A humanitarian catastrophe has been underway in Darfur, Sudan since 2003. Darfur is the western province of Sudan, and is inhabited predominantly by black non-Arab people. The government of Sudan is located in the eastern part of the country and is predominantly Arab. Since 2003, the government has supported a military operation to clear Darfur of its black population. During this time, over 400,000 people have been killed and approximately three million displaced from their homes. As the conflict drags on, a grave humanitarian crisis is worsening. Food, water and medical-supply shortages in the Displaced Persons Camps are getting worse every day, and the conflict has become so dangerous that many NGO’s are stopping their humanitarian aid programs in the region. This past July, the United Nations finally sanctioned a resolution that calls for 26,000 troops to protect the people of Darfur and facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid. However, eight months later only 9,500 troops are on the ground in Darfur. A number of countries have indicated willingness to contribute troops to the mission; however they all require financial and military backing from more affluent nations. These are two areas where Canada unarguably has the necessary means to take a leadership role. 

Since 2003, many organizations have sprung up in Canada to raise awareness and lobby the Canadian government. Save Darfur Canada, STAND (Students Taking Action Now Darfur), Walk for Darfur (Alberta), and the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity are prominent examples of these impassioned initiatives. These movements have made great progress in raising awareness in the Canadian public. In spite of this, the Canadian government has failed to assume the leadership role in the Darfur crisis that the Canadian population demands it embrace. In response to this inaction, we propose to unite all concerned Canadians around a common initiative.

After five years of inaction, we cannot afford to wait any longer. All concerned Canadians must unite. Despite the difference of opinions in our political parties and our various organizations, we all believe that the devastation in Darfur is unacceptable and that Canada has a responsibility to take affirmative action. In support of this common belief, we aim to unite academic and political institutions as well as the Canadian public at large around a common set of demands, and to make a concerted effort to engage the government and convince them that action is imperative. 

As we see with the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity, where you lie on the political spectrum is irrelevant on this vital issue. We believe that our demands will be endorsed by members of all the four parties. By creating an active campaign across the country, we will obtain much media coverage, clearly demonstrating the commitment and the will of Canadians. It is essential that the government know that Darfur is an issue that its citizens are truly concerned about. Darfur must become an electoral issue. With a concerted effort by the Canadian public and our members of parliament, the government will have to act. 

We intend to approach the government with a series of petitions, calling them to action. These petitions will be presented on a daily basis throughout the month of May. On the last day that the House of Commons is in session, we intend to have a significant number of members of parliament from all four parties, to stand up and present one of our petitions on Darfur. The presentation of a petition consists of a minute speech by the MP during which he makes a personal plea regarding the content of the petition. If a large number of MP’s were to present on the same day, this process would be up to an hour long, strongly drawing the attention of all members of parliament and the government. This technique has never been tried before, and it has the potential of having a rippling effect. There have already been a number of pieces of legislation tabled by different MP’s laying out effective measures that Canada should implement, to help stop the crisis. Hopefully, after witnessing such a relentless call upon the government for action regarding Darfur, the government will treat these pieces of legislation with more urgency. 

This is an ambitious goal but, as we have seen from the many impassioned efforts by people across the country, it is possible. What it will take is a mass publicity effort at our universities, CEGEPs, and high schools. We will have to bring this campaign to our religious and community organizations, and to our local newspapers and radio stations. When people hear about Darfur and see the devastating images of the situation there, it is impossible to remain unmoved. As more and more people become aware of this issue, our politicians will become more actively concerned. Through uniting our campaigns with this petition, we will have a stirring effect. 

In the next month our campaign consists of lobbying members of parliament from all four parties. We would like them to endorse our initiative and present one of our petitions in the House of Commons in the coming month. These MP’s will also be part of the bipartisan team of MP’s that will call upon the Canadian Government on June fifth to make stopping the humanitarian crisis in Darfur a priority. 

As Canadians we are responsible for the actions, and for the inaction, of our government. It is easy to get discouraged by politics and to feel disenfranchised and powerless. What is difficult is to recognize the unique power that we do have, and the responsibility we have to exercise it. Living in a democratic country, the government is forced to respect the will of the people when, together, the people demand something. If we come together with a single voice and demand action in Darfur, the government will have no choice but to respond. 

If we work together to circulate the petition to as many people as possible, raising awareness about Darfur, we will make a difference. The impact of this movement is going to be the direct result of our commitment and involvement. I encourage you to engage your local member of parliaments, regardless of the party that they belong to, and compel them to present a petition in the House of Commons. Contact your past high schools and arrange to give a presentation to the students 

Canadians for Action in Darfur will:

1. Lobby Members of parliament from across the country to present one of our petitions to the Canadian Government.
2. Present at community centers, churches, shopping centers, high schools, CEGEPs and universities.

This is our chance to show the government what we as Canadians care about. If the Canadian government steps forward and takes a leadership role on the issue, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands ... even millions ... of people in Darfur. This is our opportunity. We can make a difference. As Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Dan LeRoy
Canadians for Action in Darfur