U.S. Bishops Cite Concern About Rapes, Genocide of Muslims in Darfur,
Sudan, in Letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell

WASHINGTON, July 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The U.S. bishops have voiced
concern about rapes and genocide of Muslims in Darfur, Sudan, in a
letter to U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell.

The June 28 letter was sent by Most Reverence John H. Ricard, SSJ of
Pensacola-Tallahassee (FL), Chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on
International Policy.

Bishop Ricard expressed "grave concern about the humanitarian
catastrophe" in the region where, he said, "the lives of tens of
thousands of Black African Sudanese, primarily Muslims, have been lost
and where hundreds of thousands of others are in danger.

"Catholic Relief Services and our other Church partners on the ground
who are providing humanitarian assistance to those most affected
testify to the suffering of the people of Darfur, the scores of women
and young girls who have been raped, and the systematic destruction of
villages, fields and water sources by government forces and their Arab
Janjaweed collaborators," he added. "Unless these militias are stopped
and unfettered humanitarian access is granted by the government in
Khartoum, many more innocent lives will be lost."

The Bishops have long advocated for a just and lasting peace in Sudan.
In a tragic turn of events, the region of Darfur, western Sudan, is
witnessing a campaign of ethnic cleansing being waged against innocent
Black Africa, primarily Muslim, civilians by the Government in
Khartoum and its Arab Janjaweed militias.

Bishop Ricard urged Secretary Powell to raise greater awareness of the
plight of more than 2 million people in Darfur so that the
international community might act in a significant and coordinated
manner in order to save many lives and help bring an end to the
conflict. Discussions are underway among the U.S. bishops on ways to
draw greater attention to this issue, including a possible trip to the
region.

Bishop Ricard's letter follows.

Dear Secretary Powell,

I write to express grave concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in
the region of Darfur, Sudan, where the lives of tens of thousands of
Black African Sudanese, primarily Muslims, have been lost and where
hundreds of thousands of others are in danger. Catholic Relief
Services and our other Church partners on the ground who are providing
humanitarian assistance to those most affected testify to the
suffering of the people of Darfur, the scores of women and young girls
who have been raped, and the systematic destruction of villages,
fields and water sources by government forces and their Arab Janjaweed
collaborators. Unless these militias are stopped and unfettered
humanitarian access is granted by the government in Khartoum, many
more innocent lives will be lost.

I want to thank you for your efforts to bring this issue to the
attention of the international community and the American people so
that genocide might be avoided in Darfur. Your upcoming visit to the
region will do much to highlight the devastating consequences of this
conflict for millions of Darfurians, including those who have been
internally displaced or who have sought refuge in Chad. I hope your
visit, and other efforts, will contribute to more effective action by
the U.N. Security Council to provide the mandate and resources
necessary to end the violence and address the humanitarian disaster in
Darfur. The Africa Union could well be pressed to play an effective
role in the promotion of a negotiated settlement and should receive
adequate resources for this purpose. New ways must be found to provide
protection for displaced persons and refugees in the region, including
possible third country resettlement for the most vulnerable. At the
same time, the urgent needs of refugees in Chad must not be overlooked
by the United States or the international community.

While the conflict rages in western Sudan, the United States must not
lose sight of the tremendous opportunities and challenges confronting
the peoples of southern Sudan following the signing of a comprehensive
framework for peace on May 26, 2004. The United States should provide
greater assistance to the whole of Sudan, not only as a 'peace
dividend' to support reconstruction efforts in southern Sudan and
other parts of the country, but also to demonstrate our resolve to
prevent further loss of life and promote a peaceful resolution to the
conflict in Darfur.

The time has come to move beyond endless debates about whether the
targeting of Black African Sudanese in Darfur constitutes ethnic
cleansing or genocide. Thousands of innocent lives have been lost, and
hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of starvation. What
greater justification is needed in order to save lives, protect the
innocent from further violence and dehumanization, and help end this
conflict.

I deeply appreciate your consideration of these concerns and pray that
your visit to Darfur will help secure peace and prevent further
violence and bloodshed.

Sincerely yours,

Most Reverence John H. Ricard, SSJ, Bishop of Pensacola- Tallahassee;
chairman, Committee on International Policy