Results: Genocide Intervention Network/Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Poll on Darfur

Results: Genocide Intervention Network/Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Poll on Darfur

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2007 — A new poll from the Genocide Intervention Network finds ending genocide is a high foreign policy priority for a majority of Americans. Despite the predominance of Iraq and terrorism in US media and foreign policy discussions, strong majorities feel that the United States should take action to bring about peace in Darfur, and favor doing so in cooperation with the international community.

Contact Ivan Boothe, Director of Communications, (202) 481-8220

Key Findings

Thinking about the United States' foreign policy priorities, such as Iraq, the war on terrorism, North Korea, and Iran, how high of a priority do you think it should be for America to do something about a humanitarian crisis like genocide?
Response Total Voters
An absolute top priority 19% 19%
A high but not top priority 43% 45%
A medium priority 20% 19%
A lower priority 7% 7%
Not a priority at all 7% 6%
Don't know/Refused 5% 4%
Total top/high 62% 64%
Total lower/none 14% 13%
Difference: Top/high and lower/none 49% 51%
How much have you heard about the situation in the Darfur region of the Sudan? Would you say you've heard a lot, some, a little, or nothing at all?
Response Total Voters
A lot 26% 29%
Some 33% 35%
A little 24% 23%
Nothing at all 16% 12%
Don't know/Refused 1% 1%
A lot/some 59% 65%
Little/none 40% 35%
Difference: A lot/some and little/none 18% 30%

Before continuing, the following blurb was read:

In 2003, fighting broke out in Africa between the government of the Sudan and rebels in the western region of Sudan, an area called Darfur. While putting down this rebellion, the Sudanese government has attacked not only these rebels but also ethnic groups in an effort to kill them or drive them out of the region. To date, two to four hundred thousand have been killed and over two and a half million have been driven from their homes. President Bush and the Congress have called the situation genocide, but the violence continues today.

There has been some discussion about what the U.S. could do to stop genocide in the Darfur region of the Sudan. As I mention some possible steps, please tell me whether you would favor or oppose each.
Possible Action Str Fav Smw Fav Smw Opp Str Opp DK/Ref Total Fav Total Opp Diff. Total Fav/Opp
Freezing assets of Sudanese leaders, even if they occasionally provide information to the U.S. on al Qaeda activity 27% 35% 17% 10% 11% 63% 27% 36%
Voters 29% 35% 17% 9% 11% 63% 26% 37%
Launching cruise missiles to destroy the Sudanese air force, which is often used to attack civilians in villages 12% 20% 23% 37% 8% 32% 59% –27%
Voters 10% 21% 24% 38% 8% 31% 62% –31%
Preventing tankers that carry Sudanese oil from docking at U.S. ports 19% 35% 22% 14% 10% 54% 36% 18%
Voters 20% 32% 23% 13% 11% 53% 36% 16%
Putting U.S. troops on the ground in Darfur, as a small part of an international peacekeeping force 17% 33% 21% 24% 6% 50% 44% 6%
Voters 16% 32% 23% 24% 5% 48% 46% 2%
Suppose the only way to end the violence in Darfur involved sending roughly ten thousand U.S. troops to the Darfur region of the Sudan on an aggressive peace keeping mission that may cost more than one hundred U.S. lives. Would you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose sending troops, in order to end the genocide in Darfur?
Respondents Str Fav Smw Fav Smw Opp Str Opp DK/Ref Total Fav Total Opp Diff. Total Fav/Opp
Total 12% 25% 21% 37% 5% 37% 58% –21%
Voters 11% 24% 22% 38% 5% 35% 60% –26%
Now, the International Criminal Court is an independent, permanent court in Europe. It puts people accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes on trial. The International Criminal Court is supported by many countries, but not the United States government.

Some people believe that the United States should help the International Criminal Court by sharing intelligence about the genocide that would build its case against the government of Sudan's leaders, who are accused of planning and implementing the genocide.

Others believe that the United States should not help the International Criminal Court because there is some chance that, in the future, its prosecutors might try to prosecute U.S. military personnel for their actions in Iraq or in other military missions around the world.

Response Total Voters
US should help the International Criminal Court 53% 52%
US should not help International Criminal Court 38% 38%
Both 0% 0%
Neither 1% 1%
Don't know/Refused 8% 8%
In some states, public schools are required to teach about the Holocaust, the genocide committed by Germany against Jews during World War Two. Some believe that genocide should be a required topic in public school social sciences or history classes. Given the many other topics that might also be taught in our schools, do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose mandatory genocide education in public schools?
Response Total Voters
Strongly support 48% 48%
Somewhat support 31% 32%
Somewhat oppose 8% 9%
Strongly oppose 8% 7%
Don't know/Refused 5% 4%
Total support 80% 80%
Total oppose 16% 16%
Difference: Total support and total oppose 64% 64%
How likely is it that you, yourself, would volunteer time or give money as part of an effort to stop genocide? Would you say very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, not at all likely?
Response Total Voters
Very likely 17% 19%
Somewhat likely 39% 40%
Not too likely 20% 19%
Not at all likely 21% 20%
Don't know/Refused 3% 3%

About the Poll

This random-digit-dial telephone survey was conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner. The survey reached 1,018 adults, 18 years or older. The data were weighted by gender, age, race, education, 2006 general election turnout and marital status to ensure an accurate reflection of the population. The survey was conducted December 14–17, 2006, and carries a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.

Download the complete results from the survey (PDF)

About the Genocide Intervention Network

Contact Ivan Boothe, Director of Communications, (202) 481-8220

The Genocide Intervention Network is working to build the first permanent anti-genocide constituency in the United States, mobilizing the political will to stop genocide when it occurs. Accessible online at www.GenocideIntervention.net, GI-Net empowers individuals with tools to stop genocide through education, fundraising for civilian protection and advocacy efforts.