According to Webster’s Dictionary, genocide is defined as ‘the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group.’ It was seen in World War II during the Holocaust and is still seen today in some African countries.
Darfur is a region of Sudan of racially mixed tribes. In February 2003, two Darfurian rebel groups attacked the Sudanese capital. The government responded by enlisting the Janjaweed, militia drawn from the local Arab tribes, to stop the attacks.
Since then the Janjaweed have used different tactics such as rape, displacement, starvation, and mass murder to commit genocide. Since this conflict began, over 400,000 people have been killed and over 2 million have been displaced into refugee camps, but the violence not only occurs towards Darfurians but also against humanitarian workers.
At this moment, the Sudanese government is at the front of the international debate of when is it necessary for someone else to step in and intervene. Thus far no major world power is willing to send their forces over to help stop the crisis at the risk of violating state sovereignty. Sudan has, however, allowed in peacekeeping forces from UNAMID, African Union forces. This is UNAMID’s first peacekeeping mission and has been considerably ineffective since they are there to protect the humanitarian aid instead of the people.
“Most people don’t have a clue where Darfur is, much less the Sudan,” said student Scott James Parris, “Which is one of the bigger problems when you’re dealing with genocide in small countries.”
While Parris has a point, there are many different organizations and campaigns involved in raising awareness and persuading the government to step in and help.
Invisible Children is an organization that raises awareness to the ongoing 22 year civil war in Uganda. They focus mainly on the use of child soldiers by the rebel army and ways that they can be helped. For more information you can visit www.invisiblechildren.com.
Enough is a campaign to stop the epidemic of violence against women in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. On Oct. 31, 2007, they introduced the International Violence Against Women Act. The Act will direct the President to develop a strategy to prevent violence against women in cooperation with the United Nations. For more information on how to help you can visit www.enoughproject.org.
SEAL is a campaign focused on lobbying China. China buys about 60 percent of Sudan’s oil and sells them weapons. China has also used its influence to help Sudan avoid UN sanctions. Throughout April there will be rallies in 10 states to target 13 sponsors, such as Coca Cola and General Electric, of the 2008 Olympic Games. These sponsors have enough financial influence to ask China to protect the Darfurian people before the games begin in Beijing.
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people that campaign to fix human rights injustices. In January 2008 over 30 countries hosted protests to close down Guantánamo due to the inhumane treatment of inmates and the illegal detentions. Amnesty is also involved in International Women’s Day to stop violence against women at home and in schools, the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and they are also campaigning for a legal Arms Trade Treaty. You can join Amnesty International for as low as $15 a year, however, for more information you can visit www.amnesty.org or to show support for the tearing down of Guantánamo, you can visit www.tearitdown.org.
STAND, a student anti-genocide coalition, is the fastest growing student national land organization and they focus mainly on raising awareness to genocide.
There are over 600 high school and college chapters nationwide including one here at ETSU.
“We live in a global society so we should all be aware of the problems outside of America such as global warming and genocide,” said James Miller, the president of the ETSU chapter of STAND, “With technology you can learn so much more about the problems that are going on.”
STAND meets every third Thursday of the month. If you are interested in getting involved you can visit www.standnow.org or contact James Miller at zjsm34@goldmail.etsu.edu.

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