Google Zooms in on Darfur Atrocities

Techtree News Staff, Apr 11, 2007 1914 hrs IST

Google's much talked about online mapping service, Google Earth, will now draw public attention to reported atrocities in the Darfur region of Sudan.

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Google's much talked about online mapping service, Google Earth, will now draw public attention to reported continued atrocities in the Darfur region of Sudan.

The project was flagged off yesterday by Google along with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Under the aegis of this project, Google Earth has been updated with high resolution satellite imagery of Darfur that documents destroyed villages, displaced people, and refugee camps, among others.

So, Google Earth users will now come across icons when they scour the Darfur region. The icons represent destroyed villages with flames and refugee camps with tents.

Clicking on flame icons will lead users to information on the villages destroyed. The resolution for some areas has been enhanced to the extent that users can see the burnt remnants of houses.

One icon even links to a presentation by the Holocaust Museum on crisis ridden Darfur, complete with photos, videos, historical background, and testimony on atrocities.

Interestingly, most Sudanese officials, including President Omar al-Bashir, have denied occurrence of widespread atrocities in Darfur.

Whereas the Hague-based International Criminal Court has accused officials and militias of orchestrating massacres, mass rapes, and the forcible transfer of thousands of civilians from their homes.

The United Nations estimates that so far, over 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million displaced, in the 4 years of carnage that has occurred in Darfur.

Sara Bloomfield, Director of the Holocaust Museum, said museum staff had approached Google about the project as they sought ways to highlight what they believe is 'Genocide' to many people who remain unaware.

During inauguration of the project, a Darfur native and former officer for the German Red Cross, Daowd Salih, actually said they need President Bashir and other perpetrators to know that they are being watched.

Of course, to many others, it is looking like Google is once again venturing into political territory. Earlier, the company had come under fire over replacing post-Hurricane Katrina imagery on its map portal with views of the city as it existed before the storm.

USER COMMENTS

That's nice that we know about it. Is any of us doing anything about it? Certainly I'm not. But what would REALLY impress me would be for Google to take a spare 4 billion and put together a private techno-army to take over the Sudan. THAT would make a difference.

by jason livesay, san diego, ca, on Apr 12, 2007 01:55 AM, Report abuse Reply

Jason , do you think they need any mini 14s?

by L.A. Jones, La Mesa, on May 22, 2009 11:57 AM, Report abuse

Maybe Google is once again venturing into political territory but so what. I say thank you to Sara Bloomfield, Director of the Holocaust Museum, said museum staff had approached Google about the project as they sought ways to highlight what they believe is 'Genocide' to many people who remain unaware. And I also say thank you to Google for responding no matter what their reason was. Don

by Donald Peckham, Oceanside, California., on May 06, 2007 06:27 PM, Report abuse Reply

These atrocious crimes toward humanity should be displayed for the world to see, that is the only way awareness is created!

by Roxannne Tetz, North Vancouver, British Columbia, on Apr 17, 2007 10:50 AM, Report abuse Reply

Google "Peak Oil" and learn why atrocity and starvation is headed your way soon!

by Wolfeman, Houston, on Apr 14, 2007 12:30 AM, Report abuse Reply

While they are at it, they should show all the freaks who fund & profit from these kind of acts as giant, red pentagrams, of course then we'd have no government at all, so nevermind.

by Ben, Meh, on Apr 12, 2007 09:25 PM, Report abuse Reply

good job google keep it up. The best way to show to people of the world the truth is to show them

by kelly r merrill, princeville HI, on Apr 12, 2007 10:26 AM, Report abuse Reply

Well surely the world would like to know more about such things....how about some pictures of W.BANK & GAZA strip were palestines are making FALSE COMPLAINTS about the trully peaceful state of ISRAEL.And let add the totally peaceful POK where there are no terrorist camps! But i do not believe it is in american intreasts.Better to focus on DAFUR else the world will realise US diplomacy

by WHIZ, Pune, on Apr 12, 2007 09:47 AM, Report abuse Reply

I wish they would update some areas in China including Shanghai, now the map shows seamless images of side by side areas that have about 100 year difference. Kind of makes the Google Earth useless when you can't trust anything.

by Zep, Shanghai, on Apr 11, 2007 11:03 PM, Report abuse Reply

Interesting, be happy that they kept satelite photos for 100 years... :p I don't doubt there are lots of older satelite shots in with newer.

by Anonymous, Fargo, on Apr 12, 2007 02:14 AM, Report abuse

So what?s is new the whole world is hell bent on self destruction. Animals behave better than humans. I just hope we get a second chance sometime in the future. I don?t believe in any Gods or mankind both have never saved us.

