Sudan

Chicago, IL -- April 18, 2008 -- "I am deeply concerned by reports that the Bush Administration is negotiating a normalization of relations with the Government of Sudan that would include removing it from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. This would reportedly be in exchange for Khartoum's agreement to allow Thai and Nepalese troops to participate in the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur.

Barack Obama speaks at Darfur Rally, April 2006: Photo by Toucanradio (CC)

This reckless and cynical initiative would reward a regime in Khartoum that has a record of failing to live up to its commitments.    » read more »

Bipartisan resolution calls for comprehensive peace process to end violence

April 15, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate passed a resolution authored by U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, calling on governments, multinational bodies, and non-state actors in Chad, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Sudan to implement a comprehensive peace process to end the violence.

Women by White Nile, Khartoum, Sudan: Photo by Arne Hoel / World Bank (CC)    » read more »

13 February 2008 -- U.S. film director Stephen Spielberg has stepped down as artistic consultant to the Beijing Olympics due to China's policy on Sudan and the conflict in Darfur.

Spielberg said his conscience will not allow him to continue in the position because he believes China has not been active enough in resolving the crisis in Darfur.

Human Rights Watch says Spielberg's decision should prompt other influential people to press China to reform.    » read more »

February 13, 2008 -- [WASHINGTON, DC] – United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to the White House today, expressing concern over the willingness of President Bush to enforce a new law putting economic restrictions on the Sudanese government for their support of the genocide in Darfur. A statement issued at the signing of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act, indicated that the White House would only enforce the law as it saw fit.    » read more »

January 28, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) and Ranking Member Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) are introducing a bipartisan resolution today urging the members of the international community, including the United States, to provide the resources the African Union and United Nations need to carry out their joint peacekeeping mission in Darfur.    » read more »

Davos, Switzerland, 23 January 2008 – Global crises from escalating demand for fresh water and inadequate supply are as urgent as efforts to tackle climate change – yet are more vexing and complicated, the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 heard today.

A panel including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told international business CEOs and civil society leaders assembled in Davos that water stress poses a risk to economic growth, human rights, health, safety and national security.    » read more »

20 December 2007 -- The U.S. Congress has approved legislation that would allow U.S. states, localities and private investors to withdraw their investments in Sudan. The bill targets four economic sectors – oil, power production, mining and military equipment – that analysts say are important sources of revenue for the Sudan government. It is now awaiting President Bush’s signature.    » read more »

December 18, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two bills, introduced by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), to provide federal support for state and local divestment efforts in Sudan passed the House as part of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007. The bills called for economic restrictions against the Sudanese regime supporting genocide in Darfur. The legislation now goes to the President for signature.    » read more »

Legislation Now Goes to the President's Desk to Be Signed Into Law

December 14, 2007 -- Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton announced today that the Senate has approved a measure she introduced to address the Bush Administration’s response to the crisis in Darfur.    » read more »

December 12, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two bills introduced by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to provide federal support for state and local divestment efforts in Sudan unanimously passed the Senate as part of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007. The bills called for economic restrictions against the Sudanese regime supporting genocide in Darfur.    » read more »

04 December 2007 -- Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s pardon of a jailed British school teacher accused of insulting Islam has dampened a potential crisis over threats to impose harsh sharia legal penalties against a westerner. The private school teacher, Gillian Gibbons, whose 7-year-old Khartoum pupils named their classroom project teddy bear after Muhammad, the founding prophet of Islam, left Khartoum yesterday on a flight to London following a stopover in Dubai.    » read more »

28 November 2007 -- Human rights advocates say China is not doing enough to address the crisis in Sudan's troubled region of Darfur. One group is calling on corporate sponsors of the 2008 Olympic Games to push China to do more. But their responses have also drawn criticism.

U.S.-based advocacy group Dream for Darfur says corporate sponsors of the Olympics in Beijing have failed to do their part to pressure China to ensure peace in Darfur.    » read more »

News Correspondent Jeff Johnson Travels to Darfur and Sits Down with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Actor, Activist and Author Don Cheadle to Discuss the Issues Facing the Sudan

NEW YORK, Nov. 14 -- Thousands of people in the Darfur region of the Sudan are being beaten, raped, murdered and driven from their homes resulting in an astonishing death toll of more than 200,000 innocent Africans.    » read more »

November 13, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the people of Darfur at a “New Jersey Lights Torch for Darfur” event in Newark, New Jersey.

“America and the international community have a moral responsibility to work together to stop the violence in Darfur. China in particular must be held accountable and use its influence with Sudan to help end the genocide. We must apply the lessons of past atrocities to what is taking place and bring peace to Darfur,” said Sen. Lautenberg (D-NJ).    » read more »

October 29, 2007 -- WASHINGTON – Peace talks on the genocide in Darfur that began this weekend in Libya reportedly have gotten off to a sputtering start, in large part because key rebel groups declined to attend. In addition, Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi began the talks with a speech urging the international community to take a hands-off approach to the situation.    » read more »