In response to a rebellion in the Darfur region of Sudan, the Sudanese government began targeting Darfuri civilians with aerial bombardment and brutal raids by government supported militias, known as the Janjaweed.  The result has been whole villages burned to the ground, indiscriminate killing, systemic rape, hundreds of thousands dead, and millions of people displaced. Despite the horrific nature of the conflict and international outcry against the actions of the Sudanese government, many firms continue to do business in Sudan in ways that bring financial and other support to the Sudanese government’ s campaign of terror.

“As citizens of Nebraska, we don’t think that we should be investing in firms that support genocide,” said Sarah Beringer, a UNL student and Divest Nebraska member. She added, “Divest Nebraska will be working very hard this school year to ensure that our state invests its money in companies that respect human rights.”

In addition to raising awareness on campus, the group intends to work with members of the Nebraska Unicameral to pass divestment legislation, and engage students in their efforts to make an impact on human rights abuses in Sudan. So far, 27 states and 61 universities have decided to divest from targeted companies doing business in Sudan.

You can learn more about Divest Nebraska at http://www.divestnebraska.org/

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