Darfur Vigil Outside China Mission in NYC 3/30

Vigil to Protect Civilians in Darfur
Friday, March 30th 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Across from the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations
1st Avenue(between 35th and 36th sts.) New York, NY 10016

Wear United Nations blue to show your support and express the need for a UN Peacekeeping force in Darfur.

Use these slogans if making your own signs:
-Invest in peacekeepers
-China: Actions speak louder than words in Darfur
-Protect Civilians in Darfur
-Send peacekeepers, not weapons

Why Target China?

China is the leading foreign investor in Sudan, with an annual trade value of roughly $1 billion. In the past several years, China has developed a number of oil fields, built a 900 plus mile pipeline, as well as a refinery and a port. Sudan represents China's largest overseas investment, worth at least $3 billion, and Sudan is the third largest supplier of oil to China. China's trade in oil with Sudan has close connections with arms dealing. Many of the helicopter gunships used by Khartoum were purchased from China using expected revenues from oil extracted in South Sudan. Amnesty International has documented the effect of China's arms exports to Sudan, noting that Chinese equipment has been used by the Government of Sudan and Janjawid in operations in Darfur.

In addition to the enormous effects of China's arms deals with Sudan, China, as the key trading partner of Sudan, is in a unique position to affect the atrocities in Darfur. UN Security Council Resolution 1706, which called for the deployment of UN peacekeepers to replace the isolated and ineffective African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) was not supported by China which, along with fellow permanent member Russia and rotating member Qatar, abstained from the vote. The result was a mixed message to Khartoum about the international community's commitment to finding a viable security arrangement for the people of Darfur and eastern Chad.

It is incumbent upon China, as much or more than any other international actor, to do all it can to address the tragedy in Darfur and Chad. As a key supplier of arms and funds to the Khartoum government, China is especially responsible for the continued violence in Darfur at the hands of the Government of Sudan and the Janjawid. Furthermore, by virtue of its close relationship with the Government of Sudan, China is one of only a few actors that can exert pressure to end the targeting of civilians in Darfur, and fulfill commitments Khartoum has made to disarm the Janjawid and adhere to its responsibility to protect civilians in Sudan.

Contact: mkennis@aiusa.org