Revenues from American investments in foreign companies are
funding Sudan's genocide against innocent civilians in Darfur. This
must end.
Call or e-mail your member of the House of Representatives today and
urge their support of the Darfur divestment bill sponsored by Rep.
Barbara Lee, D-Calif. Insist that your representative take forceful
action to stop foreign companies from subsidizing Sudan’s genocidal
government.
Already, the U.S. government prohibits American companies from doing
business in Sudan. But many U.S. financial institutions still
invest in foreign companies — such as oil companies — that continue
to do business in Sudan.
These foreign companies are making profits that help
fund Sudan’s government. Just one shocking example: An estimated
70-80 percent of Sudan’s oil revenues are used to purchase military
equipment.
Take action now!
Call the Capitol switchboard
directly at 202-224-3121 where you can ask for the offices of
your representatives. You may also send an
immediate message by e-mail, or find contact information for your
representative, by visiting our
Legislative Action Center.
To find out whether your representative is supporting the Darfur
divestment bill,
click here.
Message/talking points
Please support Rep. Lee’s bill to divest from Sudan.
Foreign companies -- especially oil companies -- are funding
the Sudanese government and 70-80 percent of Sudan’s oil revenue is
in turn used to purchase military equipment used in the genocide of
the Darfurian people.
Divestment campaigns have been launched in 25 of our 50
states. But now, states, cities, towns, and universities are being
threatened with lawsuits by trade associations that want to continue
investing in Sudan.
The United States has taken a lead role in pressuring the
Sudanese government. It’s now time for other countries such as China
to stop investing in Sudan and instead use their economic
relationship with Sudan to persuade the Khartoum government to stop
the genocide.
Background
Lee has introduced the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of
2007. She has 45 cosponsors but she needs 218 votes for the bill to
be approved.
The bill, HR180, would:
Support and protect states, cities, and universities which
decide to divest from companies that do business in Sudan.
Require all companies that do business in Sudan to disclose
the nature of their work.
Prohibit U.S. government contracts with companies in Sudan
that are not doing humanitarian or peacekeeping-related work.
For more information about UUSC’s Drumbeat for Darfur campaign,
please contact Monika Parikh at 800-388-3920, ext.398, or by e-mail
at drumbeatfordarfur@uusc.org.