by JoeSoapy, Braunton, on Apr 12, 2007 01:59 AM, Report abuse Reply

Good for Google. I think its a great thing that they are doing.

by Kristin, zanesville, on Apr 11, 2007 07:55 PM, Report abuse Reply

Where are the links. I am tired of news orgs. doing stories on how a website just added something, or stories on a new website that dont include any links. Pointless.

by Dan Smathericks, Darfur, on Apr 12, 2007 01:47 AM, Report abuse

I think they should put little red triangles near Belzec, Auschwitz and Dachau, maybe in the Orient where children are sold into sexual slavery, or in Somalia where starvation is beginning again. Here in the US they could put little triangles for when there are no sales at Walmart and Vista comes out. Only then will they truly change the world

by ekbest, Manitowoc, on Apr 12, 2007 12:13 AM, Report abuse Reply

fabulous, any way that we can keep attention on global atricity is so very important. We must not HIDE the truth, but expose it.

by L.M.R., santa barbara, on Apr 12, 2007 12:13 AM, Report abuse Reply

If anyone is interested in knowing more about Darfur then watch the documentary called 'Children of Darfur'. The documentary in itself is a superb work & the situation in Darfur is shown as it is.

by Gdn | TD, Chennai, on Apr 11, 2007 11:03 PM, Report abuse Reply

Great work google! Maybe this will help stop the terror that works in secrecy and hidden from the public eye.

by Barbara Campbel, Circleville, on Apr 11, 2007 07:58 PM, Report abuse Reply

Someone give me Lat Long. Can't find Darfur in fly to

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by wolf, Toronter, Ontarion, on Apr 11, 2007 09:15 PM, Report abuse

Want to sell your soul? I will buy

by Devil, Hell, on Apr 11, 2007 10:09 PM, Report abuse

FANTASTIC! I AM PROUD OF GOOGLE (AND VERY THANKFUL)

by Nancy Okie, Madison, Connecticut, on Apr 11, 2007 09:13 PM, Report abuse Reply

Kudos Google! I hate feeling so helpless, while other people suffer. I'm glad that your company can take a stand.

by Jennifer Hayes, Brooklyn, New York, on Apr 11, 2007 08:54 PM, Report abuse Reply

Great idea! Let Google Earth be our "eyes" on atrocities thruout the world. We should view the unlining reasons for these horrific acts of violence such as vast natural gas pipelines being constructed by the Sudanese government with aid from Communist China. Whether it's Darfur, Iraq, Burma or Katrina let no stone be unturned.

by Charles Law, Bellingham, on Apr 11, 2007 08:52 PM, Report abuse Reply

Great! Now make it required reading to every head of state, including our stupid President.

by Phyllis B. Abra, Plymouth Meeting, on Apr 11, 2007 08:45 PM, Report abuse Reply

Google can and should do this. Part of our 1st amend. Google shouldn't back down from any heat that political roles play. It is after all, "their" map. Not Washington's.

by Bryan, Austin, on Apr 11, 2007 08:42 PM, Report abuse Reply

Yes, slap the Sudanese leaders into a pillory with this STREETS OF SHAME approach. It's the only way to try to change their policy of genocidal slaughter of their own citizens.

by John, London, on Apr 11, 2007 08:24 PM, Report abuse Reply

The only way is to actually go in and fight the Janjaweed. The Janjaweed have no shame. They don't care what other people think, and they fight according to reality, not UN mandates or public opinion. The simple fact is, the Christian Africans of Darfur have nothing worth fighting for, so no one is going to help them. Now if only reporters could figure that out, we might start getting worthwhile reporting on things that actually concern the modern world.

by Mark, Orlando, on Apr 11, 2007 08:37 PM, Report abuse

SOMEONE has to act on the ongoing atrocities in Darfur, since certainly the Bush administration is ignoring it--no profit to be made, no attention paid!

by Judith Barron, Milford, on Apr 11, 2007 08:33 PM, Report abuse Reply

Big brother is Watching.

by Constance, COlorado Springs, on Apr 11, 2007 07:50 PM, Report abuse Reply

Yes, that's true on a general level but not so much in this case because any person with an internet connection can view this.

by Steve, Buffalo, on Apr 11, 2007 08:04 PM, Report abuse

keep up the good work. I would like to know how to bring up the map and icons of darfur,so if you let me know that would be great. I would like to know more about this thank you .

by david, oxford nova scotia, canada, on Apr 11, 2007 08:00 PM, Report abuse Reply