- Target:
- China
- Region:
- GLOBAL
- Website:
- www.designersfordarfur.com
All countries have a responsibility to stand up for the people of Darfur.
China’s economic, political, and military ties to the Sudanese government, however, give it considerable influence over Sudan’s decisions. Sudan’s relationship with China has allowed part of the country to prosper even as the Sudanese government commits horrific atrocities on its people.
We must pressure China to do more to help end the genocide. Following are some reasons why:
Sudan’s economy rests on China
Sudan’s economy is heavily dependent on foreign direct investment, and China is its biggest investor.
- • China purchases nearly three quarters of Sudan’s global exports, and provides nearly a quarter of its imports.
• Sino-Sudanese ties have continued to grow closer even as Sudan’s atrocities continue. Just recently, the Chinese National Petroleum Company decided to co-develop a large Sudanese offshore oil block.
• China provides Sudan with significant economic assistance. In February 2007, as the killings continued, China offered Sudan unconditional loans for infrastructure, including a new presidential palace, and wrote off $80 million in Sudanese debt.
• While China does provide modest humanitarian aid for Darfur, the amount is negligible compared to the economic crutch it gives the government in Khartoum.
China is allowing Sudan’s military to wreak havoc in Darfur
Chinese funds are bolstering the Sudanese military, which is responsible for many of the atrocities in Darfur.
- • China has helped Sudan construct weapons manufacturing facilities and has sold Sudan large amounts of military equipment, much of which has ended up in Darfur.
• China buys much of Sudan’s oil, and according to an ex-finance minister of Sudan, 70% of Sudan’s oil profits are dedicated to military expenditures.
• China’s Minister of Defense, while meeting with a Sudanese counterpart in April 2007, said that China was “willing to further develop cooperation between the two militaries in every sphere [italics added].”
China has given Sudan diplomatic cover in the UN
China has blocked several international efforts to hold Sudan’s genocidal regime accountable for its actions.
- • On several occasions, China prevented the United Nations from taking strong action against Sudan, using the threat of its veto in the UN Security Council to weaken or obstruct passage of punitive measures such as sanctions.
• China helped the Khartoum government thwart deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission to Darfur, even though the mission was authorized by the UN Security Council in August 2006. This is the first time the UN has failed to deploy such an operation once approved by the Security Council
• Even though China did play a constructive role in July 2007 to enable the authorization of a hybrid United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur, many reports suggest that it also helped weaken the resolution before it passed.
CHINA MUST BE COMPELLED TO DO MORE!
Consulate General o f China
520 West 12th Avenue
New York, NY 10036-1003
Dear Ambassador Peng Kiyu,
We are writing to express to you our deep concern regarding the ongoing atrocities taking place in Darfur, Sudan. We are writing as members of the fashion and apparel industry (Designers for Darfur) which utilizes Chinese contractors for an extremely high percentage of our overall international manufacturing. As valuable businesses contributing greatly to the Chinese economy, we call on China to take the following steps to protect the millions of people who have fled their homes in Darfur and face the threat of starvation, disease and rape, as well as the hundreds of thousands still in their homes who are at risk of displacement, torture and death:
1. Immediately provide half of the transport helicopters that UNAMID requires, with support from Europe and the United States for maintenance and contracting arrangements.
2. Support punitive measures, such as UN Security Council targeted sanctions, against Khartoum officials, until peace and security for Darfur is achieved. UN targeted sanctions should be imposed immediately against government, rebel, or militia officials who are responsible for undermining UNAMID’s deployment, the North-South peace deal, or regional stability, such as attempting to overthrow the government in neighboring Chad.
3. Verifiably suspend all military cooperation with the Khartoum regime, including weapons transfers, until peace and security for Darfur is achieved.
4. Work with the United States, France, and the United Kingdom in a quartet supporting UN and African Union initiatives in Darfur, Southern Sudan, and Chad. This cooperative work on the peace process needs to be comprehensive. The problems of Darfur, Southern Sudan, and Chad are intertwined, so unless peace is advanced on all of these fronts it will be unlikely to be achieved on any of these fronts.
The actions outlined above will allow the Chinese government to convince the world that it is truly committed to a peacekeeping role in Darfur and, more importantly, contribute to the end of the suffering of millions of Darfurians.
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The Four Steps China Must take to End Darfur Crisis petition to China was written by Malcolm Harris and is in the category Human Rights at GoPetition.