Calling on the League of Arab States to Acknowledge the Genocide in Darfur
(1) Declare the systematic torture, rape, and displacement of the people of Darfur a genocide;
(2) Pass a resolution at their next meeting to support and accept a United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force to enforce the ceasefire, protect civilians, and ensure access to humanitarian assistance in Darfur; and
(3) Work with the United Nations, the African Union and the United States Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan, Andrew Natsios, to bring about real and lasting peace and stability in Darfur, the refugee camps, and along the Chadian border.
On August 20 of last year, the League of Arab States met in Egypt and supported Sudan's refusal to allow a United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur. The following month, the League of Arab States called for the United Nations Security Council to give the government of Sudan more time to improve security conditions in Darfur. By that time, it had already been estimated that over 450,000 people had died as a result of genocide in Darfur. Since then the death toll has continued to mount.
Last year, I visited the Darfur region with my good friend, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and I was deeply disturbed by what I saw. As far as the eyes could see, there were crowds of displaced people who had been driven from their homes, living literally on the ground with little tarps just covering them. It is unconscionable that this has been allowed to continue for yet another year.
There can be no doubt that what is taking place in Darfur is genocide, and the government of Sudan is responsible. The League of Arab States should tell the government of Sudan that their time is up. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution, and I urge the League of Arab States to take a firm stand against the crime of genocide in Darfur.
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