Darfur / Children’s authors urge action to protect children in Darfur

Children’s authors urge action to protect children in Darfur

J.K. Rowling, Judy Blume, R.L. Stine and others say it’s ‘time to tell a different story’ for Darfur’s kids

 

WASHINGTON – The world’s leading children’s authors including J.K. Rowling, Judy Blume, R.L. Stine, and Louis Sachar today published an open letter demanding the world wake up to childhood under attack in Darfur.

 

On the eve of the Global Day for Darfur – with events in dozens of countries around the world marking the fifth anniversary of the conflict – fourteen children’s authors from North America, Africa, Europe and the Arab World have come together to demand resolute action from the international community.

 

The passionately written letter says that, “Children barely old enough to walk, let alone run, have seen their homes burnt and razed to the ground, their mothers raped and their fathers killed. Most are now holed up in sprawling camps, traumatised and living in fear.”

 

The list of signatories includes some of the most eminent names in children’s literature from right around the world. They include J.K Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, Tracey West who has written 30 best-selling books in the Pokemon series, Cornelia Funke a multiple award-winning German author best known for her Inkworld trilogy and Judy Blume who has sold over 65 million copies of her children’s books.

 

The letter goes on to urge that, “It is time to change the narrative. It is time to tell a different story. This April many children in Darfur will be reaching their fifth birthdays without ever having known peace. The world needs to wake up. For too long it has let these children suffer. Our politicians need to act on Darfur.”

 

Specifically, the authors call for the international community to demand an immediate ceasefire, full deployment of the U.N. peacekeeping force, action against anyone blocking deployment and support for a just peace process.

 

The letter is signed by 14 authors in all. Their appeal concludes, “The children of Darfur didn’t ask for this war, but are living their days caught in the crossfire of reverberating bullets. They must be allowed to be children again. Despite the daily terror they face, they still have hopes and dreams. The world needs to act now to give the children of Darfur a future.”

 

The full text of the letter follows:

 

EMBARGOED UNTIL 12:01am SATURDAY, APRIL 12

 

In Darfur there is a story that is being told, re-told, and told again.  It is a story of loss, fear, and trauma. Of children’s fates being dictated by armed men. It is a not a story that we want to tell you. But it is a story you must hear.

 

Today is the Day for Darfur, which marks the fifth anniversary of one of the world’s bloodiest conflicts.  Over 200,000 people have been killed and over two million have been forced to flee from their homes and villages.  Children barely old enough to walk, yet alone run, have seen their homes burnt and razed to the ground, their mothers raped and their fathers killed. Most are now holed up in sprawling camps, traumatised and living in fear. Children in Darfur draw pictures of bombs and guns. It is all they have ever known. Childhood is under attack in Darfur.

 

It is time to change the narrative. It is time to tell a different story.  This April many children in Darfur will be reaching their fifth birthdays without ever having known peace. The world needs to wake up. For too long it has let these children suffer. Our politicians need to act on Darfur. It is time they demanded an immediate ceasefire, fully supported by the peacekeepers, and punish anyone who tries to block their deployment. They must also do more to support a peace process based on justice and human rights, so there can be hope of an end to the suffering.

 

The children of Darfur didn’t ask for this war, but are living their days caught in the crossfire of reverberating bullets. They must be allowed to be children again. Despite the daily terror they face, they still have hopes and dreams. The world needs to act now to give the children of Darfur a future.

 

Signatories:

Mike Berenstain

Judy Blume

Gillian Cross

Anne Fine

Cornelia Funke

Julia Golding

Michael Morpugo

J.K. Rowling

Louis Sachar

Rawya Sadek

Amanda Sthers

R.L. Stine

Tracey West

Daniel Pennac