicine and supplies that have been sent from the United States, but stressed that security was the primary need. Speakers noted that neighboring Chad is sometimes a safe haven for refugees, but many are sent back on orders from the Sudanese government. Many children die on the way from conditions of the desert.

"I don't believe there is a set recipe for Darfur," Sullivan said. "This event is about raising awareness and raising funds to help find a cure for Darfur."

Speakers noted that the United Nations has been ineffective for Darfur. They stressed that those involved must ask the White House and Congress to get involved, and to put pressure on China.

More than 400,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since 2003 when the Sudanese government began supporting the Janjaweed militia.

Money was taken up at the door, and all funds go to the Save Darfur Coalition. Students interested in helping can go to savedarfur.org for a list of opportunities, and 1800genocide.org to lobby their congressional representatives to take action.