Act now on Darfur, says Green Party Leader

Ottawa (20 Septembre 2006) - The Green Party of Canada is calling for Canadian statesmanship in response to the escalating Darfur crisis, which has claimed 200,000 lives since 2003. "The already tragic humanitarian situation in the Darfur region of Sudan is close to deteriorating into a Rwanda-scale genocide unless Canada and other key nations immediately engage in a comprehensive and robust plan of action," said Ms. May. The African Union, which is currently providing a minimal monitoring and security function in Darfur, has formally served notice that it will terminate its mission as of September 30, 2006 in order to comply with the demands of the Sudanese Government. The AU mission has also been plagued by a serious lack of financial and logistical resources to carry out its mission, including fuel to power its older-model armoured personnel carriers on loan from Canada. "It would be a tragic failure of leadership if the Conservative government dithers on Darfur in the vain hope that someone else will show the necessary political will to avert a catastrophe," said Ms. May. "This is what happened in the Rwandan genocide and we must not allow a repeat of that failure of political will and heart," she added. The Green Party is recommending that the Canadian government take leadership in rapidly organizing an international emergency initiative that would: Offer new financial, political and logistical support to the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to encourage it to continue its deployment and also strengthen its capacity to protect civilians at risk; Break the logjam in the Inter-Sudanese Peace negotiations between the Sudanese government and all rebel groups by guaranteeing a crucial $100 million to the Darfur Compensation Fund and offer Canadian expertise in governance issues related to domestic power and wealth-sharing; Take the lead in persuading other middle-power nations to contribute alongside Canada to a rapid reaction international force that would be immediately deployed to a willing host country bordering the Sudan, and ready to intervene if necessary under a legitimate "responsibility-to-protect" UN-sanctioned process and mandate; Encourage the UN Security Council to apply sanctions against any party that violates the ceasefire or attacks civilians, humanitarian workers or peacekeepers; Mobilize additional emergency humanitarian aid and support aid organizations struggling to deliver essentials to those in desperate need. - 30 - For more information contact: Camille Labchuk Media Relations Officer Green Party of Canada 613-882-4761