How to address this issue in your multimedia project:

Create a movie that focuses on either Peacekeeping, the International Criminal Court (ICC) or working through the international community (see below), as potentially effective tools for ending the Darfur genocide. Alternatively, you may wish to consider more broadly how the international community can work collaboratively to put an end to the violence.


1. Peacekeeping

It is important to note that no U.N. peacekeeping mission can be created or extended without the active agreement of the United States. Today, U.N. peacekeepers are maintaining peace, fostering reconciliation, promoting democracy, and building long-term stability in 18 missions around the globe, including in Darfur, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Haiti. Click here to learn more.

In your movie, you may want to consider questions such as:

1. How can the next president support U.N. peacekeeping? Should the United States pay its fair share of the costs so that U.S. troops need not be deployed to areas where the UN can provide stability? Click here for more information.
   
   
2. What tools and conditions would a U.N. Peacekeeping force need to be successful in Darfur?

If you decide to focus on peacekeeping, check out this report by Gayle Smith, entitled:

Peacekeeping for Protection and Peace in Darfur: Requirements for the Success of the U.N./A.U. Hybrid Mission

Also look at Bill Durch’s report on America’s interest in International Cooperation, entitled:

Peace and Stability Operations: Challenges and Opportunities for the Next U.S. Administration

2. The International Criminal Court

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is the only permanent international court capable of trying individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, when countries where the atrocities occur are unable or unwilling to do so themselves. The main role of the Court is to try the worst perpetrators of mass atrocities, and in doing so send a message to would-be human rights abusers that the Court is permanent, it is here to stay, and they are no longer free to act with impunity.

The Sudanese government is responsible for arming and mobilizing the Janjaweed Arab militia, which has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. Initially, the ICC issued arrest warrants for two individuals on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, yet the Sudanese government refuses hand these people over to the Court. They are Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (also known as Ali Kushayb), a former Janjaweed militia commander, and Ahmed Mohammed Haroun, who now, in an act of defiance on the part of the Sudanese regime, serves as Sudan's Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs.

The ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo recently noted that “Arresting Haroun today will break the criminal system in Darfur.”

More recently, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.  This is the first time the Court has formally charged a head-of-state while they are still in office.

In your movie, you may want to consider questions such as:

1. The International Criminal Court opened a case on the Darfur crisis in western Sudan after the situation was referred to it by the UN Security Council. What should the Council do now to ensure those indicted of war crimes are brought to The Hague (where the ICC is based) for trial?
   
   
2. Should the United States support the ICC in its efforts to secure evidence and gain custody of Haroun and Kushayb?

Check out the section on the Citizens for Global Solutions website for more information on how to address this issue. Also look at the USA for ICC website.

It is also important to review information about the Darfur crisis – the official ICC website is a good resource for this.

When choosing which tool to focus on, it is important to remember the overall goal. Through your multimedia projects, we want to bring urgent attention to the crisis in Darfur and offer solutions to this grave humanitarian catastrophe.


3. Working Through the International Community to End the Darfur Genocide.

The United States government has officially labeled the situation in Darfur as genocide, yet this strong rhetoric has been met with little action. As the leading superpower and with a strong position as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the U.S. must take the lead and urge the international community to pressure the government of Sudan to bring an end to the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur.

The Sudanese government is responsible for arming and mobilizing the Janjaweed Arab militia, which has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

As we approach what will doubtless be one of the most decisive elections in the history of our nation, the presidential candidates stand united on Darfur, and have pledged their support for bringing an end to the violence that has killed and/or displaced tens of thousands of people.

Consider the following questions in your movie:

1. Despite its many differences, the international community stands committed to stem the violence in Darfur. How do you think the international community should work together in order to end the killing?
   
   
2. What must the next President of the United States do to ensure that the international community works cooperatively in order to stem the violence in Darfur and hold the government of Sudan to account for war crimes and crimes against humanity?
   

To hear the candidates’ views, click here .

Also have a look at this helpful Q&A about the situation in Darfur.