Dream for Darfur condemns the abduction of oil-field workers

DREAM FOR DARFUR CONDEMNS THE ABDUCTION OF OIL-FIELD WORKERS

Oct. 25, 2007 — Dream for Darfur condemns the abduction of oil-field workers by a Darfur rebel group – and any targeting of civilians or use of hostage-taking in the Darfur conflict.

The Associated Press reported that the Defra oil field in the Kordofan region of Sudan was attacked Tuesday by rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement and that two workers there — a Canadian and an Iraqi — were kidnapped.

A JEM spokesman quoted by the AP said the attack and abductions were meant to send a message of protest to foreign oil companies, in particular those owned by the Chinese government, over the use of revenues from oil to underwrite Khartoum’s killing campaign in Darfur. The rebel spokesman threatened future attacks if the oil companies did not cease operations.

“We deplore attacks against any civilians,” said Jill Savitt, Director of Dream for Darfur. “Rebel movements are engaging in precisely the actions they claim to abhor when they attack innocents. In the search for peace in Darfur, such aggressive rights violations by leaders in the rebel movement will only serve to undermine the cause that unites all Darfuris.”

Dream for Darfur runs the Olympic Dream for Darfur campaign which urges China to press Khartoum to consent to the expedited deployment of a true international protection force for Darfur. www.dreamfordarfur.org.