http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/As the Olympic Games draw near, China is trying to minimize the importance of its arms sales to Sudan. As Human Rights First describes in its report, Investing in Tragedy, China is the largest—and at this point, almost exclusive—provider of small arms to Sudan. These weapons are clearly being used to maim, kill and force people to flee their homes in Darfur.ennoreply@blogger.com (JaVon)Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:45:58 PDTBlogger http://www.blogger.com37125http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2009/03/crisis-looms-large-in-darfur.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Wed, 25 Mar 2009 06:41:50 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-8658011998334009602Yesterday the United Nations and the Government of Sudan released a joint assessment that begins to calculate the enormous humanitarian implications that expelling thirteen aid groups from Sudan will have on civilians in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region. The estimates are grim: more than a million people will go without food rations by May and water could run out in some camps for 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2009/03/new-special-envoy-for-sudan-appointed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:53:10 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-9044884087657381461Human Rights First welcomes the appointment of retired Air Force General Scott Gration as President Obama's special envoy for Sudan. The organization has been pressing for the appointment of a special envoy since President Obama arrived to office. We hope that Mr. Gration’s mandate is able to address issues related to Sudan in Chad and the Central African Republic; without such a mandate his 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2009/03/khartoum-must-allow-aid-organizations.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:03:01 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-7797783559934041939Speculation has been building for weeks as to whether or not Sudanese president General Omar al-Bashir would retaliate if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest. Today, shortly after the ICC announced an arrest warrant for al-Bashir, the Government of Sudan began revoking the operating licenses for some of the humanitarian aid organizations providing life-saving 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2009/01/security-council-must-respond-strongly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:35:38 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-2287671960468584320Below is a press release issued by Human Rights First responding to the recent Sudanese government bombing in South Darfur.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------HRF Condemns Government Bombing and Ongoing Violence in Civilian Areas in South DarfurNew York, January 23, 2008 – Human Rights First strongly condemns the ongoing fighting by rebel0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/12/hrf-makes-rare-presentation-before-un.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:26:47 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-4085274140439330994On December 12th Julia Fromholz, Interim Director of the Crimes Against Humanity Program, made a rare presentation before the U.N. Security Council's Sudan Sanctions Committee detailing the organization's findings surrounding ongoing violations to the Darfur arms embargo. Fromholz also presented recommendations on what steps the Committee and Council can take to enforce and strengthen the embargo0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/11/new-un-panel-report-finds-flagrant.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:51:36 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-4820833728209125411Yesterday the U.N. Panel of Experts that monitors implementation of the Darfur arms embargo released its latest report that details flagrant violations to the embargo by all parties to the conflict. You can read the 93-page report by clicking on the link at the bottom of this post. Below is the statement issued by Human Rights First calling on the Security Council to take immediate action to 1http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/11/reports-of-new-weapons-deal-between.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:53:06 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-3801339717814839468Recent reports in the media allege that the Russian Federation has sold 12 MiG-29 fighter jets to the Government of Sudan. Human Rights First has sent a letter to the Russian government asking it to clarify whether or not the sale was concluded and, if so, what steps the Russian government is taking to ensure that the fighter jets are not being used in Darfur in violation of the United Nations 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/11/article-warns-of-arms-race-in-sudan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:35:24 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-2683151706333719362In today's Christian Science Monitor, correspondent Heba Aly explores the intensifying arms race between North and South Sudan, citing the new Human Rights First report on the 30 plus countries that have directly or indirectly shipped arms to the Government of Sudan since the Darfur arms embargo was put in place by the United Nations Security Council. Human Rights First has been calling for the 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/10/huamn-rights-first-releases-arms-to.htmlembargoUnited NationsUnited StatesSudanDarfurChinaarmshuman rightsRussianoreply@blogger.com (Francesca Corbacho)Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:00:40 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-3348962791027470983Last week, Human Rights First reported that over 30 nations may be in violation of the UN arms embargo on Darfur.Arms Sales to Sudan, 2004-2006 uses public data to track international arms sales and clearly shows that large amounts of arms continue to enter Sudan from dozens of nations around the globe. The unrelenting flow of arms into Darfur is fueling violence that has already resulted in 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/09/senate-resolution-call-for-expanding.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:07:02 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-4168188522189718373In a clear bipartisan statement denouncing the flow of weapons to Sudan, Senators Bill Nelson and James Inhofe, along with sixteen other co-sponsors, called on countries to cease selling arms to Sudan.Senate Resolution 660, introduced on Monday, September 16th, calls on arms suppliers—particularly China and Russia—to cease their sales immediately, as “continued sale of arms to Sudan under these 1http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/09/world-food-program-threatens-to-halt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:43:23 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-1092409845263472489On Sunday (September 7th) the World Food Program (WFP) issued a little noticed press release that should have set off alarm bells for diplomats at the UN and advocates alike. The WFP said that banditry has become so severe in Darfur that if things do not get better it will be forced to greatly reduce or end its food distribution in certain parts of the region. Each month the WFP feeds 3 million0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/08/new-attacks-on-civilian-camp-in-darfur.