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Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006

By: Al Green
By: Al Green
Date: April 5, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs


DARFUR PEACE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2006 -- (House of Representatives - April 05, 2006)

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Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I am offering my support for H.R. 3127, the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act. This bill would be an important step in ending the crisis that continues to plague the Darfur region of Sudan.

Since civil unrest erupted in Sudan in February 2003, roughly 400,000 people have died and an astounding 2.5 million have become displaced as a result of policies by the government of Sudan and attacks by government troops and government-backed militias. The human inhabitants of that beautiful land suffer daily from unimaginable torments including rape, hunger, looting, and indiscriminate killing.

The U.S. government has officially acknowledged that what is happening in Darfur is genocide. Now, it is imperative that the U.S. and the global community act in defense of those in Sudan who are suffering at the hands of their government. If we do not do all that we can to bring stability to this humanitarian crisis, then we are essentially participating in the problem.

H.R. 3127 aims to end this deplorable violence through a variety of means including increasing asset and travel sanctions, urging the expansion and a stronger mandate for the African Union Mission, AMIS, bringing perpetrators of genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity in Darfur to justice through the International Criminal Court, and urging the President to apply additional methods of diplomatic pressure.

As a member of the Congressional Sudan Caucus, I have had the opportunity to express my commitment to developing a solution that will put an end to this continuing genocide. Furthermore, I intend to do what I can in my capacity as a Member of Congress to demonstrate this august body's dedication to supporting human rights around the world. I am optimistic that, by working with advocates and the international community, peace will return to Sudan.

I support the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act. I also urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important legislation.

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