Catholic group says U.S. must do more to prevent Darfur genocide

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October 2005

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Catholic group says U.S. must do more to prevent Darfur genocide
Washington D.C. - Catholics for Faithful Citizenship expressed concern today regarding the escalating violence in the Sudanese region of Darfur. Aid work has been halted as increasing numbers of international staff come under attack. The violence may eventually lead to the withdrawal of aid workers in Darfur.

According to Catholics for Faithful Citizenship (CFC), "With nearly 2.5 million lives at stake, the U.S. government and the American media are paying scant attention to this deadly crisis. The situation in Darfur is dire. The choice we face is simple—act now to help save lives and stop the violence or watch as the region deteriorates into chaos and the agents of genocide continue their deadly trade."

A CFC press statement urged U.S. officials to "act now to avoid a renewal of the genocide and must put its full diplomatic weight behind the peace talks." The group also urged American media to pay more attention to the ongoin crisis. "The American media has the power to bring this tragic story to the American people as it did recently in New Orleans. Increased television coverage of the crisis in Darfur has the power to spur the action required to stop a devastating crime against humanity."

"The crisis in Darfur has been ignored long enough," said CFC Director Eric McFadden. "The Government of the United States can and must do more. With the full diplomatic weight of our government and full coverage by our media, this moral and humanitarian crisis can be brought to an end. This is truly one of the 'culture of life' issues that our generation will be judged on by future generations.

"When our Congress and our President recognized the atrocities as genocide last year, but then proceeded to do nothing to stop it, something in our national soul died. We must revive that by refusing to rest until a meaningful, sustainable peace agreement is signed that guarantees full citizenship and protections for the people of Darfur."

For more information:
http://www.darfurgenocide.org/
http://www.savedarfur.org/
http://www.beawitness.org/
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2005/05-211.shtml

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