Yesterday, the Washington Post carried graphic videos of the executions of civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. We must never forget that the RSF, then known as the Janjaweed, is the same perpetrator that carried out the genocide against the people of Darfur in 2004 and 2005.
Congress has recently introduced two resolutions to deal with ever worsening crisis in Sudan. Introduced in the Senate (S. Res. 559) and the House (H. Res. 1328) both resolutions recognize the actions of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militia in Darfur, Sudan, as acts of genocide against non-Arab ethnic communities. The resolutions also:
- Condemn these atrocities
- Call for accountability through national and international mechanisms
- Urge increased humanitarian support for victims
- Emphasize the need for preventive measures against future genocides
- Promote international cooperation to address the root causes of the conflict in Darfur and ensure lasting peace and stability
Uyghurs in China
Introduced by U.S. Representatives Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) and Carlos A. Giménez (R-FL), the Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act (H.R.4840) requires publicly traded companies to be transparent and divulge any ties to Uyghur forced labor. It would allow both consumers and shareholders to make more informed decisions as they spend and invest their money.
The Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act (UFLDA) :
- Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to mandate all publicly traded companies to release annual reports indicating what goods are sourced from the Uyghur regions of China.
- Affirms the importance of using outside groups to verify company reports.
- Empowers organizations and individuals to push for more ethical business practices.
The Uyghur Policy Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate (S.1252) by Senator Marco Rubio (R, FL). The bill would ensure that the US provides increased support for the Uyghur diaspora and for Uyghurs suffering from human rights abuses in China.
Click here to tell your U.S. senators to support and co-sponsor the Uyghur Policy Act.
Armenians were forced out of Azerbaijan
Congress must pass the Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act of 2024. The bipartisan bill was crafted and introduced by Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). The bill would make the Biden Administration review Azerbaijan’s actions to determine if Magnitsky sanctions are appropriate. Magnitsky Sanctions target entities that commit serious human rights abuses. Azerbaijani officials have committed crimes, including the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, the arbitrary detention of Armenian POWs and civilian captives, the torture and abuse of detainees, and extrajudicial killings.
Click here to tell your Members of Congress to cosponsor the Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act.
Pass the BRAVE Burma Act
Introduced by Reps. Bill Huizenga (R, MI-4), Betty McCollum (D, MN-4), Ann Wagner (R, MO-2), and Brad Sherman (D, CA-32), the “Bringing Real Accountability Via Enforcement in Burma Act,” or BRAVE Burma Act (H.R.8863), would press the U.S. Administration to sanction:
- Burmese state-owned enterprises, such as Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE)
- Myanmar Economic Bank (MEB)
- Any foreign persons or companies involved in the jet fuel sector of the Burmese economy
Please take action today to tell your Members of Congress to pass the BRAVE Burma Act.
Pass the Rohingya GAP Act
U.S. Representatives Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and Michael McCaul (R-TX) have introduced the Rohingya Genocide, Accountability, and Protection Act, or Rohingya GAP Act (H.R.8936).
The bill seeks to provide protection, support, and humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees and internally displaced people. It also promotes accountability and a path out of genocide and crimes against humanity for the Rohingya.
Click here to tell your representative to cosponsor the Rohingya GAP Act.
Please keep up the pressure by contacting your Members of Congress today on all five of our priority cases of genocide and other mass atrocities. Every day we hear from people on Capitol Hill that your messages are getting through! You are making a difference for people all over the world!