Protest calls for Darfur action

Protesters called for an "effective peacekeeping force" in Darfur

Thousands of protesters in London have demanded protection for civilians in Darfur on the fourth anniversary of the start of conflict in the Sudan region.

At the event in Whitehall, fake blood flowed from a two-metre hourglass to represent the bloodshed.

During a global day of action 10,000 hourglasses will be turned under the slogan: "Time is up... protect Darfur."

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said the world was "looking away as genocide is committed" in Darfur.

An estimated 200,000 people have been killed in the four-year conflict.

Celebrities including Hugh Grant, Bob Geldof and Mariella Frostrup have joined the calls for world governments to act to end the bloodshed.

Kristyan Benedict from Amnesty International told the rally the fake blood was to highlight that "in certain parts of Darfur blood is running like water".

"It's an horrific scene in Darfur, and this is just meant to be one of those representations that show what's really going on," he said.

"You'll never be able to recreate that, though - you'll never get the authenticity, the smell, the degradation, the brutality of what's actually going on in Darfur."

Peacekeeping force

Protesters in Whitehall outside Downing Street urged the government to keep pushing for an effective peacekeeping force in the region.

Women and girls are being raped, young boys are being forced to become child soldiers Ismael Jarbo Darfur survivor World rallies for Darfur

Campaigners handed a letter addressed to the prime minister urging him to "use your influence to push the international community to call for action".

It read: "Time is running out for the people of Darfur, and we urge you to keep the pressure on the government of Sudan until there is an effective peace-keeping force on the ground protecting civilians.

"Whilst we welcome the efforts that you and your government have taken, there is still an urgent need to do more."

The letter was received by International Development Minister Gareth Thomas.

He shook hand with campaigners and said he would bring the letter to the attention of Tony Blair and International Development Secretary Hilary Benn.

Situation 'worsening'

In a statement, Mr Thomas said that if the Sudanese president did not honour humanitarian commitments made, "we will have to press for tougher measures in the [UN] Security Council".

He said these would include targeted sanctions against individuals, extending an arms embargo to cover all of Sudan and "measures to allow better monitoring of the illegal use of aircraft in Darfur".

Darfur survivor Ismael Jarbo told the protest the situation in the region "has gone from bad to worse".

Fake blood flowed through a large hourglass

"Genocide is really going on today, so we really need to do something now today," he said.

Mr Jarbo called for the international community to act, possibly with military intervention.

"People are relying on aid agencies. "Aid agencies can't operate as it's not safe. I'm here to raise awareness to the international community," he said.

"Women and girls are being raped, young boys are being forced to become child soldiers."

'Tougher action'

On Friday, Tony Blair promised "tougher action" against the Sudanese government and rebels if they failed to act to end the crisis.

The conflict has led to 16 un-enforced UN resolutions and provoked 60 statements of concern from the EU but, according to campaigners, "zero action".

The African Union (AU) peacekeeping force is struggling to halt widespread abuses and violence, but Sudan is rejecting plans for it to hand over to a larger, stronger UN mission.

Sudan's government and the pro-government Arab militias are accused of war crimes against the region's black African population, although the UN has stopped short of calling it genocide.

More than two million people are living in camps after fleeing fighting in the region.

Mr Hain was one of eight Labour politicians involved in the party leadership race to make a statement on the issue.

Left-wing leadership candidate John McDonnell said the failure to take action was "a shameful indictment of a Europe that is more concerned with trade than preventing genocide".

Campaigners said the political statements made for the day of action had to be acted on by whoever was part of the next administration.