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Genocide-free Investing: Why is it Controversial at JPMorgan Chase?

Posted by Enough Team on Apr 24, 2012

JPMorgan Chase invests in PetroChina, a company with links to the Khartoum government, and thus connects its shareholders to state-sponsored atrocities across Sudan. In this guest blog post, William Rosenfeld of Investors Against Genocide explains how JPMorgan Chase has responded to concerns about this investment and what shareholders or prospective customers can do to push for a genocide-free investing policy.  Read More »

Satellites Reveal Destruction of Key Pipeline Infrastructure in Disputed Heglig Oil Field Between the Sudans

in
Date: 
Apr 22, 2012

Satellite Sentinel Project Press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jonathan Hutson, jhutson@enoughproject.org, +1-202-386-1618

WASHINGTON – The Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) has published new imagery indicating that as Sudan and South Sudan clashed over an oil field near the disputed border town of Heglig, a key part of the pipeline infrastructure was destroyed. The damage appears to be so severe, and in such a critical part of the oil infrastructure, that it would likely stop oil flow in the area, according to SSP.

Based on Harvard Humanitarian Initiative analysis of DigitalGlobe satellite imagery, SSP has concluded that what appears to be an oil collection manifold – equipment which allows for the diversion or combination of oil flows without interruption – was apparently blown up in some type of explosion. SSP says it cannot make a determination whether the damage resulted from aerial bombardment or ground action. Both nations have accused the other of deliberately damaging the oil field. Both sides claim sovereignty over Heglig, which South Sudan refers to as Panthou.

SSP stated: “The destroyed structure appears consistent with a collection manifold because of its shape and its location at the junction of multiple pipelines. The destruction of this particular collection manifold would likely result in the immediate cessation of oil flow in the area.”

Enough Project Co-founder John Prendergast said:

As the conflict has escalated over the last few weeks, the costs now include both lost lives and damaged oil infrastructure. As the losses pile up on both sides, the danger of a full-scale war continues to increase.

Enough Project Executive Director John C. Bradshaw said:

This destruction of oil infrastructure benefits neither side. To avoid the mutually disastrous consequences of an all-out war, both Sudans must return to the negotiating table to iron out a comprehensive peace deal that resolves the underlying issues, including border demarcation and oil revenue sharing.

After reportedly repulsing an attack by Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) on Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) positions in the town of Teshwin, on the South Sudanese border, SPLA retaliated by advancing into Heglig on 9 April 2012.

On 15 April, South Sudan's information minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, told reporters in Juba that the aerial bombardment of the oil facility in the Heglig region had caused serious damage. He stated, “They are bombing the central processing facility and the [oil] tanks to rubble as we speak.” On 20 April, South Sudan’s military spokesman, Col. Philip Aguer, announced that SPLA would withdraw from Heglig within three days. On 21 April, Sudan’s Acting Minister of Information, Sana Hamad, reported that the Government of Sudan possessed evidence of intentional sabotage to the oil installations carried out by forces of the SPLA.

Harvard Carr Center for Human Rights Policy Executive Director Charlie Clements, MD, said:

“The continuing conflict between Sudan and South Sudan endangers the human security of civilians on both sides of the border.”

Read the latest SSP report, Pipeline: Evidence of the Destruction of Key Oil Infrastructure in Heglig: http://satsentinel.org/report/pipeline-evidence-destruction-key-oil-infrastructure-heglig

View or download DigitalGlobe satellite imagery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/enoughproject/sets/72157629504710896/with/6954029742/

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About the Satellite Sentinel Project 

The Satellite Sentinel Project, http://satsentinel.org, combines satellite imagery analysis and field reports with Google’s Map Maker to deter the resumption of full-scale civil war between North and South Sudan and to hold all parties accountable for human rights crimes. Not On Our Watch provided seed money to launch SSP. The Enough Project contributes field reports and policy analysis, and, together with Not On Our Watch, pressures policymakers by urging the public to act. Google and Trellon collaborated to design the web platform. Harvard Humanitarian Initiative provides research and leads the collection, human rights analysis, and corroboration of on-the-ground reports that contextualizes the imagery. DigitalGlobe provides satellite imagery and additional analysis.

