Statement of Darfur adopted by the Board of Project Ploughshares on 29 April 2006.

At its semi-annual meeting in Toronto on 28-29 April 2006 the Ploughshares board discussed the ongoing tragedy in the Darfur region of Sudan. At that time a final push was being given to negotiations in Abuja, Nigeria, from African and other governments, including Canada, for a peace agreement between the Government of Sudan and several rebel groups in Darfur. The board was also aware that a "Take Note" debate on Darfur was to be held in Canada's Parliament on 1 May 2006.

This statement reflects the ongoing discussion within the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) on the international community's responsibility to come to the aid of those who are in extreme peril, such as the people of Darfur. While the general discussion on the "responsibility to protect" is still taking place within the Canadian churches, the board thought it important that the information from the WCC, the CCC, and the All Africa Conference of Churches be made available to the broader public. The statement subsequently was forwarded to Members of Parliament, the media, and others in the morning of 1 May.

The Abuja negotiations came to a muddled conclusion with a peace treaty signed on 5 May by the Government of Sudan and only one of the three rebel groups in Darfur. It remains to be seen if the implementation of the peace agreement will result in real progress in creating lasting peace and security for the people of Darfur.

1. The question of responsibility

The violations against the people in Darfur over the last three years have been truly extreme. Over two million people have been displaced and at least 200,000 have been killed. Countless homes and villages have been plundered and burned and thousands of women have been sexually assaulted. The government of the Sudan, like all governments, has a primary responsibility to protect its people, but for Darfurians it has failed utterly. Accordingly, the international community, including Canada, must accept its responsibility to protect these people.

2. Canada's responsibility to protect the people of Darfur

Our political leaders have clearly acknowledged the extraordinary peril of the people of Darfur and Canada's resulting responsibility. Canada has provided diplomatic support for peace talks in Abuja and logistical and other support for the African Union's military involvement. On the question of military intervention, we refer to the February 2006 statement adopted by the World Council of Churches. After insisting on the priority that should be given to preventive measures and emphasizing the importance of various preconditions for any intervention, the Council stated that "the fellowship of churches is not prepared to say that it is never appropriate or never necessary to resort to the use of force for the protection of the vulnerable." The statement went on to say that "just as individuals and communities in stable and affluent societies are able in emergencies to call on armed police to come to their aid when they experience unusual or extraordinary threats of violence, churches recognize that people in much more perilous circumstances should have the right to call for and have access to protection."

3. Canadian religious leaders' appeal

On January 16, 2006 leaders from Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, and 12 Christian groups called on Canada's political leaders "to continue taking steps, unilaterally, bilaterally and multilaterally, to protect communities under threat, [and] boldly work with others to resolve the conflict, and restore peace and safety to the people of Darfur." Further, they said, "we urge the government to include Darfur at the top of its international policy agenda, and take actions that would be effective in bringing peace and security to the people there."

4. Being sensitive to local factors

The broader international community must be sensitive to local conditions and to the potential of regional players, lest well-intended actions become counterproductive. But caution must not lead to paralysis. On March 23, 2006 Rev. Dr. Mvume Dandala, General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, criticized the African Union for being too deferential to the government of Sudan and stated: "Sudan's deeply troubled Darfur region needs a truly international peacekeeping force soon, and cannot wait another six months."

Moira Hutchinson, Chair