This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6997327.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Worldwide rallies held for Darfur Worldwide rallies held for Darfur
(about 13 hours later)
Protests have been taking place in 30 countries to bring attention to the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region.Protests have been taking place in 30 countries to bring attention to the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region.
London, Paris, San Francisco and New York all held events ahead of key meetings of world leaders at the United Nations next week.London, Paris, San Francisco and New York all held events ahead of key meetings of world leaders at the United Nations next week.
On the Global Day for Darfur, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called the conflict "one of the great tragedies of our time".On the Global Day for Darfur, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called the conflict "one of the great tragedies of our time".
Some 200,000 people have been killed and 2m displaced in Darfur since 2003. Some 200,000 people have died and 2m displaced in Darfur since 2003.
The government in Khartoum and Arab militias allied to it have been blamed for massacres of Darfur's black African population - charges the government denies.The government in Khartoum and Arab militias allied to it have been blamed for massacres of Darfur's black African population - charges the government denies.
'Strong message''Strong message'
Demonstrations organised by groups including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Save Darfur Coalition were scheduled from Japan to Vancouver to Accra in Ghana.Demonstrations organised by groups including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Save Darfur Coalition were scheduled from Japan to Vancouver to Accra in Ghana.
MAJOR DARFUR RALLIES London: March from Sudan embassy to Downing StSan Francisco: Film screening and interfaith prayerNew York: Rally and speeches outside UN HQOttawa (Mon 17th): Blindfold wearing and human chain outside Canada's parliamentFrance: Events in at least 18 citiesAccra, Ghana: Blindfolds and people chain Source: Globe for Darfur Quick guide: DarfurMAJOR DARFUR RALLIES London: March from Sudan embassy to Downing StSan Francisco: Film screening and interfaith prayerNew York: Rally and speeches outside UN HQOttawa (Mon 17th): Blindfold wearing and human chain outside Canada's parliamentFrance: Events in at least 18 citiesAccra, Ghana: Blindfolds and people chain Source: Globe for Darfur Quick guide: Darfur
One theme is the donning of blindfolds to tell world leaders not to look away from the continuing violence in Darfur.One theme is the donning of blindfolds to tell world leaders not to look away from the continuing violence in Darfur.
Protesters in Rome wore T-shirts bearing a blood-stained hand and carried a peace torch they said was originally lit in Chad - the home to hundreds of thousands of Darfur refugees.Protesters in Rome wore T-shirts bearing a blood-stained hand and carried a peace torch they said was originally lit in Chad - the home to hundreds of thousands of Darfur refugees.
Demonstrators in London carried signs reading "Rape, torture, murder. How much longer for Darfur?"Demonstrators in London carried signs reading "Rape, torture, murder. How much longer for Darfur?"
A video has been filmed for the day, featuring celebrities such as actor Matt Damon and supermodel Elle Macpherson.A video has been filmed for the day, featuring celebrities such as actor Matt Damon and supermodel Elle Macpherson.
BBC Africa editor Martin Plaut, at the London rally, says he has spoken to many who have had personal experience of the refugee camps and for them this is an emotional moment.BBC Africa editor Martin Plaut, at the London rally, says he has spoken to many who have had personal experience of the refugee camps and for them this is an emotional moment.
Organisers insist the world leaders must act when they meet at the United Nations next week.Organisers insist the world leaders must act when they meet at the United Nations next week.
The director of Human Rights Watch, Tom Porteous, said there was a window of opportunity for the provision of an effective peacekeeping force but it must be taken.The director of Human Rights Watch, Tom Porteous, said there was a window of opportunity for the provision of an effective peacekeeping force but it must be taken.
He added: "We will also be addressing a very strong message for the Sudanese government, which bears the bulk of the responsibility for this conflict."He added: "We will also be addressing a very strong message for the Sudanese government, which bears the bulk of the responsibility for this conflict."
On Sunday, Gordon Brown told the BBC World Service he wanted Darfur's proposed peacekeeping force to be in place by the end of the year.On Sunday, Gordon Brown told the BBC World Service he wanted Darfur's proposed peacekeeping force to be in place by the end of the year.
Gordon Brown threatened a move to further sanctions on SudanGordon Brown threatened a move to further sanctions on Sudan
Mr Brown pledged technical help for the UN-African Union force and warned of further sanctions if fighting continued.Mr Brown pledged technical help for the UN-African Union force and warned of further sanctions if fighting continued.
Analysts say Mr Brown's timetable for a peacekeeping force is ambitious, given that Sudan's Arab government has been reluctant to accept the involvement of non-African troops.Analysts say Mr Brown's timetable for a peacekeeping force is ambitious, given that Sudan's Arab government has been reluctant to accept the involvement of non-African troops.
Khartoum agreed to a hybrid peacekeeping force including some UN peacekeepers only after months of negotiations.Khartoum agreed to a hybrid peacekeeping force including some UN peacekeepers only after months of negotiations.
Government forces and their allies continue to fight local rebels, but Mr Brown said it would "disastrous" if the fighting did not stop.Government forces and their allies continue to fight local rebels, but Mr Brown said it would "disastrous" if the fighting did not stop.
He said if a UN-brokered peace did not work "and we find that the government of Sudan is not making the changes necessary, then we will have to move to further sanctions".He said if a UN-brokered peace did not work "and we find that the government of Sudan is not making the changes necessary, then we will have to move to further sanctions".
Chinese teamChinese team
On a visit to Rome this week, Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir said he was willing to sign a peace deal with rebel groups ahead of talks with them in Libya on 27 October.On a visit to Rome this week, Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir said he was willing to sign a peace deal with rebel groups ahead of talks with them in Libya on 27 October.
China prepares a 300-strong team for DarfurChina prepares a 300-strong team for Darfur
BBC world affairs correspondent Mark Doyle says the UK leader's comments reflect Western impatience with the Khartoum government. Commentators have accused Sudan of deliberately blocking attempts to mediate the conflict.BBC world affairs correspondent Mark Doyle says the UK leader's comments reflect Western impatience with the Khartoum government. Commentators have accused Sudan of deliberately blocking attempts to mediate the conflict.
The peacekeeping force will be made up of about 20,000 soldiers and 6,000 police officers.The peacekeeping force will be made up of about 20,000 soldiers and 6,000 police officers.
Thousands of African Union peacekeepers are already in the region, the rest are due to begin arriving next month.Thousands of African Union peacekeepers are already in the region, the rest are due to begin arriving next month.
On Sunday China allowed a rare viewing of a military base where engineers and medical staff are preparing for deployment in Darfur.On Sunday China allowed a rare viewing of a military base where engineers and medical staff are preparing for deployment in Darfur.
Analysts say China hopes the 300-strong team will deflect widespread criticism of its reluctance to approve foreign intervention in Darfur.Analysts say China hopes the 300-strong team will deflect widespread criticism of its reluctance to approve foreign intervention in Darfur.