2006-4

Support Darfur Resolution To Take Immediate Action To Stop The Campaign Of Racial Extermination Against The Ethnically Distinct Black African Population Of Darfur

Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz (NY), NHCSL President

Adopted by the Caucus on November 18, 2006

WHEREAS, This Assembled Body is committed to justice and the protection of innocent civilians everywhere; and

WHEREAS, Past reports have indicated that the armed forces of the government of Sudan, along with government-supported militias, committed numerous systematic attacks against the civilian populations of the African Fur, Masaalit and Zaghawa ethnic groups in the Darfur region; and

WHEREAS, The attacks include massacres, rape, and indiscriminate aerial bombardments that have killed thousands, displaced countless others and destroyed villages, food stocks and other supplies essential to the civilian population; and

WHEREAS, The government of Sudan has reportedly failed to take any immediate steps to stop these attacks, reverse the ethnic cleansing and provide the necessary protection and assistance to the millions of displaced civilians; and

WHEREAS, According to a report issued by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the horrific attacks committed against civilian populations in the Darfur region of Sudan may constitute war crimes and/or crimes against humanity; and

WHEREAS, Among the recommendation found in the report is a call for the government of Sudan to publicly and unequivocally condemn all actions and crimes committed by the Janjaweed militias and ensure that all militias are immediately disarmed and disbanded; and

WHEREAS, The report also urges full and unimpeded access for humanitarian workers in order to ensure the delivery of much needed humanitarian assistance to the Darfur region; and

WHEREAS, On July 13, 2004, Congressman Rangel further outlines his position in a July 15, 2004, article appearing in The New York Amsterdam News, by stating that “the people being slaughtered in Darfur are Muslims of Black African descent who have traditionally been marginalized by the Sudanese government”; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Assembled Body to strongly emphasize that crimes against humanity must be stopped immediately; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body urge the United States Congress to take immediate action to stop the campaign of racial extermination against the ethnically distinct black African population of Darfur, and to strongly denounce the actions of the Sudanese government in connection with this crime, and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitable engrossed, be transmitted to the President of the Senate of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each member of the Congress of the United States from the State of New York.

This resolution was adopted this November 18, 2006, at the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Executive Committee & BBA Annual Meeting held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz, NY
NHCSL President