President Obama speaks at the Holocaust museum: “But we must also remember that bearing witness is not the end of our obligation – it is just the beginning. We know that evil has yet to run its course on earth. We have seen it in this century in mass graves and the ashes of villages burned to the ground; in children used as soldiers and rape as a weapon of war… “

The war in Darfur is located mainly in Western Sudan with one side comprised of Sudanese military and the Janjaweed while the other side is comprised of a variety of rebel groups such as The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and the Justice and Equality Movement

The conflict began in February 2003 and since the start of the conflict 450,000 people have been killed, and 3,000,000 people have been displaced.

According to the UN, Between March and August 2008, there were reports of missing children and all indications show that those children have joined the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebel group.

Allegations of recruitment of children by armed groups, including those associated with the Taliban, have been received from all regions, particularly from the south, south-east and east.

A study conducted by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also documented cases of children being used by the Taliban to carry out suicide attacks.

According to CBS news: Humanitarian agencies have documented cases of armed groups shooting, mutilating and torturing children, abducting and gang-raping girls, and recruiting and using youngsters as combatants.

The international Criminal Court (ICC): is a permanent and independent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, wars of aggression, and genocide. the ICC seeks to re-implement justice and accountability in Darfur.

The most frequent demands of Darfuri survivors is that the individuals responsible for rape, murder and destruction of villages and livelihoods be held accountable

In 2007, the ICC issued warrants of arrest for two individuals: Ahmad Muhammed Harun (Ahmed Haroun) and Ali Muhammed Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (a.k.a. Ali Kushayb).

The Government of Sudan has refused to arrest or turn over either of these men. In fact, after the ICC issued Harun's arrest warrant, the Government of Sudan appointed him Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs.

On April 22,2009 Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the Security Council and judicial systems to step up action in the fight to end abuse of children in conflict zones around the world.

In July 2008, the chief prosecutor of the ICC presented evidence of 10 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against Sudanese President Omar al Bashir.

“There is a solution for Sudan and activism is essential for that solution,” said John Prendergast, Enough Project co-founder

http://blogfordarfur.org/2009/04/22/there-is-a-solution-for-sudan/

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Gaza – January 20,2009: “I believe a massive and united international effort is required to help Palestinians achieve statehood and Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and security. I am more determined than ever to see this achieved.”

• 1949: Israel signs truces with Arab countries

• 1956: Israel invades Sinai Peninsula and Gaza strip

• 1957: Israel withdrawals from Egypt

• 1967 : The Six-Day War; by the end of it Israel controls both Gaza and Sinai Peninsula

• 1979: Israel and Egypt sign peace treaty

• 1987: Hamas is founded• 1992: Israel expels 400

Palestinians from Gaza, West Bank

• 1996: Israel's prime minister promises was on Hamas

• 2001: Suicide bombing in Tel Aviv

• 2004: Israel kills Hamas spiritual leader

• 2005: Israel withdrawals from Gaza

• 2007: Hamas seizes Gaza• 2008: A shaky truce is

made between Israel and Hamas

• 2009: Israel completes Gaza withdrawal

A total of 581 Palestinian children were injured in the reporting period up toDecember 26, 2008 in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with 71% of the injuries occurring in the West Bank. From December 27, 2008 to January 18, 2009,an additional 1,871 children were injured in Gaza.

According to a UN worker: “Gaza's civilians, who cannot flee because the borders are closed, are “the meat in the sandwich,”

Secretary-Generals statement to the Security Council on the situation in the

Middle East:“The Palestinian Authority has been pursuing genuine measures of self-empowerment in the West Bank, improving security and economic life for its citizens, in a framework of increased Israeli-Palestinian partnership. We know what that conclusion must be. The occupation that began in 1967 must end. All people in the Middle East should be able to enjoy peace and full security. Palestinians must see the establishment of a State of Palestine alongside Israel, to co-exist with it in peace and security. And Israel and the Arab world must come to live together in a comprehensive regional peace.”

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, World YWCA General Secretary said in January 2009: "Women often bear the brunt of conflict. As such, gender-responsive humanitarian actions must take into account the special needs of women and children,”

World YWCA calls for justice after Gaza War and for protection of women and children:

Grundahl, S. (2009, April 23). “That is my commitment as President.”. Retrieved April 27, 2009, from Save Darfur blog.

Promotion and protection of the rights of children. (2009). In United nations general assembly security council (Vols. 60 - A, 63rd ed., pp. 1-45).

Alfano, S. (2007). Report: Children In Darfur Tortured, Raped. CBS News. Retrieved April 29, 2009, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/19/world/main2704000.shtml

Ki-moon, b. (2009). Un news centre. Retrieved April 29, 2009, http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=70&Body=Palestin&Body1=

Jenkins, J., Masuike, H., Ashby-Kuhlman, N., & Fisher, R. (2009, January). Timeline: Israel, the Gaza Strip, and Hamas. The new york times.

Erlanger, S. (2009, January 10). A Gaza War full of traps and trickery. The new york times.

World YWCA calls for justice after Gaza War (2009, January 21). Retrieved April 29, 2009, http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00422.htm

• http://organizations.missouristate.edu/stand/Darfur-Map.gif• http://ncowie.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/darfur-poster.jpg• http://www.zionism-israel.com/darfur.jpg• http://www.oacdst.org/images/refugees-darfur.jpg• http://www.freewebs.com/knowdarfur/Darfur%20Pic.jpg• http://bariisiyobasto.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/gaza-war-

003.jpg• http://www.pakistans.com/gaza/gaza-war-kids-are-crying.gif• http://eldib.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/iraq-women-

mother-dead-child.jpg•