Sachiyo Yasunaga's List: Human Rights UCI Paper

• U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Bolton, former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Gen. Wesley Clark and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have all argued in favor of intervention in Sudan.

  • Intervention
• These leading architects of imperialist policy often refer to another model when they call for this intervention: the successful “humanitarian” war on Yugoslavia that established a U.S./NATO administration over Kosovo after a massive bombing campaign.

  • an successful example of intervention
• The Holocaust Museum in Washington issued a “genocide alert”—the first such alert ever issued—and 35 evangelical Christian leaders signed a letter urging President Bush to send U.S. troops to stop genocide in Darfur. A special national curriculum for students was established to generate grassroots support for U.S. intervention.

  • Urge and pressure to send US troops to stop genocide in Darfur.
• Newly discovered resources have made Sudan of great interest to U.S. corporations. It is believed to have oil reserves rivaling those of Saudi Arabia. It has large deposits of natural gas. In addition, it has one of the three largest deposits of high-purity uranium in the world, along with the fourth-largest deposits of copper.

  • Economic Interests Realism
• U.S. policy revolves around shutting down the export of oil through sanctions and inflaming national and regional antagonisms. For over two decades U.S. imperialism supported a separatist movement in the south of Sudan, where oil was originally found. This long civil war drained the central government’s resources. When a peace agreement was finally negotiated, U.S. attention immediately switched to Darfur in western Sudan.

  • Because of the economic interests, the US supports the rebels in the South of Sudan. -- Realism
• Now, due to the drought and the encroaching great Sahara Desert, there isn’t enough grazing land or enough farmland in what could be the breadbasket of Africa. Irrigation and development of Sudan’s rich resources could solve many of these problems. U.S. sanctions and military intervention will solve none of them.

  • Critics against US sanctions and military intervention.
• had is a former French colony, and both French and U.S. forces are heavily involved in funding, training and equipping the army of its military ruler, Idriss Deby, who has supported rebel groups in Darfur.
• U.S. troops carrying the UN flag invaded Korea in 1950 in a war that resulted in more than 4 million deaths. Still flying that flag, they have occupied and divided the Korean peninsula for over 50 years.

  • Failure of military intervention in Korea
• UN troops in Yugoslavia and in Haiti have been a cover for U.S. and European intervention and occupation—not peace or reconciliation.

  • Another example of military intervention that hasn´t been successful so much...

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• he National Congress Party (NCP),
• t

  he National Congress Party (NCP), dominated by Islamists from the North and ruled by authoritarian President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and his inner circle,

  • Party 1
• the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), led predominantly by Christians and practitioners of traditional indigenous religions from the South

  • Party 2

• The following human rights abuses occurred: abridgement of citizens' right to change their government; extrajudicial and other unlawful killings by government forces and other government-aligned groups throughout the country; torture, beatings, rape, and other cruel, inhumane treatment or punishment by security forces; harsh prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention, incommunicado detention of suspected government opponents, and prolonged pretrial detention; executive interference with the judiciary and denial of due process; obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the expulsion of individuals working for humanitarian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); restrictions on privacy; restrictions on freedom of speech; restrictions on the press, including direct censorship; restrictions on freedoms of assembly, association, religion, and movement; harassment of internally displaced persons; harassment and closure of human rights organizations; violence and discrimination against women, including female genital mutilation; child abuse, including sexual violence and recruitment of child soldiers; prevention of international human rights observers from traveling to and within the country; trafficking in persons; discrimination and violence against ethnic minorities; denial of workers' rights; and forced and child labor.

   

  Conflict and human rights abuses in Darfur continued. An estimated 1.9 million civilians have been internally displaced, and approximately 270,000 refugees have fled to neighboring Chad since the conflict in Darfur began in 2003. According to UN estimates, 268,000 persons were displaced between January and November in Darfur. The UN estimated in 2006 that 200,000 persons had died as a result of the conflict and that by 2008 an additional 100,000 may have died. Civilians in Darfur continued to suffer from the consequences of genocide.

