Pressure China on Darfur

Over the past three years at Indiana University, Students Taking Action Now: Darfur or STAND, has been working hard to educate students about the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan and bring about effective legislative action to aid civilians in the region. Very recently, violence in Darfur has become even more complex and shocking, with aid workers threatened with rape and violence, African Union peacekeepers killed and kidnapped and civilians left without protection and in increasing danger. \nThis surge in violence underscores the necessity of decisive international action, especially in divestment from companies who do business with the Sudanese government. STAND is following in the wake of Indiana’s recent targeted divestment legislation, which passed in May, by putting pressure on the Chinese government.\nChina has extremely close ties to Sudan, and is the largest investor in Sudanese oil and energy ventures. \nIn the past10 years, China has invested $10 billion in the Sudanese economy; 70 percent of this income has been used by Sudan to fund its military and in turn perpetuate the genocide. Diplomatically, China continually protects the Sudanese government in the UN, allowing the genocide to continue in order to retain trade relations. \nUsing the upcoming Beijing Olympics to highlight the financial boon which China will receive, a national torch relay will be coming through Indianapolis this Sunday, October 14, in order to educate Hoosiers on China’s involvement with Sudan. \nAnti-genocide constituents will be gathering at the IUPUI campus at 2 p.m. to bring to light the power and authority that China can use to bring this genocide to an end.\nIndiana University also has investments in companies that are linked to Sudan – these have not been forgotten by students and faculty on campus. STAND is launching a campaign with faculty support to bring about divestment on the Bloomington campus. By keeping financial ties with these companies, both China and IU are complicit in the genocide in Darfur. \nKeep your eyes and ears open for more information on IU divestment in the future; if you are interested in helping IU divest, contact stand@indiana.edu. \nKatie Wolt\nIU junior