| Nine states pursue measures against Sudanese government |
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| Friday, 25 March 2005 | ||||
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Despite the United Nation's Report of the International Inquiry on Darfur calling for investigations of war crimes against civilians by the Sudanese government in January and a declaration of genocide by the Bush Administration in September, the Sudanese Ambassador to the United States continues to deny allegations of involvement with militias operating in conflicted areas. Humanitarian aid efforts have been proposed and granted by the federal government, focusing on the estimated 2-6 million people displaced, but no course of action has been mentioned by the Bush Administration within recent months in regards to the Sudanese government. To this effect, six states have introduced legislature that would directly impact their relations with Sudan and businesses that operate within its borders: New Jersey, Illinois, New York, Texas, California (with two), Maryland. Additionally, Hawaii, Kentucky, and South Carolina have passed resolutions regarding the situation that exists within Sudan. These bills and resolutions range in spectrum from economic sanctions and divestment of funds from Sudanese-operating companies to political slaps on the wrist. New Jersey's Assembly bill, in particular, would prohibit the state government from investing any pension funds for its employees into businesses that operate in or do business with Sudan. According to an e-mail response from New Jersey Senator Nia Gill (D), an identical measure she co-sponsored with Senate Minority Whip Thomas Kean (R) is expected to pass easily through committee hearings in the near future. As of the writing for this article, the United States Senate has been presented with a bill seeking economic sanctions against the Sudanese government in reaction to the atrocities committed by they and other affiliated or supported groups within the Darfur province. No bill has successfully been signed into law by either the President or applicable state governors. While the United Nations, the United States, and the African Union continue discussions on how to address the atrocities in Sudan, nine states are pursuing legislation that would dictate involvement of government officials, bodies, and state businesses.
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