09 June 2003
U.S. Lawmakers React to U.N. Decision To Eliminate Observer In Sudan
(House Africa Subcommittee takes hard line on slavery) (1060)
By Jim Fisher-Thompson
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- Members of both political parties in Congress reacted
strongly to the United Nations Human Rights Commission decision to
lift the monitoring of abuses like abduction and slavery in Sudan,
hinting they would consider legislation to sanction U.S. companies
doing business in the troubled but oil rich nation if conditions did
not improve.
The House Africa Subcommittee, meeting June 4 to discuss a series of
resolutions in a process called a "Markup," roundly condemned the
recent commission decision to remove Sudan from its 'Item 9' list of
countries that require the presence of an official observer -- termed
a 'Special Rapporteur' -- because of well-documented human rights
abuses.
[House or Senate Resolutions are non-binding official statements or
opinions that are usually introduced in a subcommittee or committee
before being sent to their full chambers for debate and a final vote.]
Africa Subcommittee Chairman Ed Royce (Republican of California)
opened discussion of House Resolution 194: Regarding the Importance of
International Efforts to Abolish Slavery and Other Human Rights Abuses
in the Sudan, declaring: "Our patience has been tried by human rights
abuses in Sudan" and now at the failure of the U.N. to press for
change there.
The lawmaker said, "I commend the work of Representative [Donald]
Payne (Democrat of New Jersey) and others for raising the issue of
slavery and human rights abuses in Sudan. Resolution 194 states that
"human rights abuses and slavery in Sudan remain a matter of the most
profound concern." Unfortunately, since the resolution was introduced,
the U.N. Commission on Human Rights decided not to renew Sudan's
status as an 'Item 9' country, which ended the appointment of the
Special Rapporteur to Sudan, who had done valuable human rights
reporting."
Royce then introduced an amendment to the Sudan resolution, which the
Subcommittee passed unanimously. It stated:
"-- The United States must make clear to all members of the U.N.
Commission on Human Rights that the refusal to condemn slavery in
Sudan undermines any moral authority that the Commission might seek to
exert in other areas;
"-- The United States must work to re-classify Sudan as an 'Item 9'
country, requiring a Special Rapporteur at the next session of the
United Nations Commission on Human Rights; and
"-- The United States should encourage the U.N. to consider
reinstating sanctions against Sudan and should urge the European
Union, the African Union, and all others who express concern for human
freedom and dignity to be engaged in activities that will convince
Sudan to abolish slavery and respect human rights."
Representative Payne voiced strong support for the amendment stating
plainly, "The National Islamic Front (NIF) Government of Sudan is
responsible for the heinous crimes and human rights abuses" in Sudan's
18-year civil war. And he held out the possibility that Congress may
push for economic sanctions to spur the NIF to make changes.
Fellow subcommittee member Tom Tancredo (Republican of Colorado) also
disagreed with the U.N. decision to withdraw its human rights monitor
from Sudan saying he did not believe enough progress toward ending
slavery had been made by the Sudanese government. "I am frankly quite
concerned by this [U.N.] vote...because it does really nothing to
advance peace in the region; but, in a way, rewards the government in
Khartoum for inaction" on ending slavery and genocide.
Royce raised the possibility of pushing for legislation, called
Capital Markets sanctions, that would forbid U.S. financing to firms
that do business in Sudan if its government failed to work on
documented human rights abuses.
In the overly polite language of Congress, the Chairman asked Payne:
"Would the gentleman concur that should progress not be made in Sudan
that having passed it [Capital Markets sanction bill] once, the
Subcommittee and this House will pass it a second time and include
with it a provision on divestment and a campaign to try to win state
sanctions against Sudan in the international community."
Payne answered Royce saying, "I would be very pleased for us to take a
look at the next report" on human rights conditions in Sudan "and then
move in that direction" if necessary.
[Passed by the House in October 2002, the Capital Markets sanction
bill was eliminated during the debate that led to the Sudan Peace Act
that became law that same year.]
Payne said, "We raised some eyebrows.... in Sudan when the House
passed Capital Markets sanctions and not many of us will forget that."
This meant that some oil companies that depend on "an infusion of cash
from Wall Street could not borrow...to move forward with their oil
exploration," which focused a spotlight on slavery in Sudan.
Declaring "we have to fight injustices on many fronts," Payne also
pointed out that the policy of divestment -- American stockholders,
firms and municipalities withdrawing equity from companies that
continue to operate in questionable countries -- helped bring down the
apartheid regime in South Africa and might work in Sudan. Sometimes
governments change when "you hurt them in the pocketbook," he
emphasized.
Representative Jeff Flake (Republican of Arizona) voiced concerns
about Capital Markets sanctions noting he had earlier voted against
it. "If we could limit it to Sudan it might be one thing, but I fear
that as has been the case often in Africa" the law would end up
causing more harm than good by stifling investment opportunities in
other countries that might be genuinely trying to reform.
Royce said, "I really hope, like you, that we can do this without
Capital Markets sanctions but, should it come to that, I think
Congress has telegraphed its feelings about this and we are absolutely
committed" to supporting an end to slavery as well as the ongoing
peace process in Sudan.
Five other resolutions were voted on favorably by the Africa
Subcommittee and sent to the full House Committee on International
Relations for consideration. They included resolutions: praising South
Africa for its transfrontier conservation efforts; acknowledging
Djibouti's role in countering terrorism; citing the transition to
democracy in Burundi; commending Kenya for conducting free and fair
elections; and honoring the life of South African Walter Sisulu, who
died recently.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International
Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)
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