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Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Support Action on Darfur by U.S. House of Representatives
Dear Friends,
Two weeks ago, we requested that you take action towards stopping the
genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Thousands of you wrote to your Senators urging
them to support the Darfur Accountability Act, which calls on the U.S.
Administration to work within the UN Security Council to stop the violence.
Thank you all for your efforts.
Last week, a similar bill was introduced in the House of Representatives,
also calling for an expansion of the size and strength of the African
Union (AU) force in Darfur and the imposition of sanctions on the government
of Sudan. We are all encouraged to see full Congressional action on
this crisis, and are asking you today to support the current
effort by the U.S. House of Representatives and encourage them to make
stronger demands on the Administration , emphasizing the need
for international action as the AU cannot and should not have to solely
bear the burden of stopping the genocide.
* Take
Action Now: Please urge your Representative to co-sponsor the Darfur
Genocide Accountability Act.
* Click
here to find out if your Representative is already co-sponsoring
HR.1424 (and thank them if they are).
The House bill (H.R.1424) rightfully identifies the atrocities
unfolding in Darfur as “genocide” and recommends a change
in the mandate of the African Union force currently in the region to
focus on the protection of civilians. Furthermore, the bill calls for
a robust multinational force to support the African Union Mission in
Sudan.
H.R.1424 supports the efforts to end genocide in Darfur by raising the
profile of the issue and encouraging greater action by the Administration.
However, the most appropriate way to support the African Union
(AU), which already has troops in Darfur, is for the U.S. to seek a
Chapter 7 Mandate under the United Nations Charter for the AU force
in Darfur and then for the UN to expand this force into a UN peacekeeping
operation. Chapter 7 provides an intervention force with the ability
to protect civilians and enforce the cease-fire. Africa Action
believes that a Chapter 7 mandate is necessary to stop the genocide.
As the Darfur Genocide Accountability Act in the House falls short of
this goal, we are asking you to write both in support of H.R.1424 and
to suggest that the House of Representatives amend the Act to include
the appropriate language.
For more information on why a UN Chapter 7 intervention is necessary
to stop genocide in Darfur, check out Africa
Action’s Talking Points on Ending Genocide in Darfur.
Again, we would like to thank all who have so far taken action towards
supporting the Senate resolution (and should still continue to do so
as it is still under consideration). We now urge you to write to your
Representatives in the House to engage the full Congress towards calling
on the President to act now to stop genocide.
* Take
Action Now: Please urge your Representative to co-sponsor the Darfur
Genocide Accountability Act.
* Click
here to find out if your Representative is already co-sponsoring
HR.1424 (and thank them if they are).
In Solidarity,
Africa Action
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