Our Brothers and Sisters in Darfur Have Suffered Long Enough

The violence is escalating in Darfur: in recent weeks the refugees in Kalma camp, population 90,000, were attacked by the Sudanese army with mortars and machine guns, displaced persons in Otash camp were forcibly and violently moved into the desert -- a highly insecure environment. Oxfam publicly expressed concern that it may be forced to evacuate if the violence worsens and yesterday the head of OCHA, one of the largest UN humanitarian agencies was expelled for his criticism of the outrageously inhumane treatment of the residents of Otash.

Meanwhile China is fully supporting the Sudanese regime. "We are doing normal business with Sudan" a Chinese official boasted to me. I asked him "Would you do 'normal' business with Hitler?" He had no answer. The unwavering support of China gives the genocidal Khartoum regime confidence that it can do whatever it chooses. Khartoum and China know no shame. We must all shout even louder that this must not be tolerated. Make the upcoming Beijing Olympics our loud speaker. Steven Spielberg should resign without further delay. His continued participation is a disgrace. And while we're at it let's make it clear we don't want our president -- who represents us -- attending those games under these circumstances. China cannot host the Olympics at home and underwrite genocide in Darfur. I give up on governments -- this is the moment for all caring people to stand up and be heard loud and clear -- let's hear it for our brothers and sisters in Darfur. They have suffered long enough.

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