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U.S. CONGRESS DECLARES DARFUR A GENOCIDE The U.S. Congress unanimously adopted a
resolution declaring the killing occurring in Darfur, Sudan a genocide. The
resolution passed on Friday July 26, 2004 by 422 votes and 12 abstentions, calls
on the administration to term the atrocities occurring in Darfur, Sudan as
'genocide' and "seriously consider multilateral or even unilateral intervention
to prevent genocide should the United Nations Security Council fail to act."
The resolution called on the administration
to:
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produce a strong draft UN resolution to
lead an international effort to prevent genocide in Darfur and protect the
displaced civilians and aid workers
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consider multilateral or even unilateral
intervention if the UN fails to move on the crisis
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Impose targeted sanctions on the militias
and Government of Sudan
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Establish a resettlement and rehabilitation
fund for the civilians of Darfur who have been driven away from their homes by
the militia.
As Congress adjourned for summer recess and
began to spend its energies on the Democratic and Republican Conventions, Darfur
remained on the forefront of their minds. This resolution marks Congress'
commitment stop the atrocities occuring in Darfur and prevent another genocide
ten years after the Rwandan Genocide. Their non-partisan support for
Darfur sets an example for the rest of the international community: while we
continue to disagree over semantics people are dying every day in Darfur.
+ New poll shows Americans support intervention in Darfur
+ New fact sheet on the crisis in Darfur
+ Background on Sudan and Darfur
HOUSE PASSES AN AMENDMENT TO SANCTION PRO-ICC COUNTRIES
The House passed an amendment on July 15, to the Foreign Operations
appropriations bill that would cut further assistance to International Criminal
Court (ICC) member countries. Countries that could potentially
be sanctioned include Jordan, South Africa, and Ireland. The
amendment could be considered by the Senate as early as September.
The
amendment, introduced by Rep. George Nethercutt (R-WA), would cut Economic
Support Fund assistance from ICC countries that have not signed a bilateral
immunity agreement with the U.S. More than 50 ICC countries have
refused to sign these agreements because they are too broad - exempting all U.S.
nationals and non-national contractors - and would thus be illegal under their
treaty commitments to the ICC.
As a result of their position, these countries could now
lose millions more in U.S. assistance, on top of the millions of military
aid that many of them have already lost. Countries that could be affected
include:
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Jordan ($250 million for economic growth and
governance reform)
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Ireland ($12 million for reconciliation programs
to further the northern Ireland peace process)
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Cyprus ($13.5 million to further the peace
process)
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Peru ($8 million to combat coca production and
promote democracy)
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South Africa ($1 million to enhance
counter-terrorism abilities and promote human rights)
Other affected countries could include Ecuador, Paraguay,
Namibia, Mali, Benin, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, and Tanzania.
+ Fact
sheet: Nethercutt Amendment - Cutting Off Our Nose to Spite Our Face
(PDF) (includes specific programs and countries that would be affected)
+ House
Roll Call Vote on the Nethercutt Amendment
+ Citizens
for Global Solutions' press release on the Nethercutt Amendment
Updated July 16, 2004 |
