by Genenda Milloy

Created on: May 18, 2008

After the Holocaust, the world swore, "Never again." Never again would we allow genocide. Never again would we turn a blind eye to those who commit genocide or to those who support others who commit genocide. China is supporting Sudan in its Arab Muslim efforts to drive out or kill black Muslims. The world cannot and should not turn a blind eye to Sudan, and we mustn't ignore China's role in the genocide. Unlike much of the world, Steven Spielberg is not blind to these travesties.

To understand Spielberg's objections to assisting in the Olympics, one must understand the sitation in Darfur, as well as China's involvement. Recent UN reports suggest that as many as 300,000 people have been killed by the Janjaweed, a militia group that is backed by the Sudanese government. As many as two and a half million Darfuris have fled their homes for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) or refugee camps. Darfur is a region in the western portion of Sudan. This area is impoverished, and the people have little ability to protect themselves. The government, led by President Omar al-Bashir, supports the Janjaweed in destroying the black Muslim population of this region, so that the Arab Muslims can take the land and gain more power.

The Sudanese government denies supporting the Janjaweed. They claim that the real danger is the rebel groups formed by desperate residents of Sudan who are only trying to protect their families and ensure a future for their people. These groups are the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Army (SLA or SLM). While the government claims that they do not support the Janjaweed, they inadvertently admit to fighting against JEM and SLA. However, attacks are not focused on JEM and SLA strongholds and soldiers. If Bashir wanted only to fight these groups, the elderly, women, and children would not be targets.

How does the government attack? Generally, the government flies over a village in helicopters, which drop Antonov bombs on the helpless people below. These attacks are followed by Janjaweed foot soldiers, who come in with machine guns and machetes to make certain that not one person remains in the village. Survivors report being forced to watch the brutal murders of their parents, siblings, spouses, or children. Men rarely survive. Women are subject to brutal gang rape, especially if they leave the refugee camps to gather firewood. After the Janjaweed has finished killing, raping, and pillaging, they burn the villages to the ground.

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