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Darfur genocide - US needs to ACT!

By Beth Robinson | December 15, 2007 |

Peace on Earth, good will toward men.

Have you heard these words this Christmas season? The genocide continues in Darfur. Resolutions are passed but there is no action to protect the people. 

This past week I watched the new HBO movie, Sand & Sorrow, narrated by George Clooney, who was trying to explain why the genocide continues. It prompted me to again contact my representatives urging them to support ACTION.

I have part of my 401k with Fidelity. I recently found out they have NOT completely divested their holdings in Darfur. If you have Fidelity holdings, you may also want to write the company asking that they divest completely. Here’s my letter:

To: Ms. Anne Crowley, Senior Vice President, Media Relations and Public Affairs
Subject: Darfur — Fidelity divest

Money makes the world go ’round. Stop the money. Stop the genocide in Darfur. Formally adopt a public policy against investing in companies that support genocide in Darfur. Please let me know your decision within the next week. I realize that my funds with Fidelity are not a huge amount but I will move my funds to another plan if you do not divest ALL holdings in Darfur. My Fidelity accounts are: 401(k): 79999 $99999 & 401(k): 89999 $99999.

While I am heartened by Fidelity’s initial steps to divest from PetroChina Co. and Sinopec Corp., I urge you to divest ALL of your holdings in these companies.

Fidelity’s continued investments in these companies are providing precious funds to the Sudanese government to continue its horrifying genocide of the Darfurian people. Moreover, your still-substantial holdings in these companies are sending a message to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir that Americans are willing to fund his genocidal campaign. Before any more people in Darfur are killed, raped, or forced to flee to insecure refugee camps, Fidelity should sell its remaining PetroChina and Sinopec shares on the New York Stock Exchange and divest all its holdings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Demand implementation of Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (DPAA)

TO: Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) , Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), & Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN 7th)

I heartily support any actions the US can take to stop the genocide in Darfur. Nearly two-thirds of Americans – 62 percent – support the use of asset freezes against Sudanese leaders guilty of organizing and executing the genocide, according to a poll by the Genocide Intervention Network.

The DPAA was supposed to go into effect in November 2006. There is no point in passing legislation without implementing it. Although the law is nonbinding, it should still be implemented to increase the pressure on Sudan’s genocidal government. Funding for UN troops to protect the people is very important. This tragedy has already gone on far too long. I urge you to push for swift action on S. 2271, the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Authorization Act of 2007. What can we say when asked “Where were you during the Genocide of Darfur’s non-Arab people”?

For more info: http://savedarfur.org

About Beth Robinson

Tennessee native. Computer Systems Analyst - 24+ year career in computer industry. BS, Computer Science, 1983 TTU. MA, Instructional Technology, 1999 APSU. Friends of Dunbar Cave. Audubon. Sierra Club. World Wildlife Fund. League of Conservation Voters. Active member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clarksville (UUFC). UU Service Committee. UUFC Social Action chairperson / Green Sanctuary chairperson / Youth group advisor.

Web Site: http://www.geocities.com/beth_robinson/

Email: beth_faith@hotmail.com

Sections: Opinion, Politics
Topics: Darfur, Genocide, Peace, Politics, Sudan

One Response to “Darfur genocide - US needs to ACT!”

1. Scott Beasley Says:
   December 17th, 2007 at 7:23 pm

   I saw the documentary as well and the international community was reluctant to call it “genocide” for some reason. Our government took the lead and President Bush declared it genocide but has yet to actually DO anything about it. It would be extremely difficult to do anything other than using international pressure through the UN, but for some reason unknown to me, feet are being dragged. I actually had a financial advisor suggest Fidelity and I did not choose to invest in them, but I had no idea of their links to companies in Darfur. I would specualte that they aren’t the only ones out there though. it is time to actually DO something rather than passing meaningless resolutions or sanctions. The International community needs to use some TEETH to stop this UNBELIEVABLE horror which is still happening.

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