H. CON. RES. 403 - CONDEMNING THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN: For Its Attacks Against Civilians In The Darfur Region Of Western Sudan.

Introduced into the House on April 1, 2004 by Wolf, Frank R. (R-VA). Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Cosponsors

This resolution condemns the government of the Republic of Sudan for its attacks on innocent civilians in the Darfur region.

Since 2003, the government of the Republic of Sudan forces and also rebel militia in the Darfur region has been attacking innocents in this area, including undefended villages.

The Sudanese government forces and the other militia forces have engaged in rape as a weapon of war, abduction of children, the destruction of food and water sources, and the deliberate and systematic denial of humanitarian aid for the people in this region.

The following is an outline of the actions cited in the bill
 . December 18, 2003: UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland declared Darfur as the 'world's worst humanitarian catastrophe.'

 . February 17, 2004: Amnesty International reported that it 'continues to receive details of horrifying attacks against civilians in villages by government warplanes, soldiers, and pro-government militia.'

 . February 18, 2004: United Nations Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan Tom Eric Vraalsen, declared that 'aid workers are unable to reach the vast majority of the displaced.'

 . April 8, 2004: Despite a temporary cease-fire agreement, attacks of civilians continue to occur.

 . April 20, 2004: United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights delayed the release of a report citing gross human rights abuses, crimes against humanity, and war crimes committed in Darfur in a bid to gain access to humanitarian air organizations.

 . The 60th Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights sponsored a resolution condemning the government of Sudan for grave violations of human rights and humanitarian law occurring in the Darfur region.
Resolved by the House of Representatives with the Senate concurring-

 - Condemns the Sudanese government and militia groups supported by the government for attacks against innocent civilians, in violation of Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.

 - Urges the Government of Sudan to immediately disarm and disband government supported militia groups.

 - Urges all parties to the cease fire on April 8, 2004 to honor those commitments.

 - Calls of the Sudanese Government to grant full, unconditional, and immediate access to Darfur to humanitarian aid organizations, the human rights investigation, and humanitarian teams of the United Nations, including protection officers, and an international monitoring team in compliance with the temporary cease-fire agreement that is based in Darfur and has the support of the United States and the European Union.

 - Encourages the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to work with donors to immediately deliver humanitarian assistance to Darfur, including the delivery of food by air if necessary.

 - Calls on the Secretary of State to develop a plan for further bilateral and multilateral if the Republic of Sudan fails to undertake the actions outlines in this bill.

 - Deplores some member states of the United Nations and the failure of the United Nations Human Rights Commission to take strong action with respect to the crisis in Darfur.

 - Urges the President to:
* Seek an official investigation by the United Nations to determine if crimes against humanity have been committed.
* Work with other nations to ensure that those responsible for these crimes be held accountable

 - Strongly urges the President to impose targeted sanctions against officials and other individuals who are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region.

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