Ongoing Human Rights Abuses in Sudan: Prendergast Testifies Before
Congress on the Sudans
Posted by Lexi Britton on Jun 20, 2013
John Prendergast
Ten years after the height of the genocide in Darfur, the humanitarian
situation in Sudan remains dire. State-sponsored violence and human
rights abuse run rampant throughout the country and an estimated
200,000 Darfuris have been displaced since the beginning of 2013. The
government of Sudan’s aerial bombardment of civilians in South
Kordofan and Blue Nile states and blockade of humanitarian relief has
also created a crisis nearing famine conditions.
On June 19, John Prendergast testified before the Tom Lantos Human
Rights Commission on the humanitarian crisis in the Sudans. Other
expert witnesses included Larry Andre of the Office of the Special
Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan at the Bureau of African Affairs,
Nancy E. Lindborg of the U.S. Agency for International Development,
Ken Isaacs of Samaritan’s Purse, E.J. Hogendoorn of International
Crisis Group, and Jehanne Henry of Human Rights Watch.
During the hearing, commission member Representative Wolf was candid
in his statements on war criminal Nafie al Nafie’s postponed visit to
the U.S: “To have this guy visit is immoral. It’s wrong.” Wolf also
emphasized the need for the administration to appoint a credible
Special Envoy on Sudan and South Sudan.
John Prendergast recommended that the U.S. focus expanded aid and
diplomatic assets on by:
Promoting comprehensive peace. The U.S. should help construct a
comprehensive peace process for all of Sudan rather than promote the
regional peace deals like the current Darfur initiative. The U.S.
should also recognize opposition coalitions such as the Sudan
Revolutionary Front, or SRF, as the key to a peaceful transition.
Supporting media tools and countering the state monopoly on access
to the media. This initiative would involve assisting opposition,
civil society, and Sudanese journalists.
Assisting democratic governance by supporting rebels’ capacity to
deliver humanitarian aid and create civil administrative capacities.
Enhancing coalition-building by assisting the efforts of Sudanese
civil society, rebels, and political opposition in building deeper
partnerships regarding their visions for political transition in
Sudan.
Building institutional capacities for SRF, National Consensus
Forces, youth, and civil society groups working for democratic change.
In his closing remarks, Prendergast emphasized that political
constituency in the U.S. matters in the fight against genocide. It is
vital to once again use political will to force policy makers to
address the ongoing human rights abuses in Sudan. Help put Sudan back
on the map.
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