Calling on China to Use its Leverage to Stop Genocide in Darfur
On June 5, 2007, the House passed a resolution calling on the government of the People’s Republic of China to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan, H.Res. 422.
The resolution calls on China to condemn the violence in Darfur, and end economic and military assistance to Sudan until Sudan engages in peace negotiations. It sends a clear message that China needs to join the international community in working to end this genocide.
The government of China has long-standing economic and military ties with Sudan, which it continues to strengthen in spite of the on-going genocide in Darfur. For example, China purchases at least 70 percent of Sudan’s oil and has reportedly cancelled approximately $100 million in debt owed by the Sudanese government. China also recently provided funds for a presidential palace in Sudan at a reported cost of approximately $20 million. Amnesty International recently reported that China and Russia are selling weapons to Sudan that are used in violence in Darfur.
This measure calls on China to urge Sudan to allow the entry of the U.N. sanctioned peacekeeping force and to comply with U.N. resolutions demanding that the Government of Sudan disarm militias operating in Darfur. It also calls on China to join the international community in threatening sanctions on the Sudanese government if it continues to carry out or support attacks on innocent civilians or to frustrate diplomatic efforts to end the violence.
This resolution comes as China gets ready to host the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing. The measure recognizes the spirit of the Olympics, which is to bring together nations from around the globe in a peaceful way. This spirit is incompatible with any actions supporting acts of genocide.