  • Human Rights violations situation

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• The move to give food aid to the SPLA was met by the resistance of most of the American operational NGOs involved in relief activities in northern and southern Sudan. These American organizations were concerned that the U.S. supplying food aid to rebels would become merged-in the mind of the Khartoum government-with their own food-supplying activities to needy civilians, and they might become military targets. They wanted the appearance of neutrality in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to be preserved, not compromised. President Clinton ultimately decided not to supply food aid to the SPLA.[1546]
• Another puzzling aspect of the U.S. $ 3 million was that it was intended to improve NDA capacity for participation in peace negotiations-when the NDA is not a party to the IGAD peace negotiations, the only peace process that the U.S. wholeheartedly backs.
• The new administration, which took office in January 2001, early on expressed its interest in resolving the Sudan conflict and bringing an end to the suffering of its peoples.  On March 6, 2001, the new Secretary of State, Colin Powell, testified at a House International Relations Committee hearing, "There is perhaps no greater tragedy on the face of the Earth today than the tragedy that is unfolding in the Sudan."[1557]

  • Idealism US concerning human rights violations
• Aid agencies report that food assistance is sometimes distributed only to those willing to undergo conversion to Islam. 

  • Aid, one of the carrots, may not be distributed well.
• Today, I have appointed a special humanitarian coordinator, USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios.  He will provide the leadership necessary to ensure that our aid goes to the needy, without manipulation by those ravaging that troubled land.  This is the first step.  More will follow. Our actions begin today-and my administration will continue to speak and act for as long as the persecution and atrocities in the Sudan last.

  • To avoid the unequal distribution. AID
• For nearly two decades, the government of Sudan has waged a brutal and shameful war against its own people.  And this isn't right, and this must stop.  The government has targeted civilians for violence and terror.  It permits and encourages slavery.  And the responsibility to end the war is on their shoulders.  They must now seek the peace, and we want to help.[1560]

  • Again, idealism. However, there may be the interest of security. By criticizing the government, the US can change the government attitude towards terrorism.
• Danforth's mission was to report to the president as to whether the two main parties to Sudan's nineteen-year civil war-the Sudanese government and the SPLM/A-were ready for peace negotiations. If he found that they were, then the U.S. would undertake an intensive diplomatic effort to assist in the negotiating process. If they were not serious about peace, then the U.S. would not substantially set up its engagement in Sudan.

  • Potential diplomacy in the future to assist the peace negotiations.
• Senator Danforth approached his mission by proposing four tests that the two main parties to the conflict-the Sudanese government and the rebel SPLM/A-must meet in order to satisfy the U.S. that they were committed to the search for peace: (1) The signing of a ceasefire agreement in the Nuba Mountains, allowing humanitarian access, to be monitored by a team of fifteen to twenty-five international personnel; (2) An agreement by both sides not to attack or target civilians or civilian objects in the war in the south, also to be monitored, by a verification mission of fifteen international professional staff; (3) The appointment of a commission consisting of eminent persons from many countries which would investigate and make recommendations for practical solutions to the problem of slavery in Sudan; and (4) respect for "zones of tranquility" in the conflict areas, enabling medical humanitarian agencies to carry out polio immunizations and campaigns against bovine rinderpest and guinea worm.[1561]

  • Diplomatic approach done in 2003. Seeing how the two main parties react to the approach, the US should decide what action to take. If they don´t agree to the approach, probably sanctions or other sticks should be posed.
• The forward momentum on Sudan was accelerated when overall U.S. foreign policy after September 11, 2001, became focused on the response to the terrorists who attacked the U.S., believed to be part of an international conspiracy headed by Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda movement.

  • Security interests increased after 2001 September 11.
• The Sudanese government finally signed the "no attacks on civilians or civilian objects" agreement proposed by Danforth, on March 10, 2002. The SPLA signed on March 25

  • diplomatic achievement in 2002
• Senator John Danforth's report to President Bush was made public on May 10, 2002. It summarized the state of compliance by the parties with the four agreements and concluded that the parties had shown sufficient commitment to finding a negotiated end to the war that the U.S. should continue its engagement. The report concluded that there were massive human rights abuses being committed in Sudan, and that its judicial system was completely unable to provide any redress.

