On Monday, I posted that Darfur is still a crisis. In it I spoke of how we, in this country, are ignoring what is going on in the Sudan. Well, today, I have to admit I was wrong. Our government’s leadership is fully aware of what is going on in the Sudan but, some are actively blocking efforts to help stop the atrocities.

Indiana Senator Richard Lugar, head of the foreign relations committee, has put forward a new draft of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act that, effectively, takes the teeth out of the act by doing away with support for a divestment effort.

Just as is the case of South Africa in the late 80’s, divestment has been critical in getting governments to comply when issues of human rights violations arise. However, just as in the case of South Africa, there are opponents in the U.S. government who support profit over life.

As I stated before, the Sudan is oil-rich. Right now, their biggest oil partner is China (another country with a less-than-stellar human rights record). It appears that the U.S. is afraid of 1) upsetting the Sudanese government in hopes of getting in good with its oil ministry and 2) upsetting U.S. companies that do business in the Sudan.

So, if you would like to contact Sen. Lugar and ask him why he would remove what is arguably one of the most effective enforcement measures against these atrocities, you can reach him at:

• His D.C. Office: (202) 224-4814 or
• any of his Indiana offices: (317) 226-5555, (260) 422-1505, (219) 548-8035, (812) 288-3377, (812) 465-6313 or
• email him at senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov

We have to act because human lives depend on it. Technorati Profile

Popularity: 8% [?]