International agency Oxfam today accuses European member states of turning their backs on the suffering of the people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). ... “Oxfam is extremely disappointed by the unwillingness of European governments to provide a temporary peacekeeping mission to DRC. Member states must live up to their responsibility to protect civilians caught up in fighting and they must do it now. EU leaders have to face up to the stark choice before them. Failure to do so means armed men go on murdering, raping and looting indiscriminately and the enormous suffering in DRC continues.” said Elise Ford, head of Oxfam's EU office in Brussels. ...
“France which currently holds the EU presidency has already shown strong political commitment by helping to persuade the UN Security Council to authorize MONUC to deploy more troops on the ground. But the people in North Kivu urgently need greater protection now and some EU member states are willing to provide it. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner must now mobilize the political will that is so urgently needed and gain agreement for the swift deployment of a peacekeeping force,” said Nicolas Vercken, Oxfam conflict advocacy officer in Paris. OXFAM, 12-3-08
The Irish Red Cross is accepting donations for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo online and via telephone (1850 50 70 70). Another worthy vehicle is OXFAM.
Originally posted at Words of Power. Richard Power's Left-Handed Security: Overcoming Fear, Greed & Ignorance in This Era of Global Crisis is available now! Click here for more information. For a directory of Words of Power Human Rights Updates, click here.
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Richard Power writes and speaks on the 21st Century security and sustainability crisis. He is the author of five books. He has also delivered executive intelligence briefings and led professional training in over thirty countries.
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