What is the most important human rights issue we face today and how would you go about resolving it?

     Genocide is defined as the systematic and planned extermination of an entire national, racial, political, or ethnic group. After millions were killed and tortured during the Holocaust the world made a promise: “Never again.” This was a promise that world leaders have failed to keep. We need to put words into action or eventually there will be no one left. Many genocides have taken place since the Holocaust: Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and the horror continues in Sudan today. The genocide in Darfur is the first genocide of the 21st century and currently, the world’s most important human rights issue. As citizens of the world, it is our mission, our moral responsibility, to help put an end to genocide once and for all.

     Darfur is a region about the size of Texas in Western Sudan and is home to many different ethnic groups. In 2003 a Darfur rebel group attacked a government base hoping to gain control and representation. The government responded by setting out to eliminate any ethnic group, to which the rebels were linked, mainly the three main non-Arab tribes: The Massalit, the Fur, and the Zaghawa. Now, in their 6th year, the Janjaweed Militia and the Sudanese Government have been raping, killing, and torturing millions of innocent Darfurians. Over 400,000 have been killed and nearly 2.5 million displaced. 5,000 people continue to die every month. The Janjaweed militia and Sudanese government continue to go into the Darfur Villages. Typically, they loot and burn the village, kill the men and rape the women. Then, the women are forced to walk dangerous miles of desert with their children to wherever the nearest refugee camp is. Once they arrive at the camp they are not completely safe either. Refugee camps are over-crowded, disease ridden, and still vulnerable to attack. There is also a lack of food and water. The women in the camps have to make the lose-lose decision of going into unsafe territory for firewood or well water, or having their families starve to death. As the hours go on lives are being taken. The world can turn its back on Darfur no longer.

     Many efforts have been made on behalf of the victims of genocide in Darfur. There have been countless rallies, organizations (such as STAND, Save Darfur, The Enough Project, etc.) established, and books written, yet world leaders have procrastinated on this huge human rights violation. Recently, the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President, Omar Al Bashir. This is a huge step forward, but at the same time, a step backward. Bashir got angry and expelled thirteen humanitarian aid operations that provided relief and medical attention to the victims on the grounds in Darfur. Diseases like meningitis are now spreading rapidly through the camps and malnutrition is a bigger concern then ever. Bashir’s trial is still in the process. McGovern, a representative and Darfur Activist said “President Bashir has a choice. He can choose to let the humanitarian groups return; he can choose to end the violence and the killing; and he can choose serious negotiations for a just and lasting peace. Or he can continue to commit crimes against humanity — crimes with which he is already charged — and charges that will one day catch up with him and bring him down.” Later that day, McGovern was arrested for civil disobedience at a protest in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington, D.C.

     I am a president of the STAND (the student led division of the genocide intervention network) chapter of Mamaroneck High School. I took on this role because I want to educate people on present day genocides, conflicts, and human rights issues and help the victims. In January I attended a STAND conference in Washington, D.C where I collaborated with members of other STAND chapters and learned a lot about the situation in Darfur, the Congo, and Burma. I listened to guest speakers like John Prendergast who is a strong activist and founder of the Enough Project. He was extremely inspiring and I went home and read his book, “Not on Our Watch.” I learned even more but there is an endless amount to learn on such serious issues. Every year my STAND chapter hosts the “Jam for Sudan.” It is an outdoor concert which raises money for the International Medical Corps who provide refuge and aid on the grounds in Darfur and other conflicted areas. In addition I have attended Save Darfur rallies, helped plan a fundraiser where nearly $100,000 dollars was raised, and continue to educate and aware people every chance I get. People won’t do anything unless they are aware and when everyone comes together… that is when something will get done.

     A lot of people think that just because this genocide is occurring half way across the world, it won’t affect us and therefore doesn’t matter. These people are extremely wrong. What if the next genocide happens in America? Then could we count on the nations we didn’t help while genocide was happening in their country? No. America does provide aid and send provisions, but clearly this is not enough. We need to set a good example for other world powers by sending in large peace keeping forces to Darfur. If a joint effort is made by the world powers, any fight can be won, and any fire extinguished.