Friday, July 23, 2004
( 11:59 AM )
Finally
Our Congress is finally calling it what it is in Darfur: genocide. Of course, it's not news here in the U.S. But at least it's been said. You have to acknowledge reality before you can transform it (thank you, Paulo Friere) - so this is the first good step.
The US Congress says the government must seek a UN resolution to authorise a multinational force to protect the displaced civilians and aid workers in Darfur.
The resolution of the US House of Representatives - adopted unanimously by 422 votes and 12 abstentions - says the Bush adminstration should call the atrocities in Darfur "by its rightful name: 'genocide'."
Up to 100 people were allegedly buried here
It urges the Bush administration to consider "multilateral or even unilateral intervention to prevent genocide should the United Nations Security Council fail to act".
Many of those who have fled their homes say Janjaweed militiamen patrol outside the camps, killing men and raping women who go in search of food or firewood.
Now, if only the president would acknowledge the truth and urge the UN to do the same so that we can begin to actually use our vast resources to save people's lives rather than destroy them.