What is the Arab Coalition for Darfur, and why?
The Arab Coalition for Darfur was founded in May 2008 as an Arab-African alliance comprises more than forty of the Organization of Arab civil society organizations in 17 Arab countries, and was established in direct response to the Arab formal and informal silence for what is happening in Darfur, and to contribute effectively to change the tragic situation in Darfur and provide a model for the role of the civil society in defending the rights of individuals and groups, including women and children, that their rights are violated in armed conflicts and humanitarian crises.
The Message of the Arab Coalition for Darfur:
To raise awareness about Darfur crisis in the Arab world and break the silence towards it.
The objectives:
- To stop the attacks and acts of violence and protect civilians.
- Inform the Arab public opinion and to activate the media’s role in the Darfur crisis.
- Urge the Arab countries to activate their role and positive contributions to resolve Darfur crisis.
Work Mechanisms:
- Networking and building alliances at the national level and regional levels.
- Communicate with the media (the formation of media network).
- Planning and organizing the support and advocacy campaigns.
- Networking with the parties and the various national powers and open a dialogue to coordinate with all parties of the Arab civil society.
- Communicate and open up a dialogue with the League of Arab States.
- Creating a forum for the coalition or periodic forums “Exhibitions – seminars.”
- Activating the role of Arab youth in positively dealing with the Darfur crisis.
- Formation of a committee of the Arab parliamentarians to advocate for Darfur.
- A website for the Coalition.
Coalition’s Activities:
- A conference on “searching for a sustainable peace in Darfur” – Khartoum 5 to 8 May 2009.
- Solidarity visit to Sudan in May 2009, was a series of meetings with the citizens of Darfur and Sudanese civil society to stand on the situation in Darfur.
- A workshop entitled (Arab parliamentarians and the Darfur crisis) – Cairo, 15 to 16 April 2009.
- A conference parallel to the Arab summit entitled “Darfur and the upcoming Arab summit,” 7 to 8 March 2009.
- Participation in the conference of the foreign ministers of Islamic countries and directing an open letter from the coalition to the Conference – Kampala -11 -6 -2008.
Membership:
Based on the representation of organizations or individuals who believe in the coalition’s vision, and able to work hard effectively with commitment and responsibility to achieve the message of the coalition.
The Coalition membership is open and to join for individuals or organizations it need the endorsement of at least two members of the members of the secretariat.
The Coalition includes many organizations from the Arab countries: including Jordan, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Iraq, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania and Yemen.
Members of the Executive Secretariat:
- Dr. Al Baqer Al-Afif – Al Khatim Adlan Center for Enlightenment and Human Development – Sudan.
- Mr.Abd- Almonim Al Jack – Human Rights Activist- Sudan.
- Mr. Mohamed Zayed Almai – Suadi Journalist – Saudi Arabia.
- Ms. Safia Fahasy – Algerian Coordination Organization for the families of the missing – Algeria.
- Mr. Nabil Abdel Hafeez – Democratic Social Forum – Yemen.
- Ms. Bahia Mardini – National Organization of Human Rights – Syria.
- Mr. Mohammad Wahby – Moroccan Bada’il Forum – Morocco.
- Ms.Fawzyea Rabea – Bahrain Center for Human Rights – Bahrain.
- Sidi Othman Wald Alshaikh – Northern League for the development of democracy and human rights – Mauritania.
- Mr. Mohamed Al Khawalda – Human and Environment Watch – Jordan.
Advisory Committee for the coalition:
Dr. Amin Makki Madani – Sudan
Mr. George Isaac – Egypt
Mr. Saad Hagras – Egypt
Mr. Nabil Abdel-Fattah – Egypt
Secretary-General:
Mr. Haggag Nayel – The Arab Program for Human Rights Activists – Egypt.
Legal Advisor:
Mr. Saleh Mahmoud.
Mr.Zahir Hial Zahir , Coalition Coordinator.
Mr. Wadah Tabir , Coordiantor Assistant.
Member Organizations:
| Sudan Development Association SDA – Sudan |
| Civil Observatory for Human Rights – Sudan |
| Equality Center for Democratic Studies and Research – Jordan |
| Cooperation Center for Civil Society Organizations – Jordan |
| Bahrain Youth Forum – Bahrain |
| Bahrain Human Rights Society – Bahrain |
| Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights – Bahrain |
| Amnesty International – Bahrain |
| Iraqi Network for Human Rights – Iraq |
| Social Democratic Forum – Yemen |
| Al Shaqa’iq Forum – Yemen |
| Information and Rehabilitation Center for Human Rights – Yemen |
| The Palestinian Society for Human Rights (Rased) – Palestine |
| Al Dameer Organization for the Political Prisoners’ Welfare – Palestine |
| The National Council for Liberties – Tunisia |
| Tunisian Society of Democratic Women – Tunisia |
| National Committee for Human Rights – Qatar |
| Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights – Algeria |
| The Somalian Umbrella for Development – Somalia |
| Somalian Youth Organization – Somalia |
| Bini Zoli Forum for communication – Morocco |
| Association Moultaka pour les jeunes de developpement – Morocco |
| Alternative Information Center – Morocco |
| Alternative Development Studies’ Center – Egypt |
| Sudan Children Association – Egypt |
| Civil Observatory for Human Rights – Egypt |
| Foundation of national affiliation of Human Rights – Egypt |
| Arab Organization for Civil Society and Human Rights Support – Egypt |
| Egyptian Democratic Institute for the Awareness of Constitutional and Legal Rights – Egypt |
| Sudan Children Association – Egypt |