Congressional Proposal To Officially Pressure China On Genocide In Darfur
Bipartisan, bicameral resolution calls on China to use ties to Sudanese regime, offers reminder of Beijing Olympics
CONTACTS:
Afshin Mohamadi (Menendez) 202-224-4744
Julie Little Nickson (Lee) 202-225-2661
Becky Ogilvie (Brownback) 202-228-3107
WASHINGTON – A new movement to pressure China to help stop the genocide in Darfur is being unveiled in Congress today, with support in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle. U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Sam Brownback (R-KS), along with U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ), have introduced a resolution that would officially call on China to use its “unique influence and economic leverage” with the Sudan regime to stop the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
“No country on Earth has the same type of military and economic influence with the Sudanese regime as China,” said Sen. Menendez. “Strong words and deeds could go a long way in Khartoum, but China has been silent and passive. The genocide has to stop, and China has to play its part. The eyes of the world will be on Beijing next year for the Olympics. It would be a shame for China if its moment on the world stage is muddied by its hands-off approach to the genocide in Darfur.”
“China’s support for the status quo in Sudan and their apparent reluctance to join the international community in condemning the atrocities being committed in Darfur have become critical factors in prolonging the ongoing genocide,” said Lee. “This resolution sends a clear message that China needs to join the international community in working to end this genocide.”
"Sudan is committing genocide in Darfur that has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced,” said Sen. Brownback. “Instead of condemning the atrocities committed by the Khartoum government, China has chosen to strengthen its military and economic ties with Sudan. Innocent lives hang in the balance and it is crucial that China leverage the full weight of its relationship with Sudan to end the suffering in Darfur.”
“Instead of joining the international community’s call to end the genocide, China has served as enabler-in-chief to the atrocities that continue to take place in Darfur. Not only have they provided Bashir with funds and weapons, but they have lavished him with gifts and a false sense of legitimacy. The money and weapons that Sudan has received from China has made the Chinese Government complicit in these crimes against humanity. Through this resolution, we are once again calling on China to finally step up to the plate and say no to this ongoing genocide,” said Rep. Smith.
The resolution points out that the government of China “has long-standing economic and military ties with Sudan and continues to strengthen these ties in spite of the on-going genocide in Darfur.” For example, China purchases at least 70 percent of Sudan’s oil and has reportedly cancelled approximately $100 million in debt owed by the Sudanese government. China also recently provided funds for a presidential palace in Sudan at a reported cost of approximately $20 million. In addition, the human rights organization Amnesty International recently accused China and Russia of selling weapons to Sudan that are used in violence in Darfur.
The measure calls on China to urge Sudan to allow the entry of the U.N. sanctioned peacekeeping force and to comply with U.N. resolutions demanding that the Government of Sudan disarm militias operating in Darfur. It also calls on China to join the international community in threatening sanctions on the Sudanese government if it continues to carry out or support attacks on innocent civilians or to frustrate diplomatic efforts to end the violence.
The resolution comes as Chinese preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing are heavily underway. The resolution recognizes that the spirit of the Olympics is “incompatible with any actions supporting acts of genocide.”
"By hosting the Olympics, China puts itself in the international spotlight and invites questions about their commitment to human rights, particularly with their ongoing support for the government of Sudan, despite its campaign of genocide in Darfur,” said Lee. “To suggest that somehow it is unfair to ask those questions is ridiculous. If China doesn't like the scrutiny, they can stop tacitly supporting genocide."
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