WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations praised President Bush for placing new sanctions against criminals who aided in the genocide in Sudan’s Darfur region. 

“I commend President Bush for taking decisive action against these specific criminals who have committed unspeakable atrocities and will continue to commit horrible acts if left unchecked,” said Smith, who traveled to Sudanese Refugee camps in August.  “The conflict in Darfur demands our attention and we must work to put an end to the genocide and human rights atrocities in the region.”

The President’s Executive Order puts in motion sanctions announced earlier this week by the UN Security Council against: Gaffar Mahammed Elhassan, former commander of the Sudanese air force's western region; Sheikh Musa Hilal, a Janjaweed chief of the Jalul tribe in North Darfur; and two rebel commanders – Adam Yacub Shant of the Sudan Liberation Army and Gabril Abdul Kareem Badri of the National Movement for Reform and Development.  The executive order freezes the assets of those found to undermine the stability in the region and prohibited US companies from dealing with them.   

The genocide in Darfur that began in 2003 has resulted in the deaths of as many as 400,000 people and the displacement of more than two million from their homes.  Entire villages have been looted and destroyed, and countless men, women, and children have been murdered, abducted, abused, or raped.        Despite a UN arms embargo, weapons continue to flow into the region unabated and attacks against civilians, humanitarian convoys, and African Union peacekeepers continue to increase.  The United States has provided more than $617 million in assistance to help ease the suffering of those most affected by the conflict, and more than $150 million to support the African Union mission in Darfur.

There are fears that a recent influx of attacks in Southern Darfur are reflective of yet another military offensive by the Sudanese government and could cause continued deaths to tens of thousands of additional people.