Darfur Scorecard -

Implementing a Comprehensive Regional Strategy

Allyson Neville — Tue, 4 Mar 2008 11:05:00 -0500

Ask your representative to co-sponsor House Resolution 1011.

With the humanitarian crisis stemming from Darfur continuing to destabilize not only Sudan, but the surrounding region, including Chad and the Central African Republic, it has become increasingly urgent that the international community develop, fund, and implement a "comprehensive regional strategy."

The United States and President Bush have the ability and responsibility to protect by using their influential position on the United Nations Security Council and financial ability to provide humanitarian assistance to the region.

House Resolution 1011 urges President Bush to stick to his promises by:

Urging the UN Security Council to implement sanctions against the government of Sudan for its detrimental actions and the continued destabilization of the region, and continue US humanitarian assistance to the refugees and internally displaced people in Chad and the Central African Republic.

This week, ask your representative to call on President Bush to stick to his promises and implement a comprehensive regional strategy by co-sponsoring House Resolution 1011.

UN Peacekeepers in Darfur Need Your Help: Call 1-800-GENOCIDE

Allyson Neville — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500

UPDATE: On Friday, Feb. 8, Congressman Brian Higgins and Senator Hillary Clinton submitted a letter to President Bush, calling on the administration to strengthen it's diplomatic efforts in Darfur. Thanks to phone calls by citizens like you, 60 Representatives and 16 Senators signed on to this letter!

Thanks to your phone calls over the past week, 18 representatives (listed below) have signed on to Rep. Brian Higgins' letter asking President Bush to strengthen US diplomacy for Darfur.

We are excited to inform you that Sen. Hillary Clinton is now circulating the letter in the Senate. The signing deadline for both letters has been extended to Thursday, Feb. 7.

Call 1-800-GENOCIDE.

Tell your Representative to sign Congressman Higgins' letter and your Senators to sign Sen. Clinton's letter.

The people of Darfur are depending on the United Nations/African Union Peacekeeping Force (UNAMID) for their protection. But UNAMID will not be successful without strong international support, and in particular, clear and consistent leadership from the United States.

By signing this letter, your members of Congress can demonstrate that they are leaders on the issue of bringing peace to Darfur.

Urge your members of Congress to be leaders for Darfur. Call 1-800-GENOCIDE today.

Talking Points

We need to strengthen the U.S. diplomatic effort to end the Darfur conflict. President Bush should:

Encourage allies to provide needed logistics to UNAMID Peacekeeping Force.
Deploy a full-time diplomatic team in the region.

Rep. Higgins' letter and Sen. Clinton's letter to President Bush both call on the Administration to take these steps in order to stop the ongoing genocide in Darfur.

Please push your Senators and Representative to sign their respective letters. Call 1-800-GENOCIDE today.

Make sure your members of Congress sign these letter before February 7.

Has Your Representative Signed On?

As of Monday, Jan. 28, the following Representatives had signed the letter to President Bush:

Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-9)
Rep. Elijah Cummings (MD-7)
Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-4)
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-25)
Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-5)
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (AZ-7)
Rep. Brian Higgins (NY-27)
Rep. Maize K. Hirono (HI-2)
Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15)
Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-9)
Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-5)
Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-4)
Rep. Jim Moran (VA-8)
Rep. John Olver (MA-1)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9)
Rep. José Serrano (NY-16)
Rep. Betty Sutton (OH-13)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-8)

Has the UN deployed a robust force to Darfur with sufficient mandate to protect civilians?

root — Wed, 7 Feb 2007 13:06:13 -0500

DPAA Checklist Status

Unchecked

DPAA Checklist Explanation

UN Security Council Resolution 1706, passed on July 25, 2006, was not implemented. Another Security Council Resolution, 1769, was passed on July 31, 2007 authorizing a hybrid UN/AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). The force, scheduled to deploy in January 2008, is currently facing obstruction from the Sudanese government.

Has the world provided sufficient resources for African Union peackeepers to sustain themselves and become UN-ready?

root — Wed, 7 Feb 2007 13:05:25 -0500

DPAA Checklist Status

Unchecked

DPAA Checklist Explanation

The African Union peacekeepers cannot ensure operations beyond a few months, and is not ready for a UN transition.

Has the Darfur Peace Agreement been implemented and expanded to include non-signatories?

root — Wed, 7 Feb 2007 13:04:11 -0500

DPAA Checklist Status

Unchecked

DPAA Checklist Explanation

No new signatories have been included, and key provisions have not been implemented. A new round of negotiations is underway to expand the agreement.

Has the US Secretary of State sent relevant reports on Darfur to Congress?

root — Wed, 7 Feb 2007 13:03:38 -0500

DPAA Checklist Status

Unchecked

DPAA Checklist Explanation

Reports are required on the current status of the African Union peacekeepers in Sudan and sanctions against Sudan.

Have any oil tankers engaged in business in Sudan been denied entry to US ports?

root — Wed, 7 Feb 2007 13:02:58 -0500

DPAA Checklist Status

Unchecked

DPAA Checklist Explanation

Over 70 percent of oil revenue in Sudan is used for military expenditures.

Has the president blocked assets of individuals responsible for crimes in Darfur?

root — Wed, 7 Feb 2007 13:02:19 -0500

DPAA Checklist Status

Checked

DPAA Checklist Explanation

Assets of four individuals blocked on April 26, 2006. Asset freezes for three additional individuals were announced on May 29, 2007. The United Nations panel of experts has named additional individuals suspected of perpetrating genocide who have not yet been targeted for asset freezes.

Do US personnel and NGOs have access to Darfur?

root — Wed, 7 Feb 2007 13:01:32 -0500

DPAA Checklist Status

Unchecked

DPAA Checklist Explanation

The government of Sudan has consistently obstructed humanitarian operations. According to the UN Mission in Sudan, attacks against aid workers have increased dramatically over the past year.

Has the president appointed a Special Envoy for Sudan?

root — Wed, 7 Feb 2007 13:00:42 -0500

DPAA Checklist Status

Checked

DPAA Checklist Explanation

Andrew Natsios appointed on Sept. 19, 2006.