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December 10 is International Human Rights Day
Human rights issues are numerous; NASW highlights here two current day crises that we are working with others to try to change. Please see below information about Darfur with links to several humanitarian organizations focusing on this tragedy of genocide. Equally tragic is the existence of modern day slavery in the United States and world wide. Social workers are employed in positions that directly address policy and practice with victims of slavery. The Practice Update “Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery” provides information every social worker should know.
Darfur
At least 200,000 people are estimated to have been killed in Darfur since 2003 as a result of the conflict between Government forces, allied militias and rebels seeking greater autonomy, and more than 2 million others have been displaced.
Following a meeting in Addis Ababa on November 16, 2006 between the UN, AU, Sudan and representatives of Security Council members and other countries, a communiqué was issued stating that the hybrid UN-AU operation will have about 17,000 troops and 3,000 police officers. This operation is designed to take over from the current AU peace operation in Darfur (known as AMIS), which is approximately 7,000-strong.
Mr. Annan said that the Sudanese Government announced after the Addis Ababa meeting that it needed to discuss several issues – specifically the size and strength of the force, and the appointment of several key posts – before coming back to the other parties with a response. More recently they have rejected the idea entirely.
http://www.globefordarfur.org |
At this time the situation in Darfur continues to be critical and for some is worsening still. With building pressure to take some effective action the member governments of the UN agreed on further efforts. In August the UN Security Council had voted to send UN peacekeepers to Darfur to supplement the African Union force already there. After continued public pressure the UN named a Special Envoy Jan Pronk to Sudan. In October the government of Sudan has stated it is no longer willing to work with Special Envoy Pronk. His contract ends in January.
U.S. has recently confirmed that it will coordinate its Sudan policy with the United Nations though some have advocated action through NATO. The current proposals anticipate the creation of a hybrid United Nations and African Union operation.
Coalitions organized to bring public attention to the crisis in Darfur are keeping pressure on leaders to continue to find solutions.
www.savedarfur.org
On Saturday, November 25, 2006 officials from the UN and the AU signed a memorandum of understanding in Addis Ababa setting out the details of a separate $21 million support package which the UN is providing to AMIS.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/219053/116464611352.htm
More about the Darfur crisis
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/international_justice/darfur/about/background.asp
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