H. R. 3127
Darfur Peace and Accountability Act

On June 30, 2005, Reps. Hyde (R-IL), Payne (D-NJ), Smith (R-NJ), Lantos (D-CA), Royce (R-CA), Tancredo (R-CO), Wolf (R-VA), Jackson-Lee (D-TX), and Capuano (D-MA) introduced the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (HR 3127).  The bill is modeled similarly to the previous Darfur Genocide Accountability Act (HR 1424), but in order to get stronger bi-partisan support for the legislation, it does not include authorization for the use of force, oil sanctions, or a no fly zone.  

The original sponsors of HR 1424 worked with leadership in the House to craft a bill that would garner strong bipartisan support and move forward while still addressing the key issues of civilian protection, accountability, an end to the violence in Darfur, and a comprehensive peace in Sudan. 

Latest Status: Sent to Full Committee and amended by voice vote on March 8, 2006. 

Main Provisions of the Bill

§         To expand the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and give the force a stronger mandate in order to protect civilians, humanitarian operations and deter violence in the region.

§         To assist the efforts of the investigation by the International Criminal
Court in Darfur

§         To appoint a special Presidential Envoy for Sudan 

§         To impose asset and travel sanctions against individuals deemed by the President to be perpetrators of the atrocities in Darfur.

§         To provide assistance to reinforce the AU mission (AMIS), “including but not limited to” logistics, transport, communications, training, command and control, technical, and aerial surveillance

§         To deny entry at U.S. ports to cargo ships or oil tankers engaged in business in the oil sector of Sudan or involved in the shipment of goods for use by Sudan Armed Forces.

§         To report to appropriate congressional committees within 30 days after enactment on:
- sanctions imposed by the Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act (2004) and
- on the status of the AMIS mission and U.S. assistance to it

§         To use the U.S. voice, vote, and influence to advocate NATO reinforcement of AMIS, including deterring air strikes against civilians, logistical, transport, communications, training, technical, command and control, aerial surveillance, and intelligence support.

Updated March 08, 2006