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On the Issues: Darfur

Since the violence began in the Darfur region of Sudan in early 2003, I have been deeply concerned about the mass killings, rape, displacement and starvation of the people in Darfur, which represents one of the most pressing humanitarian crises in the world today.

In July 2004, the United States Congress formally declared the continuing atrocities in Darfur perpetrated by the Janjaweed militias and sponsored by the Sudanese Government as “genocide”, through H. Con. Res. 467, which I co-sponsored. President Bush and his administration reached the same conclusion in September 2004.

The death toll as a result of this genocide currently stands in excess of 400,000 people. In addition, 2.5 million people have been displaced, and 3.5 million struggle daily to survive the violence and starvation that accompanies this atrocity.
The United States Congress, confronted by the gravity of this humanitarian crisis, has taken action to bring an end to the genocide and peace to the region. I was a strong supporter and cosponsor of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (H.R. 3127), which was signed into law in October 2006.

This law imposes sanctions against those individuals in the Sudanese government responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, supports measures for the protection of civilians and humanitarian operations, and supports peace efforts in Darfur. Also in 2006, I along with my colleagues in the Sudan Caucus sent a letter to President Bush calling for a Special Envoy to be appointed to liaise with the international community on action to be taken in Darfur. President Bush’s appointment of Special Envoy Mr Andrew Natsios was a necessary and timely step. I strongly support Mr Natsios in his efforts as he partners with U.N. Special Envoy, Mr Jan Eliasson, African Union Special Envoy Salim Ahmed Salim and E.U. Special Envoy Pekka Haavisto to bring peace to Darfur. Furthermore in 2006, the United States provided $776.3 million in humanitarian assistance to the Sudan and Eastern Chad and I am committed to ensuring that the 14,000 aid workers in Darfur have sufficient funding to continue to their vital work with the millions affected by the conflict.

The unconscionable suffering of the people in Darfur, requires that the international community – including the United States – take further action. A United Nations force must be established as quickly as possible in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1706, authorizing the deployment of a robust peacekeeping force to Darfur, to join with the current African Union forces. The three-phased hybrid operation should work to achieve the full disarmament of the Janjaweed forces, and the cessation of any and all violent acts, excepting those necessary for the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement. The international community should also continue to work towards establishing a tribunal to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the atrocities committed in the Darfur region and hold them accountable for their crimes. Furthermore, for the safety of the people of Darfur, it is necessary that the No-Fly Zone, established by U.N Resolution 1591, banning all Sudanese military flights over Darfur, must be strictly enforced, ending the arbitrary bombing of villages by the Sudanese Government.

The United States and international community have a moral obligation to ensure the promise of "never again," and I will work my colleagues in the 110th Congress to address the continued violence and destruction occurring in Sudan and pledge to support critical measures to protect the people of Darfur from further human rights violations.