  • The Two parties are committed to the end of war. Diplomacy should be continued.
• Senator Danforth also put forth his opinion that "the fair allocation of oil resources could be the key to working out broader political issues if it were possible to find a monetary formula for sharing oil revenue between the central government and the people of the south" in whose territory the oil is found.  He urged the U.S. government to dedicate resources and staff to "develop our best thinking on how the distribution of oil revenues might further the cause of peace in Sudan."[1566]

  • By diplomacy, the revenue of oil should be dealt with.
• The peace talks, hosted by Kenya under the auspices of IGAD, the East African and Horn intergovernmental authority, proceeded with noticeable momentum in June and July 2002. These talks under IGAD had intermittently engaged the parties' attention since 1994 when the government and the SPLM/A reached an initial breakthrough in the signing of a Declaration of Principles (DOP).
• Under the Clinton administration the U.S., Norway, Canada, and several other countries formed an IGAD Partners' Forum group (IPF) designed to provide stepped-updiplomatic and financial support to the IGAD peace process.[1568]  In 2002 the international actors coordinated their pressure on Sudan, lead by an informal "Troika" composed of the U.S., the U.K., and Norway, with the Kenyan government playing a leading role and providing the chief mediator.

  • Diplomacy with other countries
• a self-determination referendum would be conducted to determine southern choice (between unity or independence)-six and a half years after the signing of the final peace agreement. As to religion, shari'a was confirmed as the religion and source of laws in the northern two-thirds of the country, and the south was free to be a secular or other state as it desired during the interim six and a half year period, when a southern regional government would have substantial autonomy within a unified Sudan.

  • Agreements in 2002
• Short of full international engagement in the Sudan peace process, however, the parties would likely continue to fight indefinitely.

  • Although the diplomatic process seems to be working well, they still want fight against each other almost indefinitely.
• The bill also provided that the rebels would receive one hundred million dollars, regardless of the Sudanese government's compliance, over a three-year period. The ability or willingness of the U.S. government to provide these funds, if the peace talks collapse, may be called into question in the aftermath of the U.S. military engagement in Iraq.

  • Military aid to the rebels also should be continued as a pressure on the government to establish the peace talks.

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• But in recent years, Sudan has signaled a willingness to combat terrorism. In light of this progress, the UN Security Council lifted terrorism-related sanctions against Khartoum in 2001, and in 2007, the U.S. State Department said Sudan had become “a strong partner in the War on Terror.”
• Sudan remains on the U.S. list of state sponsors because it continues to support Hamas, which the Bush administration considers a terrorist organization.
• Under pressure from the United States and Saudi Arabia, Sudan ejected bin Laden in 1996, and he reestablished his base in Afghanistan. Four years later, the Sudanese government began uprooting al-Qaeda bases in Sudan. In 2005, the U.S. State Department reported that al-Qaeda elements had not been present in Sudan with the knowledge and consent of the Sudanese government since 2000.

• What counterterrorism measures has the United States taken against Sudan?

     

  The designation of Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism imposes four main sets of U.S. government sanctions:

   

   
  • A ban on arms-related exports and sales.
   
  • Controls over exports of dual-use items, requiring thirty-day congressional notification for foods or services that could significantly enhance the terrorist-listed country’s military capability or ability to support terrorism.
   
  • Prohibitions on economic assistance.
   
  • Imposition of miscellaneous financial and other restrictions, including: requiring the U.S. government to oppose loans by the World Bank and other international financial institutions; lifting diplomatic immunity to allow families of terrorist victims to file civil lawsuits in U.S. courts; denying companies and individuals tax credits for income earned in terrorist-listed countries; denying duty-free treatment of goods exported to the United States;granting the U.S. government the authority to prohibit any U.S. citizen from engaging in a financial transaction with a terrorist-list government without a Treasury Department license; and prohibiting Defense Department contracts above $100,000 with companies controlled by terrorist-list states.

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• They have imposed sanctions on the country despite the limited economic relations between the two nations. The

• Following the August 1998 bombings of the U.S.  embassies in Kenya and Tanzania—allegedly carried out by the  al-Qaeda organization—the United States launched cruise missile  attacks against the El Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Sudan, claiming  it was a chemical weapons factory with ties to Osama bin Laden.
• A similar program was initiated in  2000–01 as the United States and the international community  again responded to drought situations in Sudan. In April 2003, theU.S.  government announced it would not impose economic sanctions against  Sudan because it had taken steps to end the conflict in the south  through the Mashakos peace negotiations.

