H.Res. 1588

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the importance of the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to help ensure peace and stability in Sudan during and after mandated referenda.

Sponsor	Rep. Capuano, Michael E.
Committee	Foreign Affairs
Date	September 28, 2010 (111th Congress, 2nd Session)
Staff Contact	Ben Howard

H.Res. 1588 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, under a motion to suspend the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA) on July 30, 2010.

H.Res. 1588 would resolve that it is the sense of the House of Representatives the United States Government should:

• “Work with Sudanese parties and regional and international partners to build consensus on the steps needed to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), including the upcoming referenda, and promote stability throughout Sudan;
• “Engage Sudanese and international partners to correct serious and systemic problems in the election process to ensure that they do not reoccur during the referenda campaign and voting processes, including irregularities in voter registration, logistical and procedural challenges, poor voter education, human rights infringements, intimidation, and violence;
• “Work with Sudanese and international partners to ensure that the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) implement procedures whereby the referenda occur as scheduled, including appointing competent and credible members to the referenda commissions and providing technical assistance to and funding for the commissions;
• “Work with the United Nations Mission in Sudan to ensure security during and after the referenda campaign and voting processes, which will require a robust monitoring and protection presence in areas prone to conflict;
• “Take concrete steps through the contribution of resources, technical expertise, and direct engagement with the parties to the peace agreement to ensure—
  • “International monitoring and observation of registration and polling to guarantee a secure environment for individual registration and voting, and to prevent voter intimidation or fraud occurring during these critical phases of the referenda;
  • “That the Government of National Unity (GNU), as required by the CPA, provides adequate funding at predetermined levels and timelines for the registration and polling periods, given the need to ensure that those who register are able to access polling stations on voting day; and
  • “That members of the international community commit adequate resources and technical expertise to carry out the referenda and voter education programs in southern Sudan, Abyei, and other areas where people will vote in the referenda to promote understanding of the nature, importance of participation, and consequences of the referenda process;
• “Work with international and Sudanese partners to ensure—
  • “The right of return of Sudanese refugees and displaced persons, including Darfur is and southerners, by providing assistance and safe passage to all such persons; and
  • “That the citizenship rights of southerners in the north and northerners in the south are respected and are in accordance with international standards should the south vote for independence;
• “Work with international partners to ensure a stable north-south border and a permanent peace in Sudan, utilizing policy options if parties fail to honor the CPA, especially as it relates to border demarcation pre-referenda;
• “Utilize diplomats and experts to support the African Union and United Nations-led negotiations over the post-referendum issues, including working with international partners to engage the NCP and SPLM to make necessary arrangements for a post-2011 peaceful transition, with specific focus on oil and revenue sharing, citizenship, return of refugees and displaced persons, security arrangements along the border, and protection of the rights of minorities, particularly the religious and ethnic minorities historically marginalized;
• “Take concrete steps through the contribution of resources, technical expertise, and direct engagement with the NCP and SPLM to support the popular consultation processes in Southern Kordofan State and Blue Nile State, including through provision of technical assistance and support for public education;
• “Utilize diplomats and experts to revitalize the Darfur Peace Process and press the NCP, northern political parties, armed rebel movements, and civil society representatives to address human rights abuses (including gender-based violence) and the ongoing atrocities and displacement in Darfur;
• “Undertake renewed efforts to implement the Administration's stated Sudan policy of October 2009, including publicly articulating the benchmarks and related incentives and pressures used by the Administration to gauge progress or backsliding on key provisions of the CPA, including the holding of a free and fair referendum in southern Sudan;
• “Hold the NCP accountable for its actions given the NCP's human rights violations and efforts to impede CPA implementation since the announcement of the United States Sudan policy, and the need for the United States to both balance incentives with pressures, by—
  • “Identifying NCP government agencies and officials responsible for particularly severe human rights and religious freedom violations as required under section 402b(2) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA), and prohibit those individuals identified under section 402b(2) of IRFA from entry into the United States;
  • “Encouraging multilateral asset freezes on NCP government agencies and travel bans on officials responsible for particularly severe human rights and religious freedom violations;
  • “Continuing to encourage greater multilateral enforcement of the arms embargo set out in the 2004 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1556 and strengthened in the 2005 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1591;
  • “Continuing to encourage multilateral support of the International Criminal Court case against President Bashir and other Sudanese officials accused of genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity, recognizing that justice is essential for there to be lasting peace; and
  • “Vigorously advocating for any humanitarian organizations that come under pressure from Khartoum or are at any point expelled from the country, thereby compromising their ability to provide vital services;
• “Provide technical assistance and expertise to the Government of Southern Sudan to develop its economic, rule of law, and social service and educational infrastructures, improve democratic accountability and human rights, and strengthen reconciliation efforts; and
• “Unequivocally stand, during this period of preparation and possible transition, with those people of southern Sudan who share aspirations for a peaceful, prosperous and democratic future.”