LEGISLATIVE ACTION

US legislation can go a long way towards influencing international action. From non-binding Congressional resolutions that pressure other governments to do the right thing, to binding bills that protect states' rights to divest from Sudan, the following pieces of legislation provide much-needed support to the people of Darfur.

Current Federal Legislation:

House Resolution 241: Commending the International Criminal Court for issuing a warrant for the arrest of Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and expressing the hope that this will be a significant step in the long road towards achieving peace and stability in the Darfur region

Purpose: This resolution:

• Commends the International Criminal Court for issuing an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir;
• Condemns the expulsion of international aid agencies, which further threatens the lives of over 1.1 million people who depend on these organizations for food, water, health care, and safety;
• Calls upon the international community to persist in its efforts to bring President al-Bashir to justice and to pressure the Government of Sudan to cease its campaign of violence;

Status: Introduced by Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL). Open for co-sponsors.

Action: Call or write your representative urging him or her to co-sponsor H. Res. 241.

Recently Passed Legislation:

Senate Resolution 470: Comprehensive Regional Strategy for
Chad, CAR and Darfur

Introduced: Senator Russell Feingold

Status: Passed on April 14th, 2008

"Calling on the relevant governments, multilateral bodies, and non-state actors in Chad, the Central African Republic, and Sudan to devote ample political commitment and material resources towards the achievement and implementation of a negotiated resolution to the national and regional conflicts in Chad, the Central African Republic, and Darfur, Sudan."

House Resolution 1011:

Introduced: Representative Frank Wolf

Status: Passed/agreed to in House on May 5, 2008

"Calling on the United States Government and the international community to promptly develop, fund, and implement a comprehensive regional strategy to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian operations, contain and reduce violence, and contribute to conditions for sustainable peace and good governance in Chad, as well as in the wider region that includes the northern region of the Central African Republic and the Darfur region of Sudan".

Senate Bill 831 : Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act (SADA)

Introduced: March 8, 2007

Sponsored by: Senator Richard Durbin (IL)

Status: Passed unanimously December 2008

This bill authorizes states to pursue divestment from foreign companies that help to fund the genocide in Sudan, and clarifies that state efforts at divestment are compatible with federal sanctions law. The bill is critical to ensure that the great strides in divestment made by over a dozen states are protected from legal challenges by those who would put profit ahead of human rights

Click here for more information on SADA