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:03:57 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-2123048376249260583The Sudanese Armed Force’s attack yesterday on Kalma Camp in South Darfur that reportedly left dozens dead is the latest example of the need to enforce and strengthen the Darfur arms embargo. Kalma Camp is home to some 90,000 people who have been left homeless as a result of the violence in Darfur. The camp has long been a hub of unrest and is “awash with weapons” according to a BBC report. The0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/08/peacekpeeing-helicopter-is-attacked-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:11:19 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-1400222447285204779News today that a UNAMID helicopter was attacked in Darfur is the latest evidence of the need to enforce and expand the Darfur arms embargo. UNAMID is the name for the beleaguered United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur. While unconfirmed, it appears that the helicopter was attacked by rebels operating in Darfur. For too long rebel groups have faced little criticism or 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/08/president-bush-urges-china-to-do-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:53:57 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-6055707498458879415President Bush revealed that in private conversations with President Hu on Sunday he urged China to do more to help end the conflict in Darfur. Human Rights First has been pressing President Bush to raise concerns about China’s military and political relationship with the Government of Sudan during his time at the Beijing Olympics.0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/08/us-olympic-athlete-speaks-out-against.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:36:07 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-7404530201801418493While President Bush has thus far remained conspicuously silent in Beijing on China’s military, economic, and political relationship with the government of Sudan, not all American’s have. Lopez Lomong, a member of the U.S. Olympic Team, today in Beijing criticized China’s support of the government of Sudan, which has committed countless atrocities in Darfur. It could not have come from a better 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/08/president-bush-speaks-selectively-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:13:33 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-2221420570943600299President Bush expressed concern last night about human rights in China. He talked about the need for the government of China to extend religious and political freedom to its people, which is undoubtedly true; there is no question that China’s domestic human rights record could and should be much stronger. We appreciate President Bush’s willingness to raise human rights on the eve of the 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/08/china-russia-others-arming-sudan-may.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:17:14 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-6235342690836569465Human Rights First has issued a new background paper outlining some of the implications of the charge by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court that Sudan President Omar al-Bashir has committed genocide. By publicly invoking genocide, the Prosecutor has focused the legal context for governing responses to the crisis on the Genocide Convention. Under the Genocide Convention, States’ 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/08/president-bush-tell-china-to-halt-arms.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:34:43 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-2474754601165125777In route to the Olympic Games President Bush is giving a mixed message as to whether he will confront Chinese President Hu about China’s ongoing economic, military, and political support to the Government of Sudan. In March, Human Rights First reported that between 2003 and 2006 China was providing Sudan with some 90% of its small arms, the weapons of choice for government sponsored militia in 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/08/unamid-negotiations-in-security-council.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:28:33 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-4777318356640036629On July 31st the Security Council passed resolution 1828, renewing the beleaguered peacekeeping mission in Darfur known as UNAMID. The fact that the resolution passed in the late afternoon on the day it was scheduled to expire points to its contentious nature and illustrates the deep divisions within the Council related to Darfur. Indeed, several diplomats involved in the resolution’s 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/07/kristof-takes-aim-at-china.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:57:48 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-5489415390728260131Last week Human Rights First made the case that a charge of genocide against Sudanese President Bashir by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court may put countries that sale weapons to Sudan at risk of violating their obligations under the 1949 Genocide Convention. Today, New York Times columnist Nicolas Kristof weighed in on the issue as well, pointing the finger particularly at China0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/07/countries-shipping-arms-to-government.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:01:22 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-6223579711862998162Today the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno Ocampo, charged Sudanese president Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir with genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes for atrocities committed in Darfur. This is the first time a sitting head-of-state has been charged with genocide. The Prosecutor’s Office began investigating the situation in Darfur more than three years ago 1http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/07/g8-sends-wrong-message-to-sudan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:19:45 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-4838569888686773389Today the G8 released a statement at the conclusion of its annual summit held this year in Hokkaido, Japan. Human Rights First was disappointed that the statement included only a weak paragraph about the ongoing violence in Sudan/Darfur, with no concrete commitments from the G8 on how it would help end the atrocities and help establish a sustainable peace. This represents a step backwards from 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/07/g8-leaders-take-action-against-arms-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:53:41 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-5253326985782082629Today marks the opening of the G8 Summit in Hokkaido, Japan. The agenda this year is filled with a host of critically important issues including soaring food prices and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. African development is also featuring prominently on the agenda and in that context Human Rights First, along with more than 40 other organizations, is urging the G8 to make a definitive 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/06/china-says-theres-nothing-more-it-can.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:01:29 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-2674357799126321582China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun has proclaimed that his country has done all it can do to help end the conflict in Darfur. “We have done as much as we can do. China remains committed to resolving the Darfur issue and has made unremitting efforts,” said Zhai. Yet China has yet to take one easy and practical step that would no doubt help end the conflict: halt its substantial arms 0http://www.stoparmstosudan.org/china/2008/06/over-40-organizations-call-on-g8-to-act.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric Sears)Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:57:57 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4939499347938892062.post-5074992864955080636An international coalition of over 40 nongovernmental organizations from all eight countries represented by the G8 called today on their nations’ leaders to forcefully advocate for concrete and immediate steps to end the crisis in Darfur.In an open letter sent yesterday, the coalition, which is led by Human Rights First and includes nongovernmental organizations from Sudan itself and from Canada,0