Earlier today, President Barack Obama accepted his Nobel Peace Prize at Oslo City Hall. Recognizing the combined importance of nonviolence and military action to accomplishing and maintaining peace, President Obama emphasized the necessity of acting in accordance with international law. Condemning those who act in grave violation of international humanitarian standards, he said, “When there is genocide in Darfur, systematic rape in Congo or repression in Burma—there must be consequences.”
President Obama’s recognition of these conflicts in an international forum is important, as is his affirmation of consequences in response to genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. However, rhetoric will do little to stop the scourge of extrajudicial killing, political repression, mass rape, and other human rights violations taking place in Sudan, the Congo, and Burma. President Obama has listened. Now is the time to move his administration into action.
What Can I Do?
SUDAN
Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and John McCain (R-AZ) have drafted a letter urging Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, to speak publicly about the Sudanese government’s violations of the United Nations arms embargo and ensure that the Security Council monitors troops and arms movements and additional sanctions.
The Save Darfur Coalition is circulating letters to U.S. Senators, urging them to sign on to the Feingold-McCain letter.
Sign the letter to your Senator here.
The United Nations arms embargo is a crucial tool in resolving the conflict in Sudan.
BURMA
The U.S. Campaign for Burma has drafted a petition urging members of Congress to support H.Res. 898, which calls for the Burmese regime to be held accountable for their human rights abuses. We need a dozen more Congressional Representatives to co-sponsor this resolution before Congress breaks for recess. We are asking you to email your Representative today.
Email your Representative here.
A United Nations commission of inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity is a crucial step in ending impunity in Burma’s ethnic minority regions.