On February 12th, 2008, Steven Spielberg announced his decision to end his role as artistic adviser to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. As a strong supporter of human rights initiatives, Spielberg had been trying to persuade China to take more positive action to solve the Darfur conflict in Sudan.

"Sudan's government bares the bulk of the responsibility for these ongoing crimes but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more to end the continuing human suffering there," said Spielberg. "China's economic, military and diplomatic ties to the government of Sudan continue to provide it with the opportunity and obligation to press for change."

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has a duty to act where issues of international peace and security are concerned. However, China has a track record of protecting the Government of Sudan at the Security Council and in other international forums, where Darfur is concerned.

Countries like Canada must encourage China to take a stand for peace in Darfur.

What you can do:

Take as little as 5 minutes to send an email or letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Tell the Prime Minister to engage Chinese officials regarding the situation in Darfur. Beijing should use its influence with Khartoum to ensure that the peacekeeping mission to Darfur (UNAMID) is fully deployed as soon as possible. Khartoum is largely to blame for peacekeeping delays, and Beijing must help to advance UNAMID's deployment.

Use the sample letter below, or re-write the message in your own words.

Sample letter / email to Prime Minister Harper:

Mailing address:
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6

Email address:
harper.s@parl.gc.ca


Dear Mr Harper,

As a Canadian citizen concerned about the situation in Darfur, I urge you to take decisive diplomatic action and encourage China to use its influence with the Government of Sudan to help end the Darfur crisis.

On February 12th, Steven Spielberg ended his involvement as artistic adviser to the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, saying that "conscience will not allow me to continue with business as usual." Mr. Spielberg could not continue to work with a government that is not using its influence to end the Darfur crisis; and like many Canadians, I agree that China should be doing more to usher an end to the violence in Darfur.

China has an international obligation to engage the Government of Sudan on the crisis in Darfur, given its role on the UN Security Council overseeing international issues of peace and security, and its close relationship with Khartoum. The Sudanese government is complicit in ongoing attacks against civilians in Darfur, and in obstructing the full deployment of peacekeepers to the region.

The Sudanese regime has changed its Darfur policies under Chinese pressure in the past, most notably in accepting UN Resolution 1769 to get peacekeepers into the region. China must now use its influence to get the mission fully deployed as soon as possible, to protect vulnerable populations.

By encouraging China to use its influence with the Government of Sudan, Canada can make an important contribution towards ending the Darfur crisis.

Sincerely,


If you are interested in learning more about what China can do to help end the Darfur crisis, see the Olympic Dream for Darfur website: www.DreamforDarfur.org

To read the full text of Mr. Spielberg's public resignation as artistic director of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, see: www.MiaFarrow.org