Barbara Lee Supports USCIRF Sudan Policy Recommendations
For Immediate Release
February 11, 2009
Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661
Comments on ICC Issuance of Arrest Warrant for Bashir
Washington, DC –Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined the U.S. Commission on International Freedom in support of their policy recommendations for ending the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan. She released this statement:
“We stand here together at a critical time - united in our determination to bring the genocide in Darfur to an end. I’ve been to Darfur, Chad, Sudan, and the IDP camps three times now. I’ve seen and heard, and felt the devastation from survivors of the genocide.
“With Khartoum continuing to obstruct the deployment of peacekeeping troops, we need bold action now to change the dynamic on the ground and bring an end to the violence.
“Many of us have been involved in pushing for policy changes and immediate action to end the genocide for some time now. Our goals and objectives have been and remain very similar in nature to the policy recommendations outlined today by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom are very similar in nature. Most importantly, the ongoing theme guiding our work and throughout these recommendations today is Peace. And in the end that is what we are striving for – Peace.
“I applaud the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom for presenting these recommendations. Every effort to end the genocide in Darfur, brings us a step closer to our goal.”
Additionally, Rep. Barbara Lee released this statement in response to the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.
"Today's action by the ICC sends a clear message to the genocidal regime in Khartoum that crimes against humanity will not go unpunished. General Bashir should step down and turn himself in to the ICC so that we can finally begin the process of ending the violence and bringing peace to Darfur.
“Together with today’s release of the USCIRF recommendations on Sudan, it is timelier than ever for the Administration to appoint a Special Envoy to the region.
“The people of Darfur are counting on us for help. The longer we wait to act, the longer we are stymied in our efforts the worse the situation will get. My colleagues and I stand ready to work with the Obama Administration to address this issue and bring about swift resolution.”
The USCIRF recommendations on U.S. Sudan policy that focus on improving religious freedom conditions in Northern Sudan and promoting peace in the western region of Darfur can be found in the Sudan chapter of the Commission's May 2008 Annual Report, available on-line at www.uscirf.gov .
Lee has led efforts in Congress to end the genocide in Darfur, including authoring legislation signed into law to allow states to divest from companies doing business with the government of Sudan, and two separate resolutions calling for action on the part of the League of Arab States and the government of China to use their leverage with Sudan to end the genocide which both passed in the House. In December 2008, she joined Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and a number of her House colleagues in sending a letter to then President-elect Barack Obama on recommendations regarding the genocide the genocide in Darfur.
# # #