For Immediate Release -- Thursday, June 29, 2006
FAITH GROUPS URGE PRIME MINISTER TO DO MORE FOR DARFUR
Toronto: The United Church of Canada has joined with 21 other faith groups in writing to Prime Minister Stephen Harper commending the Canadian government for recently increasing its contributions toward ending suffering in Darfur, Sudan, but also strongly urging that more be done.
"Canadians welcome the recent Darfur Peace Agreement but remain deeply concerned about the continuing crisis and the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations in their efforts to address the increasing need for food, medical attention, and shelter in the region. Sustained security will be required to stabilize displaced populations and enable aid organizations to attend to their needs," says the letter, which was signed by representatives of Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, and Muslim faith groups.
"Canada's positive contribution to the peace process and its recent pledges to the humanitarian agencies operating in Darfur and to the African Union's mission in Sudan are important and praiseworthy initiatives," says Wendy Gichuru, the United Church's program coordinator for East and Central Africa.
She adds, however, that the international community, including Canada, needs to pay much greater attention to the security of civilians in Darfur.
"Both parties to the Peace Agreement continue to violate the ceasefire and the Government of Sudan has a long history of signing agreements only to renege on its obligations," says Gichuru.
She explains this is why this fragile agreement requires substantial additional support from the international community, including sustained pressure on the Sudanese government, if it is to succeed.
In addition, she says, the faith groups' letter asks the Canadian government to
* increase Canada's diplomatic presence in Khartoum
* press on with its international leadership role on Darfur, paying particular attention to ensuring that the signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement abide by the conditions and timetable to which they have agreed and that all ceasefire agreements are observed
* be a fair share contributor to the necessary financial, material, human, and logistical resources to fully support a guarantee of security in the region through a United Nations peacekeeping presence to enhance the African Union's efforts
* work with others in engaging all diplomatic means available to address the legitimate concerns of groups that either do not yet form part of the Darfur Peace Agreement or that have a direct stake in a resolution of the conflict, including rebel groups, civil society organizations, and victims
* immediately increase contributions to humanitarian relief efforts such as those of the United Nations' World Food Programme beyond the recently announced commitments
Gichuru says the faith groups hope to have the opportunity, as a follow-up to the letter, to meet with the Prime Minister to discuss their call to action for Canada to help bring real and lasting peace to Darfur.
For further information, please contact: Mary-Frances Denis Communications Officer The United Church of Canada 416-231-7680 ext. 2016 (business)
Wendy Gichuru Justice Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit 416-231-7680 ext 4038 or 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4038.
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