A Message From Congressman Payne on Darfur

Genocide in Darfur

Nearly two years ago, on June 24th, 2004, I stood with the Congressional Black Caucus, Leader Pelosi and Tom Tancredo, and introduced H CON RES 467, declaring that genocide was occurring in Darfur, Sudan and that the Government of Sudan was responsible. This is the government which harbored Osama bin Laden. Tragically, and to our own shame, the genocide continues today – almost two years later -- unabated.

I have twice walked through the camps of the Darfur people who were violently forced by government troops and Janjaweed mercenaries to run for their lives. Try to imagine what it’s like to run away from everything you know in an instant, at gunpoint, to look back on your home and your village and see them engulfed in flames. Imagine the cries of scores of children, of men and women – young and old – being brutally killed, terrorized, raped. What continues to go on in Darfur today is the ultimate form of terrorism.

An estimated 400,000 have already died from murder, starvation, diarrhea, and other preventable causes. Nearly 3 million were forced from their homes into other parts of the region or into Chad. Now the security nightmare has spilled over into Chad as well.

Truthfully, it is difficult to imagine. We are half a world away, safe. That is why we bear such a great responsibility.

What Congress Can Do

We must call on President Bush to immediately push the National Congress Party to disarm the Janjaweed, to give the command to government troops to stop killing innocents, to send those responsible for the atrocities in Darfur to the appropriate international authorities as called for in Security Council resolution 1593, and to comply with Security Council resolutions 1564, 1591, and 1556 .

Whether they are government officials such as security and intelligence Chief Salah Gosh, Vice President Taha, soldiers, or Janjaweed, every individual involved in giving or carrying out orders to kill Darfuris must be brought to justice. Shamefully, the CIA saw fit to invite Salah Gosh who is one of the architects, to the U.S. one year ago. We must ban those involved in the genocide from traveling here to the U.S. We must also urge for the provision of additional assistance to the 7,000 African Union troops who are doing the best they can in Darfur. The House and Senate passed $50 million towards this emergency assistance recently.

We must also ensure that all sanctions against the government of Sudan remain in effect until the genocide is ended, criminals are handed over, the Lord’s Resistance Army leaders are handed over, and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between North and South Sudan is fully implemented without delay so that our work in ensuring peace does not go to waste.

The House recently passed the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act – HR 3127. HR 3127 would put into effect the above actions to pressure the government of Sudan in Khartoum to end the genocide. We must do much more but this bill is a good step in the right direction. We must continue until the genocide has ended.

What You Can Do

Constituents in New Jersey and around the country can do a great deal to end the genocide. You can join the divestment campaign encouraging states and universities around the country to divest from companies doing business in Sudan. NJ has already passed legislation, introduced by Assemblyman William Payne. Illinois also has a divestment law on the books and several other states are looking to follow. Constituents can also send letters to President Bush, host events in their home, place of worship, volunteer, or donate to organizations providing food and medical assistance to victims of Darfur.

For information on how to join the divestment or letter writing campaigns, to donate, or get involved in another way please visit the websites listed below.

Together we can end the genocide!

www.darfurrehab.org
www.helpdarfurnow.org
www.savedarfur.org
www.genocideintervention.net