Welcome to the Thursday November 28, 2007 issue of this Peace&Justice action email!
This email highlights two Darfur actions, as that crisis heads into its best chance for resolution over the next few months, and thus also its terrain of minefields. There is also a further action regarding Burma, an action to voice concern over possible Japanese humpback whaling, and a Canadian-only action related to its foreign aid policy.
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DARFUR: TELL UN SECRETARY GENERAL TO MAINTAIN FIRM RESOLVENext week, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will meet with the "Darfur Contact Group" of 17 world leaders to set the agenda for Darfur's peace talks as a follow up to the Paris conference in June. Those who read about my signposts of progress (http://www.untilall.org/darfur.htm) will be minimally glad that on the final day of the deadline (October 31) the UN logistical base was setup.
However the other signposts do not look as promising, as it becomes clearer that Sudan's President Bashir continues his manipulative ways, including disputes over the nationalities of the UN peacekeepers, land placement for the troops, use of airfields and other movement restrictions, to the extent that some authorities ponder whether such restrictions might doom the mission to failure. Such subversive tactics cannot be allowed to rule the day. Similar tactics are also employed to hamper rebel unification (which also suffers from rebel issues themselves).
Thus it is important that Ban Ki-moon take a sound resolve into the meeting, knowing he has the support of concerned people around the world.
Sign Petition to UN Secretary GeneralIn-Depth Analysis, Status and Recommendations:
International Crisis Group Report (Nov. 26)
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TELL CHINA TO PRESSURE SUDAN TO STOP EMPTYING DARFUR CAMPSSudan's government has been accused of forcing people out of its Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, which hold well over 2 million people who have fled the violence of the conflict. China exercises great influence over the government of Sudan: they are tied by money, politics, and arms. Please ask China to pressure Khartoum to immediately stop forcibly displacing the people of Darfur, and allow aid workers to help these internally displaced persons, or IDPs, wherever they are located:.
Take Action:
http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/darfur_displaced/iiegu5krf6d5wmw?
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MYANMAR (BURMA): ADD FUEL TO THE PRESSURE
The situation in Myanmar (Burma) has not changed significantly….. One way to support change is through cutting financial support to the military leaders. Boycotts must be careful not to cut-off money that goes to the citizens. In this case the bulk of that support comes from oil (Chevron) and most of the revenue goes to the military. Thus you can take the following action to tell Chevron (or affiliates noted in the link) that you will no longer buy their gas until either the brutal Burmese dictatorship ends or Chevron suspends its operation there.
Sign the Petition:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/burma_corporate/
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STOP JAPAN'S WHALING FLEET FROM KILLING HUMPBACKSA Japanese whaling fleet has set sail aiming to harpoon humpback whales for the first time in decades. The fleet is conducting its largest hunt in the South Pacific - it has instructions to kill up to 1,000 whales, including 50 humpbacks. The humpback hunt is the first since a mid-1960s global ban and has drawn strong protests from environmentalists.
Commercial whaling was stopped in 1986 but Japan is permitted whaling in the name of scientific research.
Send Petition to Japanese Ambassador:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/111615377?z00m=11353554
Background:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7099720.stm
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CANADA ONLY: PUSH SENATE BILL ON FOREIGN AID
Parliament has passed a bill that would make the aid Canada gives to foreign countries much more effective - but it is at risk of dying in the Senate. If it does not get passed before the next federal election, this opportunity to improve Canada's foreign aid will be lost.
Support Senator and retired Lt. General Romeo Dallaire's fight to get this bill passed. Your message could make the difference between a better aid system and a lost opportunity.
Sign the Petition:
Support Passage of Senate Bill
UWAA: This endeavour is being placed under the overall rubric of "Until Well-being is Achieved for All."
Volunteers Needed: If you can provide one hour per week or month, tracking down concrete actions to help strengthen this effort, please click the UWAA Reply button below, and add a Subject Line: “UWAA: Edit” and place any comments in the body. Diverse perspectives especially welcome.
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Rod
Downing
rdowning94@shaw.ca.
Surrey
BC Canada
(604) 535-6550