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A bi-weekly audio series and podcast service, hosted by Committee on Conscience Project Director Bridget Conley-Zilkic, that brings you the voices of human rights defenders, experts, advocates, and government officials. Vital voices addressing one of humanity's most vital issues. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not necessarily represent those of the Museum.
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11/28/06
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 Earlier this year, the United Nations established a new Human Rights Council to replace the discredited Human Rights Commission. Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed the Council's creation by proclaiming "a new era in the human rights work of the United Nations." He talked about "outstanding leadership" and "transformation" and "a historic achievement." He even "venture[d] to hope" that within five years the Council would be so respected for its work protecting human rights that there would be a general will to amend the UN Charter to make the Council a principal organ of the UN -- on a par with the General Assembly and the Security Council. Unfortunately, it hasn't taken the new Council long to disgrace itself, and today the new era effectively died aborning when the Council rejected an attempt to hold the Sudanese government responsible for halting atrocities in Darfur. Instead, it adopted a resolution that tepidly called on all parties to stop abuses. It even praised Khartoum and urged the government "to continue and intensify its cooperation with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms." Even before today's burlesque, Human Rights Watch's Peggy Hicks marveled that the Council "already has garnered a level of condemnation that its predecessor took decades to achieve." The Council meets in Geneva, but it might as well be in cloud cuckoo land for all the good it's doing to protect the human rights of civilians in Darfur. (Photo © The Urban Spaceman.)
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11/23/06
11/22/06
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We have held three student conferences on Darfur at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Save Darfur Coalition has also held numerous meetings and conferences. STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Constituency is holding regional conferences this year. With each successful gathering, we pat ourselves on the back and thank the attendees for traveling long distances and dedicating their time to such an important and difficult issue.
Two weeks ago, a similar such event was held in Khartoum. A United States-based Initiative for Inclusive Security, a program to involve women in peace processes around the world, convened a Conference in Khartoum to facilitate women taking the lead on bringing peace to Darfur and Southern Sudan. The attendees in Sudan traveled long distances and gave of their time, but they also risked their lives. Samia Ahmed Nihar, a lecturer at Khartoum University said:We were frightened all the time. We were scared that we could be arrested or even our families would have problems, because of what we were doing… People were giving their lives in the struggle, so it seems a small sacrifice [for me to risk being] arrested.” The Christian Science Monitor reported that the conference resulted in a published agenda for the women’s groups of Sudan “urging them to advocate that 30 percent of positions in all levels of government are filled by women, with an eventual target of 50 percent. The agenda also includes scrutinizing legislation of its impact on women and pushing for a fair share of donor and government money.”
The courage and strength of these women to stand up for peace in such a dangerous place should inspire us all to do our part.
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11/16/06
11/09/06
10/26/06
10/19/06
10/05/06
9/28/06
8/24/06
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Interview:
Freelance journalist and Congo native, Mvemba Dizolele talks with Jerry Fowler about the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on the meaning of the recent elections. He addresses many of the complications undermining the election such as it's size, the various warring militia groups, its mineral riches, and the committment of the international community. To learn more, visit Mvemba's blog.
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8/17/06
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Interview:
Jane Alao, a psychosocial counselor at the Amel Centre for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture in Nyala, South Darfur discusses the objectives of the Centre--to provide treatment, rehabilitation, direct assistance, awareness and legal aid to victims of torture and rape. She focuses on the story of three cousins who were raped on their way to school in Nyala and the legal proceedings of their case.
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