Why Congress Needs to Do More on Darfur NOW

In UN police into Darfur refugee camp, Alfred de Montequiou of the Associated press quotes a tribal leader's reaction to the United Nation's peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID): We know they're our last chance, so we hope they're serious about helping us.

The elder's words also apply to those of us in the United States. As de Montequiou writes,

barely 1,400 of UNAMID's planned 6,000 police officers are in Darfur, and Bangladesh is the only contributing nation to have sent a new contingent so far. More urgently, the mission has only 7,000 troops instead of the expected 20,000, and wealthy Western countries are balking at offering crucial equipment such as helicopters. With so many troops and gear still missing, "we can only fulfill some of the mandate of UNAMID," Gen. Martin Agwai, the force commander,
told the AP last week.

Without financial support, the UN mission will fail and the people of Darfur will be left completely unprotected. You can help out by asking your Congressman and Senators to urge the State Department to provide funds for peacekeeping in Darfur and to help pursuade our European allies to do likewise! Please volunteer to organize or join a congressional visit in your area! Show the people of Darfur that we are serious about helping them!

The Peacekeepers Can't Protect Darfur Without OUR Help!

Last spring, activists across the nation met with their senators and congressmen to urge them to sign a letter urging the Chinese government to persuade Sudan to allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur. The mobilization was a success, and the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping force has begun to deploy.

Unfortunately, however, this is not enough to guarantee the safety of the people of Darfur. The peacekeeping force continues to faces obstacles from the Sudanese government as well as financial shortfalls that prevent it from carrying out its mission of ending the violence.

Amnesty International wants the U.S. government to help overcome these problems! We are organizing another week of lobbying at the end of February to ask members of the House and Senate to sign a letter urging Secretary of State Rice to increase pressure on the Sudanese government to cooperate with the peacekeeping force; contribute needed funds and equipment; and help convince our allies to do likewise.

You can volunteer to lead a delegation to your Congressman and/or Senator at http://www.amnestyusa.org/darfurlobby. Once again, Amnesty International will provide online training, phone conferences, and other resource to help prepare those chosen to lead delegations.

Senator Lautenberg Response on Cluster Bombs

I wanted to pass along this response from Sentator Frank Lautenberg regarding the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act":


Dear Mr. Ladutke:

Thank you for contacting me about cluster munitions. I appreciate and share your concern for innocent people who have been maimed and killed by cluster bombs.

Cluster bombs' wide-area coverage make s them particularly dangerous. These weapons are used in military operations but often fail to explode on contact , as- designed . They can remain in the soil long after the reason for their use has passed and the conflict h as ended . There are instances where such buried munitions end up harming innocent civilians.

I am pleased that the Senate included in the Fiscal Year 2008 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act a provision restricting the sale and transfer of cluster munitions . It also urges the President to take steps toward protecting civilians from unintentional exposure to harm . I supported this bill. Currently, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is reviewing the "Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act" (S. 594) which would permanently restrict the sale and transfer of cluster munitions . While I do not serve this committee , please be assured that I will keep your views in mind should this legislation come before the full Senate.

Thank you again for contacting me about this very important issue.