• Sudan

   

  Evidence indicates that Sudan allows the use of its territory as a sanctuary   for terrorist organizations, including Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.   The embargo and export controls demonstrate U.S. opposition to Sudan's support   for international terrorism and restrict access to items that could make a   significant contribution to Sudan's military capability and ability to support   international terrorism. The United States has continuing concern about Sudan's   support for international terrorism; the premeditated blocking of humanitarian   assistance to those in need; calculated attacks against civilians by Sudanese   armed forces; and the prevalence of human rights violations, including slavery   and the denial of religious freedom. Sudan must take substantive steps towards   improvement in these areas before the United States will consider establishing   normal relations or modifying U.S. export controls. Based on U.S.-Sudanese   dialogue that began in September 2001, the U.S. Government's authorization   of exports of food, medicine, and medical equipment ensures that the Sudanese   population does not suffer unduly in terms of basic human needs as a result   of U.S. export controls.

• Sudan

   

  The controls on Sudan affirm the commitment of the United States to oppose   international terrorism by limiting Sudan's ability to obtain and use U.S.-origin   items in support of terrorist or military activities. These controls send   a clear message to Sudan of strong U.S. opposition to its support for terrorist   groups.

• Sudan

   

  The United States imposed the controls (and subsequent embargo) in response   to credible evidence that Sudan assists international terrorist groups, destabilizes   neighboring governments, and violates human rights. The United States continues   to consult with key allies and urges them to take all possible measures to   convince Sudan to halt its support of terrorism.

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• n recent years, Sudan has emerged as a small but fast-growing oil producer, first with the help of American and European corporations and more recently with investments from Chinese, Indian and Malaysian companies. Sudan now pumps about 500,000 barrels of oil a day, bringing in enough wealth to set off an economic and real estate boom in Khartoum, the capital.

• 'Sudan still has a way to go,'' Secretary Powell said, ''but I am pleased that as a result of a lot of diplomatic effort on our part, we have made some progress in getting a political process started once again.''
• Washington is ''making it clear to the Sudanese government that if they want to move forward, they do have to work with us against terrorism,''

• The United States has posted a resident diplomat in Khartoum for the first time since 1996, a sign of thawing relations with Sudan. J

•   Secretary of State Colin L. Powell,
• the United States would lift sanctions if Sudan reached a peace accord and acted further against terrorism.
• Mr. Powell met with Kenya's leaders and prepared to confer with Sudanese negotiators who have been involved in peace talks with rebel leaders
• Kenya has been the host of the Sudan talks in recent years.
• In the 1990's, Sudan provided a haven to Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda.
• More recently, however, the United States has praised Sudan for its negotiations with rebels in the south and for assisting the fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan and against Al Qaeda. Sudan remains on Washington's list of countries sponsoring terrorists, however.
• An interim governing arrangement is also being negotiated, along with the sharing of Sudan's oil wealth.
• The Bush administration, prodded in part by American Christian evangelical groups demanding that the United States get involved to protect Christians in Sudan, has taken an unusual interest in the Sudan civil war.
• ''I must say that over the last several years, the Sudanese have shown an increasing level of cooperation on counterterrorism issues,'' he said. He said the United States would look at ''the whole range of restrictions, sanctions, listings with respect to Sudan, and they are considerable,'' if Sudan cooperated further.
• While in Nairobi, Mr. Powell met with President Mwai Kibaki, who thanked him for American support of the Sudan peace effort. Mr. Powell then visited the American embassy, which was built recently in a northern Nairobi suburb to replace the old embassy in the center of the city that was bombed by Al Qaeda in 1998.

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• ''No enduring settlement to Sudan's war can be achieved unless the oil dimension is effectively addressed,'' Mr. Danforth says in the draft of the report. ''
• Some critics of Sudan's government have urged that foreign investment in the oil industry be halted until the fighting ends, but Mr. Danforth has taken the view that oil could be used to bring the warring parties together.
• However, the Sudanese government has already rejected the notion of an oil deal. ''The petroleum is a national wealth owned by the Sudanese people and cannot be an object of compromise,'' Ali Osman Taha, the first vice president of the National Islamic Front, told reporters in Khartoum on Wednesday.
• He did say, however, that the government would be willing to grant the south ''a special status in the oil revenues for improving services and achieving stability there.''
• The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, in its own recent report on Sudan, recommended that the government put oil revenues into an internationally administered trust fund that would be divided between the north and south and spent solely for development purposes.
• A consortium of Malaysian, Chinese, Canadian and Sudanese companies now pumps an estimated 220,000 barrels a day out of Sudanese wells. In the next few years, the government expects to more than double that production, making the country one of the world's medium-sized producers.

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