Worldwide protests put focus on Darfur

Protests are to take place in 30 countries in the coming hours to highlight the crisis in the Sudanese region of Darfur, where at least 200,000 people have died in more four and a half years of conflict.

A demonstration is due to be held in London, and other events are scheduled from Vancouver to Accra.

Under the slogan "Don't Look Away" organisers of today's protests are demanding action from world leaders when they meet at the United Nations General Assembly next week.

Simultaneously a letter focussing on the murder and rape of Darfur's women has been released by well known personalities, including the actresses Cate Blanchett and Mia Farrow.

The demonstrations come at a critical time.

Peace talks are planned to be held in Libya and the Sudanese government has promised a ceasefire, once negotiations are underway.

British Govt hopeful

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown described Darfur as "one of the great tragedies of our time".

But he told the BBC he believed that there was now a real chance of a settlement.
Mr Brown says he is encouraged by three factors: peace talks due next month, the offer of a ceasefire by Sudan, and the planned deployment of a hybrid African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force.

He says Sudan now has to honour its promises.

"If that were to happen, we'd be prepared to give economic assistance so that the people of Darfur were in a better position and we can start to rebuild," he said.

"If it doesn't happen however, and all the promises are not honoured, then I think we've got to be pretty clear.

"That's why I've said, and I believe other countries will say, if it doesn't work and we find that the government of Sudan is not making the changes necessary then we will have to move to further sanctions."


- BBC