On November 28, thirty eight organizations and individuals sent a letter to Senators Reed and Inhofe, Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, calling on them to include Senator Coons’ Sudan Democracy Act in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Senator Coons’ legislation would mandate the imposition of targeted sanctions against individual actors or entities who undermine freedom, peace, and justice, violate human rights, or impede a civilian-led democratic transition in Sudan.
“Impunity emboldened the Sudanese military to stage the coup and it will continue to commit crimes and human rights violations against the Sudanese people, block democratic transformation, and essentially hold the country hostage unless they are held to account.”
The Senate is expected to vote on the NDAA later this week. The U.S. Congress played a crucial role in supporting the Sudanese people’s desire for freedom, peace, justice and democracy following the ousting of Bashir in 2019. Passage of the Sudan Democracy Act will demonstrate continued and significant congressional support at a time when it is desperately needed.
Read the full letter here and below.
November 28, 2021
The Honorable Jack Reed
Chairman, Senate Armed Services Committee
U.S. Senate
The Honorable James Inhofe
Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee
U.S. Senate
Re: Support for Including Sudan Democracy Act in NDAA
Dear Chairman Reed and Ranking Member Inhofe,
We, the undersigned XX organizations and individuals who work on issues of human rights in Sudan, write to urge you to include the Sudan Democracy Act (Amendment 4816) in the manager's package to the NDAA or to bring the amendment to a floor vote.
The Sudan Democracy Act will mandate the imposition of targeted sanctions against individual actors or entities who undermine freedom, peace, and justice, violate human rights, or impede a civilian-led democratic transition in Sudan. The military coup on October 25 in Sudan and subsequent and ongoing violent action by security forces against civilians represent violations the amendment seeks to address and deter.
The agreement signed by General Burhan and Prime Minister Hamdok on November 21 cannot be seen as a resolution. Despite Hamdok’s reinstatement as Prime Minister, the government remains predominantly in military control. Large numbers of politicians and activists are still detained. Violence on the day the agreement was signed brings the confirmed death toll of civilians by military forces to 41 since the coup began. Arrests of activists and resistance committee members continue. The total number of those detained, harmed and killed remains unclear due to the internet blackout, with reports now surfacing of mass casualties and the destruction of villages in Darfur.
These and other actions are a clear sign that the military continues to be a threat to Sudan, hindering democratic transformation, economic recovery and stability, a new bilateral relationship with the U.S., and ultimately regional peace and security.
Despite these challenges, Sudan’s peaceful protesters will not give up. In the face of grave danger and unrelenting violations to their rights and freedoms, millions continue to come out on the streets across Sudan in protest to military rule.
Following the ousting of Bashir in 2019, the U.S. has played a crucial role in supporting the Sudanese people’s desire for freedom, peace, justice and democracy. Including Amendment 4816 in the manager’s package to the NDAA or allowing a floor vote will demonstrate continued and significant support at a time when support is desperately needed. Impunity emboldened the Sudanese military to stage the coup and it will continue to commit crimes and human rights violations against the Sudanese people, block democratic transformation, and essentially hold the country hostage unless they are held to account.
As Senator Coons stated, General Burhan and the military have “unleash[ed] security forces to gun down dozens of peaceful protestors in the streets. This is unacceptable and unconscionable, and those responsible must be held accountable for the blood on their hands.” We agree, and we ask you to continue to stand by the people of Sudan. Please include the Sudan Democracy Act (Amendment 4816) in the manager's package to the NDAA or bring the amendment to a floor vote.
Sincerely,
Organizations
Girifna
The Sentry
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Sudanese American Public Affairs Association
Sudanese American Physicians Association
Act for Sudan
Sudan NexGen
Association of Sudanese-American Professors in America
Sudan Unlimited
Never Again Coalition
Jewish World Watch
Humanity United Action
Al Khatim Adlan Centre for Enlightenment and Human Development
Darfur and Beyond
Nubia Project
Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency Coalition
Darfur Action Group of South Carolina
Project Expedite Justice
NY Coalition for Sudan
Investors Against Genocide
Concerned Citizens for Change
Use You Voice to Stop Genocide RI
Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur
Sustainable Development Response Organization
US Educated Sudanese Association
Brooklyn Coalition for Darfur and Marginalized Sudan
Center for International Private Enterprise
University of Gezira Alumni Association in North America
Association for the Sudanese Abroad in Support of the Uprising
Our Humanity in the Balance
Global Media Max
Individuals
Baroness Cox, Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust, UK
Jehanne Henry, Independent human rights lawyer
Sally Elatta, CEO, Agility Health
Mohamed Yassin Khalifa, Educator and Human Rights Activist
Abdelaziz Ali, Freelance Communications Consultant
Albaqir al-Affif Mukhtar, Director, KACE
Najlaa El Khalifa, Human Rights Advocate
cc: Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Senator James Risch, Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee