Bush administration misses key Sudan sanction deadline, sends wrong message to Khartoum

Darfur groups urge prohibition of federal contracts with foreign companies helping to fuel Darfure genocide

Groups — including the Genocide Intervention Network, the Save Darfur Coalition, American Jewish World Service and STAND — stressed that federal contract prohibition, and the accompanying state contract prohibition authorized by SADA, will put much needed pressure on the Sudanese government. Khartoum is dependent on foreign investment to fund continued atrocities in Darfur and resist international pressure over its policies there. While the United States has taken action to prevent American companies from investing in genocide, European and Asian companies continue to economically support the Khartoum regime.

"Contract prohibition sends a clear message to these foreign companies that the privilege of receiving U.S. contracts will not be extended to those who fund genocide," said Mark Hanis, executive director of the Genocide Intervention Network. "Focused pressure must be applied to Khartoum to change its behavior with respect to Darfur."

One of the "highest offending" companies that will be affected by contract prohibition is Alstom of France, which is currently engaged in the Merowe Dam, a major Sudanese government-sponsored power project that has already displaced tens of thousands of Sudanese and will provide Khartoum with the resources to continue the genocide in Darfur. Alstom stands to lose more than $100 million in contracts with the U.S. government when the provision is implemented. Hundreds of millions more in Alstom contracts — including a $323 million contract with the Washington Metro Area Transport Authority to build metro cars — will be in jeopardy if states and municipalities follow the federal government's lead in prohibiting these contracts as authorized by the law.

SADA is narrowly targeted to affect only those companies that provide Khartoum with the most funding and support. Of the hundreds of foreign companies operating in Sudan, only a small subset — the approximately two dozen companies that maintain the regime's financial lifeline — would be targets of this sanction. The legislation comes off the books when the President certifies that the Sudanese government has met its international obligations to end genocide in Darfur.

In 2007, thousands of Americans lobbied their members of Congress for the passage of SADA, which was spearheaded by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL). The bipartisan legislation, which also authorized states and other entities to adopt targeted Sudan divestment legislation, passed unanimously in both chambers. To date, twenty-four states have taken action to restrict their Sudan investments. Several states have also begun to consider contract prohibition.

After more than five years of conflict and despite the as-yet unfulfilled promise of peacekeepers authorized by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1769, Darfur continues to be plagued by violence and insecurity. Since the beginning of this year, incidents of violence in camps and throughout Darfur have increased dramatically — including at least four attacks on UNAMID and the displacement of 100,000 Darfuri civilians. Additionally, just as aid organizations are scaling back operations due to increasing violence, child malnutrition rates are again passing the 15 percent emergency threshold.

The Genocide Intervention Network is working to build the first permanent anti-genocide constituency in the United States, mobilizing the political will to stop genocide when it occurs. Accessible online at www.GenocideIntervention.net, GI-Net empowers individuals with tools to stop genocide through education, fundraising for civilian protection and advocacy efforts.

Sam Bell (GI-Net), 202-481-8130

Allyn Brooks-LaSure (Save Darfur), 202-478-6174

Darfur Groups Urge World Leaders Not to Attend Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Statement: 'Beijing should not be allowed to bask in the warm glow of peace and brotherhood associated with the opening games if China is still underwriting atrocities in darfur and still has not done what it should to bring peace and security to Sudan'

The groups - while emphasizing that they are not calling for any nation, athlete, or corporate sponsor to boycott the sporting events of the Olympics - questioned how President Bush and other heads of state could enjoy the pageantry of the opening ceremonies while Darfuris continue to suffer.

"How can world leaders watch the lighting of the Olympic torch - under the ‘one world, one dream' banner - without taking bolder action to extinguish the flames of violence still consuming the defenseless men, women and children of Darfur?" the groups asked in their joint statement. "We call on world leaders not to attend the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. As Darfur advocates, we will continue to make this call until the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force is effectively protecting civilians in Sudan."

The groups earlier this year released a joint position paper outlining the necessary and essential steps China needs to take to end the growing public outcry over China's hosting of the Olympics Games while underwriting a genocide in Darfur.

As Sudan's chief diplomatic sponsor, major weapons provider, and largest foreign investor and trade partner, China is in a unique position to help bring peace and security to the people of Darfur. Specifically, China should use its influence on the Sudanese government so that it permits the swift, full and effective deployment of the UNAMID peacekeeping force; implements the North-South peace deal and participate constructively in the Darfur peace process; and allows the unfettered delivery of humanitarian aid in Darfur and Eastern Chad.

"Beijing should not be allowed to bask in the warm glow of peace and brotherhood associated with the opening games if China is still underwriting atrocities in Darfur and still has not done what it should to bring peace and security to Sudan," the statement said.

Full Joint Statement on Olympic Opening Ceremonies

We call on world leaders not to attend the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. As Darfur advocates, we will continue to make this call until the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force is effectively protecting civilians in Sudan.

The peacekeeping force, known as UNAMID, was authorized by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769 on July 31, 2007. China was president of the Council at that time and pushed for the resolution's passage. Thus, after years of thwarting UN action against Sudan, China seemed to begin to play a modestly constructive role. China, itself, claimed credit for advancing peace and security for the people of Darfur.

Unfortunately, Beijing's assertion was both premature and inaccurate. The Government of Sudan has put up a series of obstacles to UNAMID's deployment. Even more dishearteningly, Sudan has again stepped up its campaign of terror in Darfur, destroying villages in West Darfur, killing innocent civilians, and displacing tens of thousands more. A robust peacekeeping force is an essential element of a strategy to stop the violence and allow people to return home.

In substantial part, Khartoum has been able to ignore the UN's will and continue its violent acts because of China's fierce diplomatic protection. Beijing helped strip sanctions language from UNAMID's authorizing resolution, signaling to Sudan that it could block deployment of the force with impunity. Soon after the resolution's passage, China also resumed its role as apologist for the actions of Khartoum at the United Nations.

As Sudan's largest economic partner, major military supplier, and chief diplomatic supporter, Beijing is in an unrivaled position to persuade Sudan to change its behavior. Beijing can use its vast influence to insist that Khartoum consents to the swift and effective deployment of UNAMID; that Khartoum halts its military operations, as well as those of the Janjaweed, that directly or indirectly target civilians; and that Khartoum engages constructively in the peace process. By not using that influence, China remains the primary enabler of the atrocities committed by the Government of Sudan against the people of Darfur.

July 31st 2008 - eight days before the opening of the Olympics - will mark one full year since the unanimous passage of Resolution 1769, authorizing the peacekeeping force. If UNAMID is not effective by the start of the Games, the past 12 months can only be viewed as an abject failure of world leaders generally, and in particular of China's leaders who wield such strong influence both within the Security Council and with the Sudanese government.

We are not calling on any nation, athlete, or corporate sponsor to boycott the sporting events of the Olympics.

We are calling on world leaders to finish the job of seeing that UNAMID is effectively deployed before they attend the opening ceremony. And finishing the job requires China to be much more assertive with the Government of Sudan.

We are saying that unless UNAMID is effectively deployed, China should not be given the international prestige and recognition that the presence of world leaders at the opening ceremonies would convey. Beijing should not be allowed to bask in the warm glow of peace and brotherhood associated with the opening games if China is still underwriting atrocities in Darfur and still has not done what it should to bring peace and security to Sudan.

How can world leaders watch the lighting of the Olympic torch - under the "one world, one dream" banner - without taking bolder action to extinguish the flames of violence still consuming the defenseless men, women and children of Darfur?

The Genocide Intervention Network is working to build the first permanent anti-genocide constituency in the United States, mobilizing the political will to stop genocide when it occurs. Accessible online at www.GenocideIntervention.net, GI-Net empowers individuals with tools to stop genocide through education, fundraising for civilian protection and advocacy efforts.

Allyn Brooks-LaSure, Save Darfur Coalition, 202-478-6174; John Prendergast, ENOUGH Project, jp@enoughproject.org; Sam Bell, Genocide Intervention Network, 202-481-8220

Darfur Activists Release Ads, Outline Four Steps China Must Take to End Darfur Crisis

Groups: Given the unparalleled influence China has to affect Sudan’s behavior, we will hold China to a ‘results-based’ test.

The Genocide Intervention Network is working to build the first permanent anti-genocide constituency in the United States, mobilizing the political will to stop genocide when it occurs. Accessible online at www.GenocideIntervention.net, GI-Net empowers individuals with tools to stop genocide through education, fundraising for civilian protection and advocacy efforts.

For inquiries regarding these conflicts or more information, please contact GI-Net Education Associate Masaya Uchino.