Human rights activists are preparing to mark a grim fourth anniversary of the
Darfur conflict with demonstrations around the world. CSFDarfur, a member of
Save Darfur Canada, a Canadian coalition and Globe for Darfur, an international
group of non-governmental organisations, is organising a third international day
of action for April 29 in BC. The global theme is “TIME IS UP: PROTECT DARFUR
NOW”.

The day will commemorate the fourth anniversary of the Darfur conflict that has
killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced 2.5 million. Organizers
are hoping to use the day to draw more attention to the plight of the Darfur
people and to encourage urgent action by the international community to
pressure all sides to stop the violence and respect the ceasefire.
CSFDarfur is looking for organisational partners to endorse, participate and
promote our rally in Vancouver and a Walk in Nanaimo. Visit ?
www.SaveDarfurCanada.org for action in other Canadian cities and towns.

1)In Vancouver CSFDarfur has planned a rally from 2-4pm at the Vancouver Art
Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC. We plan to have two performers and
a DJ. We will make tables available to humanitarian, aid and human rights
advocacy groups who agree with why we are holding the rally noted below.
The Rally will feature speakers including two high school students, two
politicians, and two people from the faith community. If you have speakers to
recommend or will like to speak, contact us at info@csfdarfur.net.
If you or your organization will like to participate, have a table, help us
promote or fund the rally the rally or volunteers, contact us as well at
info@csfdarfur.net.

2)In Nanaimo, CSFDarfur chapters are holding a walk and a rally between 11.30 am
and 3 pm. If you live in and around Nanaimo and will like to help contact
Michelle Fries at mfries_21@hotmail.com

Purpose of Global Day for Darfur on April 29, 2007

I. Security
The African Union (AU) peacekeeping forces in Darfur are under-funded,
undermanned, and in need substantial reinforcements now. The AU is not able to
stop the violence, does not have the capacities or mandate to protect civilians,
and has been requesting UN reinforcements for the past year. Canada must
provide the AU with increased financial and logistical support now and until a
UN peacekeeping or joint force can be deployed.

UN forces will be a necessary component of an effective peacekeeping force to
protect civilians in Darfur. In August 2006, the UN Security Council adopted
Resolution 1706 to send 20,000 blue helmets to the region, and in December, the
Government of Sudan (GoS) agreed to a joint UN-AU deployment of similar size.
Months later, the GoS has reneged on its agreement, and the international
community has no ?plan B? in the works. Canada must host and convene an
international meeting of delegates to develop, define and put into motion a
?Plan B? solution to the crisis. Furthermore, Canada must assume a lead
role in rallying international players to commit to, and provide the necessary
resources for, an effective multinational intervention force with a clear
mandate to protect civilians

As the Darfur conflict is spreading to neighbouring countries, ?Plan B?
will likely involve multinational peacekeeping deployments to Chad and the
Central African Republic to contain the humanitarian and security crises. It
will also require targeted sanctions against those orchestrating international
crimes against civilians in Darfur.

II. Humanitarian Aid
Humanitarian aid agencies provide essential food, shelter, services and medical
care to more than 3.5 million Darfurians, who depend on international
assistance for their day-to-day survival. And yet aid organizations have been
forced to drastically scale back operations, due to attacks on aid workers and
insecurity in camps. 300,000 Darfurians are currently without access to
international relief due to security challenges, and many populations receive
intermittent assistance because deliveries are looted en route. Canada and the
international community must maintain diplomatic pressure to ensure that
humanitarian organizations operate without threats to their security, and that
they gain and retain unfettered access to all of those who need their help.

International aid contributions have been inadequate to support populations in
need in Darfur. Food rations in many camps are at half or two thirds of the
UN?s minimum daily requirement levels due to insufficient funding, and many
men, women and children are going hungry. Medical assistance is either
available only to those in the most dire need, or is not available at all due
to limited resources and staff. Canada and the international community must
ensure that the humanitarian aid life support system, which has kept millions
of civilians alive in Darfur, does not break down or deteriorate due to lack of
resources.  Furthermore, the flow of aid and resources must continue so long as
there are populations in need.

III. Peace Process
The Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) of May 2005 is not sufficient groundwork for a
sustainable peace: it must be revisited and supplemented to incorporate all
parties to the conflict. The amended DPA must include international monitoring
and compliance mechanisms, and provide for the verified disarming of Janjaweed
militias. The Darfurian people must also be brought into an inclusive
Darfur-Darfur dialogue, to participate in the ongoing peace process. Canada
must support the peace process, providing financial, logistical and diplomatic
support where required.

TIME IS UP: PROTECT DARFUR NOW

Canada must lead the international community with a sense of urgency, committing
resources and making Darfur a top diplomatic priority.

Canada must also uphold and invoke the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect, a
Canadian initiative adopted by the UN, which mandates the international
community to protect innocent civilians from extreme harm when a sovereign
nation is unable or unwilling to do so.

Wear a green ribbon for Darfur

—
In Solidarity With Humanity

Clement Abas Apaak
Chair, Canadian Students For Darfur
www.csfdarfur.net
TC 317, Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6
Canada