U.S. Senate resolution recognizing genocide in Sudan
A bipartisan resolution is being introduced in the United States Senate that recognizes targeted violence committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militia against non-Arab ethnic communities in Darfur as acts of genocide.
Genocide is an internationally-recognized crime where acts are committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Confirming in a court of law that the crime of genocide has been committed requires meeting a very high legal threshold. In the case of Sudan, there is mounting evidence that RSF crimes in Darfur may meet this threshold and the resolution reflects that. We have posted the full text below. A summary of some key points can be found as well.
Resolution Summary
Senate Resolution 559 is titled A resolution recognizing the actions of the Rapid Support Forces and allied militia in the Darfur region of Sudan against non-Arab ethnic communities as acts of genocide. Actions on the resolution can be tracked here.
Congressional resolutions are statements about policy. While they do not have the force of law, they are still important. Resolutions can put pressure on the Biden Administration to adjust policy and raise awareness in the American public and global community.
This resolution gives an overview of crimes committed by the RSF within the context of the legal definition of genocide. From pages 5-6:
Whereas there is significant evidence of widespread, systematic actions against the non-Arab ethnic communities of Darfur, including the Masalit people, committed by the RSF and allied militia that meet one or more of the criteria under Article Il of the Genocide Convention, including-
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(1) killing members of the non-Arab ethnic communities in Darfur in mass killings of civilians, including summary executions in the streets and shootings of civilians fleeing across the Wadi Kaja river and to the Chad border, targeted killings of men and boys, targeted killings of Masalit leaders, and burials in mass graves;
(2) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of such communities, including through extrajudicial detention, torture and beatings, extortion, sexual and gender-based violence, mass rape, sexual slavery, and forced displacement; and
(3) deliberately inflicting on such communities conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction in whole or in part, including the annihilation of villages, targeted attacks on marketplaces and schools; widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and telecommunication, the looting of homes and hospitals, assaults on camps for displaced persons, the destruction of humanitarian facilities, the killing of aid workers, and restrictions on humanitarian aid and access…
The resolution goes on to condemn atrocities committed by the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces and calls for an immediate end to the war. It then urges the Biden Administration to take the following actions:
Step up international efforts to save lives by establishing civilian safe zones and humanitarian corridors.
Enforce the United Nation’s arms embargo on Darfur.
Broker a comprehensive ceasefire and disarmament of the warring parties.
Support efforts to document atrocities and genocidal acts and publicly release information to the greatest possible extent.
Identify mechanisms to fund community-based humanitarian efforts.
Regularly review and update the atrocities determination in Sudan.
Support tribunals and international criminal investigations to hold the RSF and their allied militias accountable.
Requests the Atrocity Prevention Task Force review its efforts to prevent, analyze, and respond to atrocities in Sudan.
Left to right: Senators Ben Cardin, Jim Risch, Cory Booker, and Tim Scott. (Official photos provided by Senate offices)
Cosponsor Statements
This bipartisan resolution is cosponsored by:
Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He says “The RSF and allied forces, under the leadership of Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo, have committed heinous atrocities in Darfur, including those the Secretary of State has called crimes against humanity, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing — some of which bear the hallmarks of genocide. This tragic repeat of history must not go unpunished. Hemedti and those who support his forces must be held accountable. I urge African leaders to act swiftly at this week’s African Union Summit to condemn these crimes and to come to an agreement on establishing a means to protect civilians from further atrocities. I continue to call on the Biden Administration to name a High Level Special Envoy to lead U.S. efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and to find a diplomatic solution going forward. The world must wake up to what is happening in Sudan, and work together urgently to put an end to this tragedy.”
Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He says, “For the last 10 months, the RSF have carried out unspeakable horrors in Sudan, including the elimination of non-Arab peoples in Darfur. Twenty years ago, the U.S. Congress was the first body to recognize the genocide in Darfur committed by the government of Sudan and its proxy Janjaweed militia. Tragically, history repeats itself and now we must do the same. The United States must do all it can to bring an end to the conflict in Sudan and the genocide in Darfur. This includes holding the belligerents accountable and supporting the needs of the Sudanese people and their efforts to lead their country.”
Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa. He says, “The conditions that enabled genocide in Sudan’s Darfur region nearly 20 years ago were never fully resolved, and the unfathomable horrors that have recently been committed there by the RSF and its allied militias against the Masalit and other ethnic minorities require us to speak out, demand justice and accountability for victims, and begin working towards a sustainable peace that ensures Sudanese civilians are at the center of any reconciliation process. The United States must engage at the highest levels to end the war, prevent further atrocities and suffering, and demand greater respect for human rights and unfettered humanitarian access.”
Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa. He says, “Civilians in Darfur are being raped and murdered in ruthless, ethnically targeted attacks by the RSF, and the Biden administration shamefully refuses to call these atrocities against an African minority what they are – genocide. We must stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves and shine a light on these horrific acts of terror.”
The crisis unfolding in Sudan is the most dangerous and destructive humanitarian catastrophe in the world. Nearly 25 million Sudanese —roughly half the country— are in need of some form of humanitarian assistance. 9 million people have been internally-displaced and nearly 1.5 million more have fled the country.
Our Sudanese partners are struggling as the war spreads and program costs skyrocket. Your generosity will help them bring lifesaving relief to those who have fled Darfur.
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$50 - Helps deliver basic medicines.
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A bipartisan resolution in the United States Senate that describes targeted violence committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against non-Arab ethnic communities in Darfur, Sudan as acts of genocide. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/senate-resolution-introduced-recognizing-genocide-in-sudan
"The RSF and allied forces, under the leadership of Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo, have committed heinous atrocities in Darfur...some of which bear the hallmarks of genocide." - Senator Ben Cardin https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/senate-resolution-introduced-recognizing-genocide-in-sudan
"The United States must do all it can to bring an end to the conflict in Sudan and the genocide in Darfur." - Senator Jim Risch https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/senate-resolution-introduced-recognizing-genocide-in-sudan
"The United States must engage at the highest levels to end the war, prevent further atrocities and suffering, and demand greater respect for human rights and unfettered humanitarian access." - Senator Cory Booker https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/senate-resolution-introduced-recognizing-genocide-in-sudan
“Civilians in Darfur are being raped and murdered in ruthless, ethnically targeted attacks by the RSF...We must stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves and shine a light on these horrific acts of terror.” - Senator Tim Scott https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/senate-resolution-introduced-recognizing-genocide-in-sudan
Senate Resolution 559: A resolution recognizing the actions of the Rapid Support Forces and allied militia in the Darfur region of Sudan against non-Arab ethnic communities as acts of genocide. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/senate-resolution-introduced-recognizing-genocide-in-sudan
