Last March, a bipartisan coalition of House members introduced the Sudan Peace, Security, and Accountability Act (H.R. 4169), which requires the administration to develop a comprehensive strategy to end atrocities and other human rights abuses throughout Sudan. The legislation extends a broad range of sanctions against individuals, governments, and organizations who impede accountability and peace processes in Sudan, including:
- Support for or participation in serious human rights violations;
- Failure to enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant proceedings against Sudanese officials responsible for mass atrocities in Darfur; and
- Interference with the delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout Sudan.
Notably, the bill expands the scope of sanctions that previously applied only to those responsible for atrocities in Darfur; these sanctions will now apply to those responsible for atrocities committed anywhere in Sudan, including the border states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
Help STAND pass H.R. 4169. Go to http://house.gov and enter your zip code to find the phone number for your Representative’s office. You will most likely either speak to a staffer or leave a voice message. You can use this or similar language:
Hello, my name is [your name] and I am a constituent in Representative [your representative’s last name]’s district. I am calling to urge the Congressman/woman to co-sponsor H.R. 4169, the Sudan Peace, Security, and Accountability Act. The Sudanese government continues to commit atrocities against civilians in Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile, including the denial of humanitarian aid. H.R. 4169 will hold the perpetrators of atrocities accountable and require the administration to develop a comprehensive strategy to facilitate peace, civilian protection, and humanitarian access in Sudan. Again, I urge the Congressman/woman to co-sponsor H.R. 4169. Thank you.
If you’re interested in holding an in-district lobby meeting at your local Congressional office, contact your Regional Organizer for information and training!