 

Satellites Show Buildup of Sudanese Military Strike Aircraft in Range of South Sudan and Evidence of Reported Looting in Heglig

in
Date: 
Apr 23, 2012

Satellite Sentinel Project Press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jonathan Hutson, jhutson@enoughproject.org, +1-202-386-1618

WASHINGTON – The Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) has published new imagery confirming that the Government of Sudan has dramatically increased the number of military strike aircraft at two airbases and that many are in range to fly deep into South Sudan. SSP has also documented, through the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative’s analysis of DigitalGlobe satellite imagery, craters consistent with reports that Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) aerially bombarded an apparent civilian area near a strategic bridge in Bentiu, the capital of Unity State, South Sudan.

SSP has also identified visual evidence consistent with reports of looting by Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and southern-aligned forces at a SAF military base in the disputed border town of Heglig. The destruction or seizure of enemy property may violate international law governing the conduct of land warfare.

SSP concluded that the military aircraft identified at Sudan’s airbases in El Obeid, North Kordofan, and Kadugli, South Kordofan, “may represent a significant portion” of SAF’s total combat-capable air assets. SSP states that at Sudan’s El Obeid airbase, it found five Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft, five apparent MiG-29 fighters, three Nanchang Q-5 fighters, and three Antonov transport aircraft of the type that SAF reportedly uses as bombers. SSP also identified eight Mi-24 helicopter gunships, at SAF’s airbases in El Obeid and Kadugli.

Enough Project  Co-founder John Prendergast said:

The increased concentration of Sudanese army and air force firepower within striking distance of its border with South Sudan signifies that we may not have yet seen the worst of the fighting. It is imperative that crisis diplomacy be enhanced, in particular by finding a way for China and the US to work together in support of a negotiated stand-down. Ultimately, the only way full-scale war will be averted is if a comprehensive peace deal can be struck that addresses the issues dividing Sudan and South Sudan, creates a process to address the escalating civil war within Sudan, and ends proxy support to each other’s rebels. If any of these issues is left unaddressed, the Sudans will continue to burn.

Harvard Carr Center for Human Rights Policy  Executive Director Charlie Clements, MD, said:

“This report documents evidence of disregard for basic laws of war by all parties to this widening conflict. All parties have responsibilities under international law to protect civilian lives and property.”

Read the latest SSP report, Escalation: Evidence of SAF and SPLA Combat Operations: http://satsentinel.org/report/escalation-evidence-saf-and-spla-combat-operations

View or download DigitalGlobe satellite imagery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/enoughproject/sets/72157629513977712/with/6958153848/

###

About the Satellite Sentinel Project

The Satellite Sentinel Project, http://satsentinel.org, combines satellite imagery analysis and field reports with Google’s Map Maker to deter the resumption of full-scale civil war between North and South Sudan and to hold all parties accountable for human rights crimes. Not On Our Watch provided seed money to launch SSP. The Enough Project contributes field reports and policy analysis, and, together with Not On Our Watch, pressures policymakers by urging the public to act. Google and Trellon collaborated to design the web platform. Harvard Humanitarian Initiative provides research and leads the collection, human rights analysis, and corroboration of on-the-ground reports that contextualizes the imagery. DigitalGlobe provides satellite imagery and additional analysis.

5 Stories You Might Have Missed This Week

Posted by Laura Heaton on Apr 21, 2012

A weekly round-up of must-read stories, posted every Friday (or on occasion, on Saturday).  Read More »

Enough Submits Petition to African Human Rights Commission Alleging Khartoum’s Violations of International Human Rights Law

Posted by Jenn Christian on Apr 20, 2012

Today, the Enough Project filed a petition before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, known as the African Human Rights Commission, against Sudan. The petition alleges that the government of Sudan’s indiscriminate aerial bombardment of civilian populations in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, its ground attacks against these populations, and its denial of international humanitarian aid to the two states violate, among other things, the rights to life and property afforded all Sudanese citizens under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, or the African Charter.  Read More »

