British, US stars call for action over Darfur

April 28, 2007 (LONDON) — Actors and musicians including Elton John, George Clooney, Bob Geldof and Mick Jagger called Saturday on world leaders to take “decisive action” over atrocities in Darfur.

The statement was being released to coincide with the Global Day for Darfur Sunday, marking the fourth anniversary of the conflict.

“The international community must end its stalling and take decisive action,” the group, which also includes Hugh Grant, Mia Farrow and Mark Knopfler.

“The perpetrators who carry out these atrocities must be challenged and stopped.”

The Global Day for Darfur was to be marked around the world by activists overturning 10,000 hourglasses filled with fake blood.

The event has been organised by a coalition including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Protestors are to hold a march on Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Downing Street office plus a demonstration outside the Sudanese embassy in London.

The conflict in the western region of Sudan has led to 200,000 deaths and two million people being displaced, according to the United Nations.

Sudan contests the figures, saying that only 9,000 have died.

(AFP)