13th April 2008 UK organisers of the Day for Darfur are planning a major demonstration outside the Sudanese Embassy, starting at 12.30pm on 13th April. Jonathan Freedland (The Guardian) will be compering the rally and he will be joined by speakers including politicians, activists and faith leaders. Musicians from a range of backgrounds will also contribute to the rally.

$55M in Small Arms Sold By China to Sudan

China sold over $55 million worth of small arms to Sudan as the violence escalated in Darfur, a new Human Rights First report released today finds. While other countries were decreasing their arms sales to Khartoum, China stepped in to fill the void by providing Sudan with some 90 percent of its small arms during 2004-2006. This makes China the single largest provider of small arms to Sudan.

The government and rebel movements in Darfur had failed to protect civilians in areas under their control and were violating international human rights and humanitarian law, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Sudan Simar Samar said during a press conference at UNMIS’ Khartoum headquarters on 10 March.

“I received reports of killings, sexual violence, arbitrary arrest and detention and impunity for such crimes,” said Ms. Samar, who was concluding a visit to the country that began on 27 February and included visits to Port Sudan, Khartoum and Darfur.