South Sudan Says Army Will Withdraw from Disputed Heglig Oil Site

Posted by Amanda Hsiao on Apr 20, 2012

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir announced in a press statement released Friday afternoon that southern forces would unconditionally withdraw from Heglig—10 days after seizing the disputed oil-rich region from Sudan forces—in a gesture that is likely aimed primarily at restoring South Sudan’s declining image before the international community.  Read More »

Enough Project Petitions African Union to Take Action on Sudan Atrocities

in
Date: 
Apr 20, 2012

Press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Matt Brown, mbrown@enoughproject.org, +1-202-468-2925

WASHINGTON – The Enough Project filed a petition on April 20 against the Republic of Sudan seeking to bring attention to the widespread human rights abuses that the Sudanese government is perpetrating against its own people in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

The petition, filed before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, alleges that the government of Sudan’s intentional bombing of civilians and denial of international humanitarian aid to populations living in the two states constitute violations of, among other things, the rights to life and property afforded these civilians under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“Khartoum’s forces have deliberately bombed civilian homes, schools and clinics in direct violation of Sudan’s obligations under not only the African Charter, but also international human rights law and international humanitarian law,” said John Bradshaw, Enough Project executive director. “Exacerbating the situation is Khartoum’s steadfast refusal to permit international organizations to deliver desperately needed humanitarian or food aid to civilians resulting in emergency levels of food insecurity.”

When the African Commission convenes this week for one of its ordinary sessions, Sudan will submit a report on its human rights record. The draft document, recently released, contains not a word about the government’s siege in Blue Nile and South Kordofan.  At the same meeting, the Commission will consider the Enough Project’s petition, which describes a starkly different reality.

“The petition provides the African Union and the broader international community the opportunity to closely examine the most recent atrocities committed by the Sudanese government against its own people,” said Mark Quarterman, Enough Project director of research. “Dismayingly, these atrocities are nothing new; rather, they are the latest iteration in a pattern of human rights violations that Khartoum has committed against Sudanese civilians in South Sudan, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, the Abyei Area, Beja, and Darfur since at least the early 1990s.”

The international community should also take actions in the immediate term to provide technical assistance to Sudan’s opposition parties so as to enable those parties to constructively engage in political processes that will eventually allow for a fair, transparent, and inclusive constitutional process and democratic elections. 

“The time has come for the atrocities and cycle of impunity to end, and for democratic transformation to take hold in Sudan,” said Omer Ismail, Enough Project Sudan advisor. “Without a transition to a truly democratic government in Sudan, the Khartoum regime’s pattern of oppression and destruction against marginalized populations will continue as it has for decades.”

Read the full petition.

French Advocacy Group Collectif Urgence Darfour Debuts New Films Calling for Arrest of Sudan’s Bashir

Posted by Annie Callaway on Apr 19, 2012

As the world slowly begins to focus its gaze on the rapidly escalating tensions in Sudan, more and more groups are calling for the arrest of indicted war criminal President Omar al-Bashir as a key component to bringing an end to the violence. Joining in this global outcry with some clever new advocacy films is the Paris-based organization “Collectif Urgence Darfour.”  Read More »

Important Bosco Loyalist Accepts New Army Posting

Posted by Sarah Zingg Wimmer on Apr 18, 2012

News reached Goma yesterday that Col. Baudouin Ngaruye, one of Bosco Ntaganda’s most important allies, has accepted to be transferred to South Kivu. The reason behind Baudouin’s acceptance to be transferred away from the ex-CNDP strongholds in Masisi is uncertain, but the amount of ammunition his troops took along could point to an attempt to expand the area of control held by Ntaganda’s loyalists down to South Kivu.  Read More »

As Fighting on Sudan-South Sudan Border Intensifies, Uncertainty Remains for Thousands of Southerners in the North

Posted by Jenn Christian on Apr 18, 2012

Largely absent from recent coverage of Sudan and South Sudan has been the passage of the April 8 deadline after which ethnic southerners in Sudan—numbered as many as 700,000—were required to register as foreigners in Sudan or move back to South Sudan, where they are citizens.

   Read More »

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