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U.N., U.S. must act to end genocide in Darfur |
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This week the United Nations
released its International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur,
concluding that the government of
Sudan and the Janjaweed are
responsible for grave violations of international human rights and
humanitarian law.
Whether or not the atrocities occurring in Darfur are labeled as human rights violations, violations of humanitarian law or genocide, the fact still remains that mass atrocities are taking place and concrete measures by the Security Council are immediately needed. In light of the international commission's report on Darfur, the U.S. must use its power as a permanent member of the Security Council to end the genocide taking place in that region of Sudan. Take Action Now Write to President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and urge them to take concrete and effective measures to secure a U.N. resolution to help end the violence in Darfur. President
George W. Bush Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice Message -- The United States has recognized that the atrocities occurring in Darfur qualify as genocide. -- The United States should continue to provide monetary and logistical support for African Union forces to carry out their mandate. -- As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the United States must use its influence to impose measures to end the violence in Darfur. -- The United Nations Security Council should impose a no fly zone over Darfur to protect entire villages from being bombed and destroyed. -- The U.N. should take punitive measure against Sudanese government officials to include freezing assets and placing a ban on all travel. -- The U.N. should impose an arms embargo on the government of Sudan in order to stop the transport of weapons to all warring factions including government forces, the Janjaweed, and rebels. --The mandate of African Union forces must be extended to include the protection of civilians. -- The United States should allow the U.N. to refer the Darfur case to the International Criminal Court by not using its “veto” power. Background In its report, the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur found credible evidence of “indiscriminate attacks, including killing of civilians, torture, enforced disappearances, destruction of villages, rape and other forms of sexual violence, pillaging and forced displacement, through Darfur.” The commission recommended that the U.N. Security Council refer the situation to the International Criminal Court. However, the United States does not recognize the International Criminal Court on grounds that it will be used to prosecute American soldiers abroad. Although action by the court is important, it will not necessarily end the violence. The commission also stopped short of calling the Darfur atrocities “genocide” as the United States and a number of non-governmental organizations previously concluded after their own independent investigations. For more
information and background, visit
Peace agreement reached in |
