Human Rights in a Virtual Age
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Today Amnesty International unveiled a new website called Eyes on Darfur where they will post satellite images from villages and sites in Darfur to highlight the ongoing human rights violations that are taking place. By posting the pictures online for the entire world to see, Amnesty hopes to pressure the Government of Sudan to allow UN peacekeepers into the conflict-ridden western part of the country.
The concept is an interesting one, particularly considering how complicated Khartoum makes it for outside groups to gain access to Darfur in order to report on the atrocities that are taking place. The last time RI conducted a mission to look at the crisis in Darfur was in July 2006. Since then it has gotten more and more difficult for us to obtain permission from the Government of Sudan to travel to the region. In the past year we have issued reports on both the requirements for a hybrid UN peacekeeping force in Darfur, as well as the potential drawbacks of a UN presence in eastern Chad.
Eyes on Darfur is very similar to something that the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and Google Earth launched in April (and which Megan blogged about). The initiative, called Crisis in Darfur, partners the Holocaust Museum's focus on the genocide in Darfur with satellite images from Google Earth to help you visualize the destruction that is taking place in Darfur.
Another interesting online project focused on Darfur is a game called Darfur is Dying. By playing the game you take on the virtual role of a displaced person in Darfur. In order to “win” you must successfully build a shelter, collect food and water, and simply stay alive.
Education and advocacy like this do make a difference. These various websites and tools can help a wider audience better understand the enormous tragedy facing millions of people in Darfur, and inspire them to pressure the US government to do more to end the crisis.
The concept is an interesting one, particularly considering how complicated Khartoum makes it for outside groups to gain access to Darfur in order to report on the atrocities that are taking place. The last time RI conducted a mission to look at the crisis in Darfur was in July 2006. Since then it has gotten more and more difficult for us to obtain permission from the Government of Sudan to travel to the region. In the past year we have issued reports on both the requirements for a hybrid UN peacekeeping force in Darfur, as well as the potential drawbacks of a UN presence in eastern Chad.
Eyes on Darfur is very similar to something that the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and Google Earth launched in April (and which Megan blogged about). The initiative, called Crisis in Darfur, partners the Holocaust Museum's focus on the genocide in Darfur with satellite images from Google Earth to help you visualize the destruction that is taking place in Darfur.
Another interesting online project focused on Darfur is a game called Darfur is Dying. By playing the game you take on the virtual role of a displaced person in Darfur. In order to “win” you must successfully build a shelter, collect food and water, and simply stay alive.
Education and advocacy like this do make a difference. These various websites and tools can help a wider audience better understand the enormous tragedy facing millions of people in Darfur, and inspire them to pressure the US government to do more to end the crisis.
Labels: Darfur
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