Save Darfur

4.53.56pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 21st Sep 2007

Sudan flag

Liberal Democrats yesterday passed an emergency motion on the crisis in Darfur.

The Motion:

Conference welcomes the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769 of 31 July 2007 authorising the establishment of an African Union/United Nations hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID), the largest operation of its kind in UN history, comprising 26,000 troops and police, which is to be deployed by the end of 2007.

Conference condemns the gross human rights violations that continue to be perpetrated by all sides of the conflict against the civilian population in the region of Darfur.

Conference condemns the deplorable record of the Government of Sudan (GoS) to cooperate fully with humanitarian aid workers and agencies in facilitating their work in the region by the use of delaying measures and obstructions by its officials.

Conference believes that:

a) Long term peace and security for the people of Darfur cannot be achieved without a lasting settlement between all parties to the conflict which can best be secured through multilateral co-operation under the auspices of the United Nations and African Union.

b) The current humanitarian crisis can only be addressed effectively with the full deployment of a UNAMID force that is properly funded and supported by member states of the United Nations.

c) Without a concerted effort by the international community and civil society to continue to put pressure on the GoS and the governments of the member states of the United Nations to meet the ambitious timetable set for the deployment of the AU-UN hybrid force, the humanitarian crisis will continue to worsen in the region.

d) In the current climate, the deportation by European member states of Darfuri asylum seekers to Sudan is both deplorable and unacceptable.

Conference calls on:

1) The Government to satisfy fully and speedily their obligations under Resolution 1769 to facilitate and assist with the deployment of UNAMID.

2) The Government to continue to exert pressure on its Security Council partners, and especially China, to use all available lawful means to ensure that the GoS:

i) Fully complies with its obligations under Resolution 1769.

ii) Adheres to its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.

iii) Takes immediate measures to provide security and protection for the civilian population, and in particular women, children and humanitarian aid workers in the region, and to end the sexual violence and recruitment of child soldiers.

iv) Co-operates fully with the international community to facilitate without any further delay all humanitarian support and aid to the civilian population affected by the conflict.

3) The Government to halt all deportation of Darfuri asylum seekers back to Sudan until it is safe for them to be returned.

4) The Liberal Democrats to launch a nation-wide campaign of targeted divestment in enterprises or financial institutions which are engaged in commercial relationships with the Khartoum regime in the event of the GoS' failure to meet its obligations within the timetable set under Resolution 1769.