The Hottest Place in Hell

According to Martin Luther King, Jr., "The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict." If Dr King were here with us today, I believe that he would unequivocally agree that the recent expulsion of aid groups in the Darfur region of Sudan has brought us to such a time of great moral conflict.

Last week, after the International Criminal Court issued a much deserved arrest warrant for Sudan's president Omer al-Bashir on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, Bashir brazenly responded by kicking 16 desperately needed humanitarian aid organizations out of the country.

In subsequent days, the silence from world leaders on this potential death sentence for the millions of Sudanese trapped in IDP camps has been deafening.

Over the weekend, as news organizations blared headlines such as "Dancing Bashir scoffs at Darfur warrant" and "Defiant Bashir vows to expel more aid groups," I searched the news waiting in vain for contrasting headlines announcing the condemnation of this action by world leaders such as Barack Obama, Gordon Brown and Nicholas Sarkozy, all of whom have repeatedly professed their concern for the people of Darfur.

The UN estimates that the expulsions will leave 1.1 million people without food, 1.5 million without health care and at least one million without drinking water. Additionally, a meningitis outbreak is threatening the lives of tens of thousands of refugees who now lack vaccinations and medical treatment. Time is clearly of the essence.

Understandably, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) trapped in camps have expressed shock and dismay at the unresponsiveness of the international community. Darfur activists have been similarly outraged by the world's silence.

Thankfully, on Tuesday, President Obama finally stepped forward to make a statement. "It is not acceptable to put that many people's lives at risk," he said. "We need to be able to get those humanitarian organizations back on the ground."

Obama's words were late, but still a welcome relief. Perhaps now the other world leaders will emerge from their cocoons of neutrality. We expect more of them than silence in the face of such murderous conduct. It is time for Western as well as African, Arab, and Chinese leaders to denounce this action by Omer al Bashir that threatens the lives of more than a million Muslims.

In addition to words, these leaders must back up their condemnation with clear multilateral consequences if this disastrous decision is not immediately reversed. An indicted war criminal should not be allowed to jeopardize the lives of a million innocent people while the civilized world stands idly by.

Our leaders must understand that either one is against this grave injustice or one is for it. Neutrality, and the resulting silence and inaction, is not an acceptable moral option.

Comments

[Jezreel]

While I wholeheartedly agree that al-Bashir should be put to death for his crimes against humanity, I admit that I wondered whether the the arrest warrent for al-Bashir wasn't more of a death sentence for the millions of refugees in Darfour than an act of deterrence against a rogue ruler.

IMO if the ICC and the UN are not able to do anything more than provide lip service regarding the refugees and the aid workers, the arrest warrent should not have been issued.

al-Bashir is a mad man. No amount of outrage or outcry from world leaders will end his tyranny without military action. And no Western country is willing to commit its military to fighting in Africa. Unless other African nations rise up against this tyrant, he will remain in power.

I just don't understand why more thought was not given to the potential consequences of the the arrest warrent before it was issued.

[Jezreel]

Error noted. It's "warrant", not warrent.

[Thornrose]

Only one comment so far? One? Shame on us. Unless this article just appeared in the last 5 minutes, there is no excuse for us not even taking the time to comment on this horrendous issue, much less dragging our feet in letting world leaders know the time for action is NOW.

If you haven't already taken a few minutes to express your support for the people in Darfur and the Sudan, please do so now through websites such as www.savedarfur.org. I refuse to believe that millions of our voices won't make a difference.

Thank you.

[Susan Morgan - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, Thornrose. One action people can take is to send a text message to Hillary Clinton at 90822. Ask her to move immediately to pressure Bashir to reinstate the licenses for the aid organizations.

Thank you!

[Thornrose]

I just emailed the Secretary of State to pressure Bashir about this issue. Thank you for the suggestion.

[Jezreel]

OK. I've just sent the email and the postcard to Sec. Clinton and Pres. Obama respectively. Thank you, Susan for keeping this issue alive on HuffPo.

[Jezreel]

Thank you, Thornrose.

[prodemdss]

Like the quote by M.L.K., sooo true.
I have to remain positive; there will be alot of writing and talking going on now; keep up the good coverage, and we will keep supporting the groups to Save Darfur and encouraging our good President and the U.N., the I.C.C..