Team Darfur
Encyclopedia
Team Darfur is an international association of athletes devoted to raising awareness of humanitarian crises related to War in Darfur
. It is among the many organizations that consider the War to involve genocide.
Team Darfur attracted greater attention in the run-up to the 2008 Summer Olympics
, because the Olympics are located in China, a country widely criticized for its economic involvement in Darfur.
In particular, Team Darfur criticized China's economic and diplomatic support for the Sudanian government headed by Omar al-Bashir
. Al-Bashir currently faces genocide charges in the International Criminal Court
, which accuses him of masterminding attempts to wipe out African tribes in Darfur with a campaign of murder, rape and deportation carried out using Janjaweed
fighters. For its part, China's stated policy in Sudan is to participate in international peacekeeping and diplomatic efforts while having "respect for [Sudan's] sovereignty and territorial integrity" and encouraging economic development http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-02/16/content_6460400.htm.
Team Darfur attempted to exert pressure on the Chinese government by associating the Beijing Olympics with China's involvement in Darfur.
On August 6, 2008, China revoked the entrance visa of Joey Cheek
, Team Darfur's president and co-founder, hours before he was scheduled to leave for Beijing. Cheek was not competing in the 2008 Summer Olympics
, but had planned attend the games in support of Team Darfur.
War in Darfur
The Darfur Conflict was a guerrilla conflict or civil war centered on the Darfur region of Sudan. It began in February 2003 when the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and Justice and Equality Movement groups in Darfur took up arms, accusing the Sudanese government of oppressing non-Arab Sudanese in...
. It is among the many organizations that consider the War to involve genocide.
Team Darfur attracted greater attention in the run-up to the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, because the Olympics are located in China, a country widely criticized for its economic involvement in Darfur.
In particular, Team Darfur criticized China's economic and diplomatic support for the Sudanian government headed by Omar al-Bashir
Omar al-Bashir
Lieutenant General Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir is the current President of Sudan and the head of the National Congress Party. He came to power in 1989 when he, as a brigadier in the Sudanese army, led a group of officers in a bloodless military coup that ousted the government of Prime Minister...
. Al-Bashir currently faces genocide charges in the International Criminal Court
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court is a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression .It came into being on 1 July 2002—the date its founding treaty, the Rome Statute of the...
, which accuses him of masterminding attempts to wipe out African tribes in Darfur with a campaign of murder, rape and deportation carried out using Janjaweed
Janjaweed
The Janjaweed is a blanket term used to describe mostly gunmen in Darfur, western Sudan, and now eastern Chad...
fighters. For its part, China's stated policy in Sudan is to participate in international peacekeeping and diplomatic efforts while having "respect for [Sudan's] sovereignty and territorial integrity" and encouraging economic development http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-02/16/content_6460400.htm.
Team Darfur attempted to exert pressure on the Chinese government by associating the Beijing Olympics with China's involvement in Darfur.
On August 6, 2008, China revoked the entrance visa of Joey Cheek
Joey Cheek
+William Joseph Cheek is an American speed skater and former inline speed skater...
, Team Darfur's president and co-founder, hours before he was scheduled to leave for Beijing. Cheek was not competing in the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, but had planned attend the games in support of Team Darfur.