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 Richard Vaughan calls out for better handling of situation in Darfur
Badzine International (BZI): Can you outline for people, who are not familiar with the Darfur crisis, the history behind the conflict and your personal stance on the Chinese involvement or lack of it?
Richard Vaughan: The crisis in Darfur (which is a Western area of Sudan) began in 2003. The area is about the size of France. Following decades of neglect, drought, oppression and small-scale conflicts in Darfur, two rebel groups mounted a challenge to Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir. These groups represent agrarian farmers who are mostly non-Arab black African Muslims from a number of different tribes. President Al-Bashir's response was brutal. In seeking to defeat the rebel movements, the Government of Sudan increased arms and support to local tribal and other militia. Collectively they have come to be known as the Janjaweed. They are composed of mostly Arab black African Muslims who herd cattle, camels and other livestock. The Janjaweed have wiped out entire villages, destroyed food and water supplies, murdered, tortured and raped thousands of Darfurians. These attacks are directly supported by the Government of Sudan’s armed forces.
The UN Human Rights Council Mission Report, March 2007 stated:
"The situation is characterized by gross and systemic violations of human rights and grave breaches of international humanitarian law. The principal pattern is one of a violent counterinsurgency campaign waged by the Government of Sudan in concert with Janjaweed militia, targeting mostly civilians.”
400,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the conflict over the past 4 years.
2.5 Million People have been forcibly removed from their homes in the region.
200,000 have fled to Chad, and remain in camps or temporary communities.
BZI: In 2006 Mr Wang, the Chinese ambassador to the UN, said that it was a good idea to support the UN resolution to deploy a peacekeeping force to Darfur but then publicly refused to support the UN resolution. Is that why you call on China for help?
Vaughan: China has strong links with Sudan, and has had the chance since 2003, when this crisis started, to use its influence as the primary economic, military and political partner of Sudan to oblige the Sudanese government to stop the massacres. It has not done this. China should use its significant financial and business presence to exert pressure on the Sudanese government to halt its support of the Darfurian genocide, and its support of the Janjaweed. This has also been seen at the UN where it has protected Sudan from UN sanctions using its veto power to block resolutions against the Sudanese government.
The athletes associated with Team Darfur want China to stop facilitating the genocide and humanitarian crisis by its inertia. Instead, we want to see China apply pressure on Sudan so that the humanitarian crisis in Darfur comes to an end. Specifically we would want to see China suspending all arms sales and military cooperation with Sudan until the atrocities have ended.
 BZI: February 08 has seen the Chinese began to shift their position on the crisis and step out of their comfort zone in pushing Sudan to accept the involvement of a UN peace-keeping force. Do you view this as progress?
Vaughan: It’s slight progress. It indicates that the Chinese Government feels enough pressure from the international community that it is trying befriend the international media. However, its words have not resulted in any concrete improvement on the ground in Darfur with some 12,000 new refugees in the past week, and the conflict has now spread to neighbouring Chad. China has a lot more influence than it is using.
BZI: There are many Darfur action groups out there at the moment so why Team Darfur for you and can you outline Team Darfur’s mandate?
Vaughan: Team Darfur is an international coalition of athletes committed to raising awareness about and bringing an end to the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, which has been going on since 2003. As international athletes we are in the unique position of having a global voice to educate the public and exert pressure to stop the humanitarian crisis continuing in Darfur.
We want to raise international awareness of what is happening in Darfur and Chad. Team Darfur was co-founded by Olympic speed-skating gold-medallist Joey Cheek and UCLA water polo player Brad Greiner. Joey raised over $1 million in 2006 when he announced he would donate his medal bonuses to relief in Darfur and encouraged other athletes and sponsors to do the same. After seeing the impact that this action had, Joey wanted to encourage other athletes to use their time in the spotlight to raise awareness of this humanitarian crisis.
Team Darfur has the same goals as the U.N. and are looking for:
A ceasefire- the rebels and the Government of Sudan need to agree to stop fighting.
Protection- The UN recently passed a resolution calling for 26,000 troops to protect the civilians of Darfur. World nations need to support this by offering funding, troops and logistical support so that an African Union mission is possible.
Peace Process – Dialogue needs to start between the rebels and the Government of Sudan to ensure a lasting peace. World leaders need to get this process rolling.
Humanitarian Aid- One of the most immediate needs is that the people of Darfur require shelter, food and medical supplies and assistance to return home once they are safe.
Specific Countries should do more: 1) China should suspend all arms sales and military cooperation until the atrocities end. 2) NATO countries should support a UN force logistically. 3) The EU and USA need to fulfil their relief aid commitments.
 BZI: What other well-known athletes have joined team Darfur?
Vaughan: Team Darfur is very much an International group with the majority of high profile athletes coming from the US. Unfortunately, due to pressure from the sporting bodies in the UK, I am one of only a very few British Olympians to sign up.
Recently the Badminton Players Federation has signed up to the Team Darfur campaign namely Bob Milroy, and Pedro Yang. I hope other players will follow their example it would be particularly supportive if some of the ‘medal’ prospects would take a moral stance on the issue.
BZI: Finally….With the Beijing Olympics just 6 months away, would you consider boycotting the games in order to make a stand against China and their lack of conviction on the Darfur issue?
Vaughan: I do not support a boycott, everyone at Team Darfur want to see a celebration of the Olympic spirit, not a boycott. All of the athletes associated with Team Darfur are committed to celebrating the Olympic spirit. The Olympic Charter actually sets out what this means: it talks about "the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles". I think that my position is entirely compatible with these ideals.
In an ideal world it would be great if the focus could just be on Badminton. However, the humanitarian crisis in Darfur has been neglected by parties who should have been addressing this issue since 2003 when it started.
The Olympics have given Team Darfur a platform with which to bring these humanitarian concerns to the fore.
Darfur as a humanitarian rather than a political issue.
You can follow Richard Vaughan’s progress at www.richardvaughan.net and if you are an athlete and feel you want to voice your opinion or lend your support to the Darfur crisis you can sign up on the Team Darfur website at www.teamdarfur.org
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