Page 14 - Iton 4

So what can you do and why should you do it?
SAMPLE LETTER
When we learn about the Shoah we are

amazed at the silence of the world. We are Dear
also humbled by those that resisted and
I am writing to you as a matter of urgency regarding the situation
those that fought back. Can we continue to in Darfur, western Sudan. As you will be aware there has been a
wave of violence over the past four years against those of black
educate that ‘never again’ should the African descent living in the area. Cautious estimates are that
holocaust happen or that the world should 200,000 people have been murdered, although many
humanitarian and campaign organisations suggest it is more
have spoken while our families were likely that 400,000 people have been killed, with violence, gang
murdered if we do not speak out for those rapes and forced displacement also taking place.

that find themselves in the same position Whilst I support Tony Blair’s recent statement that there is a
need for a ‘no fly zone’ over Sudan, these words must be
today? Will we too be confined to the history coupled with action. The no fly zone must be pushed for at the
books as the bystanders – the people that United Nations, alongside the deployment of a UN peacekeeping
force along the Chad-Darfur border.
could download google earth and zoom in over
Darfur and see the destruction and the IDP Statements are of no use to the vulnerable people of Darfur
unless they are turned into a reality.
camps (try it), read about it on the internet, Additionally I ask you to address the situation in the UK of
watch it on our televisions and still say and do detaining and deporting of asylum seekers back to Khartoum,
Sudan. Not only does this put individuals in huge danger but
nothing? sending asylum seekers back to Khartoum, the capital city from
where the government-backed violent regime is organised,
sends a message to the Sudanese government that the UK does
So here is what you can do. If you are not recognise the gravity of the situation in Darfur. The UN High
Commissioner for Refugees has recommended that it is too
reading this from the USA the Save Darfur dangerous to deport Darfuri asylum seekers back to Sudan. I
urge you to challenge this policy of the Home Office Immediately.
coalition is a remarkable group of NGOs that
are coordinating the campaign. The Jewish Please keep me updated on any developments in relation to
Darfur.
community in the USA is heavily involved in
the Save Darfur campaign and in particular Yours sincerely
the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) has been instrumental in the coalition. Get involved
by lobbying President Bush to enforce the sanctions he said he will against Sudan, check if your
state has divested its pensions out of Sudan and if not campaign for them to do so.

If you are reading this from the UK you can be writing letters to your MP, Gordon Brown, and the
Chinese Embassy. Tell them what they should be doing about Darfur. You may have heard that the
UK government has tried to deport several asylum seekers back to Khartoum which is effectively
a death sentence, and we need to ensure this does not happen. The Jewish community is now
taking an instrumental role in the campaign in the UK and if you want more concrete ideas be in
touch with me!

And if you are reading from Israel there is lots for you to do! Israel is now home to about 350
Sudanese asylum seekers. Many are in prison, where they end up as citizens of an enemy state.
There is a coordinated campaign to try and release them. HAED Darfur is an organisation that
has been coordinating much of this work along with the Migrant Workers Hotline. Sign up to their
emails so you can stay informed.

Would we have accepted the excuse in 1942 of ‘I am too busy’ or ‘other things are more
important.’ I very much doubt it

Useful websites

www.ajws.org - USA based
www.protectdarfur.org – UK based
www.aegistrust.org – UK based
www.savedarfur.org – USA based
www.hotline.org.il/english/news/2006/Hotline122306.htm - Israeli based

N.B all these websites have useful information where you can read further about the conflict