DC CHAPTERS TAKE A STAND FOR CIVILIANS IN LIBYA

Eyewitness accounts from Libya report violent government crackdown on civilians. While limited reporting makes it difficult to get a clear picture of the events on the ground, one thing is certain: the Libyan government is intentionally targeting unarmed civilians, and shows no fear in continuing. Additionally, violence in response to protests in the Libyan capital Tripoli has caused thousands to flee.

The U.S. government response to the present crisis has been little more than weak-kneed. In an interview yesterday, State Department spokesperson described the Qaddafi regime’s targeted killings of civilian protesters as a matter of internal concern:

In a recent press release, the Genocide Intervention Network/Save Darfur Coalition, STAND’s parent organization, called for concerted international action to mitigate the crisis in Libya: 

 Written by Queens College STAND member, Tiffany. 

 25 Years of Genocide Prevention in the United States

Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Bisengimana, a critical member of the leadership of the Forces democratique de Liberation du Rwanda (FDLR), has defected from the rebel organization. According to UN reports, Lt. Col. Bisengimana submitted himself to the UN’s Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, Rehabilitation and Repatriation (DDRRR) program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

Last Friday, the House Appropriations Committee introduced its budget extensions for fiscal year 2011. The appropriations bill cuts the U.S. foreign affairs budget by 21 percent, or $11.6 billion, from the previous year. In its funding cut, the House Approprations Committee has reduced the effect of a number of important U.S. foreign-operations initiatives: the bill reduces U.S.

February 16th, 2011 by Joey Cheek