Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Recent Violence, Developments in South Sudan and Region
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2013
Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661
Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Recent Violence, Developments in South Sudan and Region
Washington, D.C.— Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the recent violence in South Sudan and the Region:
“I am alarmed by the deteriorating humanitarian and political situation in South Sudan. According to recent reports, the violence in Jonglei state has displaced an estimated 100,000 civilians who now lack consistent access to food, safe drinking water, shelter, and health care. Furthermore, the ongoing fighting has limited the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide crucial aid to those displaced. In addition, reports alleging that government soldiers have been complicit in human rights violations against vulnerable civilians are especially alarming.
“These developments, including the deplorable actions of the Government of Sudan’s ongoing campaign of violence in Darfur and indiscriminate aerial bombardments in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile underscore the urgent need for the Obama administration to appoint a Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan without further delay.
“I call on the Government of South Sudan to begin an immediate investigation into the reported human rights violations and to move swiftly to name a diverse cabinet while upholding democratic practices and to restore humanitarian access for international aid organizations to reach vulnerable civilian populations.”
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Follow Barbara Lee on Facebook and Twitter at @RepBarbaraLee. To learn more, visit lee.house.gov.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee is a former Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and currently serves as CPC Whip and Chair of the Task Force on Global Peace and Security.