The Save Darfur Coalition lashed out at President Obama today, claiming he is not doing enough to confront the human rights crisis still unfolding in Sudan. The group, one of the largest focused on protecting the victims of genocide in the region, say that Obama’s decision not to raise the issue publicly during his trip to China suggests he is not willing to push for peace in the region.
“President Obama’s public silence on Sudan in Beijing sent an unfortunate message to the Sudanese government and other key actors that he is not willing to lead publicly for peace in Sudan,” Save Darfur president Jerry Fowler said in a statement. “The Administration’s new Sudan strategy cannot succeed without vigorous multilateral leadership that starts with the President. Tacking Sudan on to a laundry list of items behind closed doors is not that kind of leadership.”
Last week, 44 members of Congress sent Obama a letter calling on him to make Darfur a focus of his talks with Chinese leaders during his Asian trip. Darfur advocates have long claimed that China is a major supporter of the ruling party in Sudan, which they blame for the genocide and refugee crisis in the country that has left millions dead.
Obamatold reporters yesterday that he discussed human rights issues with Chinese President Hu Jintao when the two men met behind closed doors during Obama’s visit to Beijing. Hu told reporters that the two presidents had agreed that human rights “for all men and women” were “universal.”
Hu said China and the U.S. will continue to discuss human rights at a future summit between the two nations.
