News Article on International Movement Against Cluster Bombs

As you know, Amnesty is currently supporting S 594, the Custer Munitions Civilian Protection Act, in the Senate. This bill would place restrictions on the use of U.S. funds for the purpose of using or exporting these weapons in order to significantly reduce the likelihood of civilian casualties.

While this legislation would not ban cluster munitions, it is important to note that there is a growing international consensus against these weapons. I therefore encourage you to read the Associated Press's coverage of efforts to establish a treaty outlawing cluster bombs (“46 Nations Push for Cluster Bomb Treaty”). This article also provides good background information on the dangers posed by these weapons.

Please remember to call the offices of Senators Lautenberg and Menendez and urge them to cosponsor S 954!

Support the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act!

[Notes: This post originally referred to S 597. S. 594 is the correct number for this bill. AI has changed the link to the online action. I have updated it below.]

Please urge Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Robert Menendez to cosponsor S. 594, the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act.

During the last several decades, the international community has made significant advances toward eliminating the use of land mines. As you know, these weapons have killed an maimed countless civilians.

Unfortunately, the use of cluster munitions poses similar risks because many of the “bomblets” released by these bombs and missiles fail to explode upon impact. As a result, they scatter de facto land mines across large areas. The danger posed by these weapons has been compounded by their frequent use in or near civilian populated-areas. Children are particularly at risk, given that they are likely to pick up live “bomblets.”

S. 594 addresses these risks by restricting U.S. funds from being used to export cluster munitions that will be used in civilian areas. It also prohibits the use and export of cluster weapons in which more than one percent of the “bomblets” fail to detonate upon impact.

Please call Senator Lautenberg’s office at (202) 224-3224. You can reach Senator Menendez’s office at (202) 224-4744.

Amnesty International has also set up an online action on this issue.

Organize a Congressional Visit to End the Nightmare in Darfur!

As promised, here is the call for our April week of lobbying on Darfur!

Dear Supporter,

Last September, activists across the country met with their local congressional offices about murder, rape, forced displacement, and other ongoing atrocities in Darfur. As a result of their efforts, 174 members of the House of Representatives and all 100 senators signed a letter urging the Arab League to persuade the government of Sudan to allow UN peacekeepers to protect the civilian population of Darfur.

Despite some signs of yielding, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has refused to give final permission to allow UN action. It is therefore essential that we increase the pressure.

One of the most important ways to do so is convincing China—Sudan's largest trading partner—that it can no longer turn a blind eye to the atrocities while conducting business as usual with Sudan. We are therefore mobilizing for a new round of meetings with local congressional offices to support a letter that will tell the Chinese government that it is paying a high price in terms of its international prestige by continuing to support Khartoum’s brutal campaign with money, military equipment, and tacit consent.

During the many times that I have visited my representatives’ offices on behalf of Amnesty, they have made it clear that constituents like us play an important role in setting their agenda. That’s why I am organizing a delegation to visit my congressman, Albio Sires, in April.

Please help us end the nightmare in Darfur by applying to lead a delegation to your local congressional office. Many of those who participated in the meetings last fall did not have any previous lobbying experience. Nevertheless, they made a huge difference. Amnesty International will provide training and resources to help make your visit successful.

Thank you,
Larry Ladutke
Volunteer Legislative Coordinator, New Jersey
Amnesty International USA

Payne and Rothman Support the Women of Guatemala!

Congressmen Donald Payne [NJ-10] and Steven Rothman [NJ-9] have signed on as cosponsors of H.Res. 100, a congressional resolution condemning gender-based violence in Guatemala and calling upon the Guatemalan government to protect the nation’s women and girls. They join the other 47 House members who have cosponsored this bill, including Representatives Robert Andrews [NJ-1] and Rush Holt [NJ-12]! Amnesty International greatly appreciates their efforts to stop violence against women.

Village Voice Article: "China: Partner in Genocide"

As I have previously posted, Amnesty International is preparing for a week of in-district lobbying to request that Members of Congress put pressure on China to use its influence to help end the atrocities in Darfur. If you would like to know more details about why it is particularly important to focus our efforts on China, I suggest reading “China: Partner in Genocide” in the current issue of the Village Voice.

Naturally, I will provide more information about the week of lobbying once it becomes available!

Update: Rep. Andrews Joins Efforts to Stop Violence Against Women in Guatemala!

Congressman Robert Andrews (NJ-1) has become the second representative from New Jersey to cosponsor H.Res. 100, a resolution condemning the epidemic of gender-based violence in Guatemala and calling upon the Guatamalan government to take serious meassures to protect women and girls. Andrews had previously supported H.Res. 1081, a similar resolution that was introduced in the fall. Amnesty International is very grateful for his support for the victims and their families.

Congressman Rush Holt has already agreed to cosponsor H.Res. 100.

Upcoming Legislative Action on Darfur!

In September, Amnesty activists met with hundreds of congressional offices across the country to urge their representatives and senators to sign a letter a letter urging the Arab League to help persuade the Sudanese government to allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur. Over 174 members of the House of Representatives signed the letter, including nine of our state’s congressmen. All one hundred members of the Senate joined them.

Since then, the Sudanese government has wavered back and forth on the question of allowing UN forces to protect the civilian population of Darfur. It is therefore important for us to keep up the pressure! Amnesty has therefore called for another round of lobbying for the week of April 9th. This time, we will ask Congress to tell China—one of Sudan’s most important trade partners—that the time has come to stop the violence in Darfur.

Amnesty will begin recruiting delegation leaders soon. Please look here for further information!