[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1011 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                           May 5, 2008.
Whereas since independence in 1960, Chad's political life has been afflicted by 
        a series of internal conflicts and civil wars as well as conflicts with 
        its neighbors;
Whereas Chad has held several legislative and presidential multiparty elections 
        since 1996, although the Department of State reported that the elections 
        were ``orderly, but seriously flawed'';
Whereas human rights groups and the most recent Department of State Country 
        Reports on Human Rights Practices stated that ``the [Chadian] 
        government's poor human rights record deteriorated further'';
Whereas the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, continues to affect neighboring 
        countries, especially Chad;
Whereas the United Nations estimates there are more than 240,000 refugees from 
        Darfur and 52,000 refugees from the Central African Republic in Chad, 
        and more than 180,000 Chadians have been displaced from their homes;
Whereas more than 12,000 new refugees from Darfur arrived in Chad in February 
        2008 due to increasing attacks against civilians by Sudanese Government 
        forces, even as 30,000 Chadians were forced to flee the N'Djamena area 
        to seek refuge in Cameroon;
Whereas the Government of Chad has provided important support to the many 
        refugees from Darfur and the Central African Republic in Chad, despite 
        serious economic and political difficulties;
Whereas the United States considers the Government of Chad an important ally in 
        the war against terrorism;
Whereas a December 2007 report by the United Nations Secretary General stated 
        that ``the security situation in eastern Chad has remained volatile and 
        unpredictable [and t]he renewed violence has put the civilian population 
        living in the area at increased risk and will further impede the work of 
        the humanitarian community'';
Whereas an armed rebellion in Chad, supported by the Government of Sudan, has 
        led to a serious humanitarian crisis and political instability in Chad;
Whereas on September 25, 2007, the United Nations Security Council passed 
        Security Council Resolution 1778, authorizing a multidimensional 
        presence intended to help create the security conditions conducive to a 
        voluntary, secure, and sustainable return of internally displaced 
        persons and refugees by contributing to their protection, both by 
        facilitating the provision of humanitarian assistance in eastern Chad 
        and the northern region of the Central African Republic and by creating 
        favorable conditions for the reconstruction and economic and social 
        development of those areas;
Whereas on October 15 and 16, 2007, the Council of the European Union agreed to 
        deploy the military component of the multidimensional presence in the 
        Central African Republic and Chad for a period of 1 year from the date 
        that its initial operational capability is declared;
Whereas in late 2007, the Government of Sudan reportedly gathered several 
        Chadian armed groups in Khartoum in order to bring the armed factions 
        under one coalition for the February 2008 offensive;
Whereas in early February 2008, Chadian rebels armed and supported by the 
        Sudanese Government's armed forces launched a major offensive in Chad's 
        capital, N'Djamena, to overthrow the government of President Idriss Deby 
        Itno;
Whereas in late February, the United Nations reported that the European Union 
        Force began deployment to Chad and that an estimated 400 personnel have 
        been deployed as of late February 2008;
Whereas the United States, the European Union, and the African Union condemn the 
        fighting in Chad and the foreign support for the rebellion; and
Whereas the Department of State issued a press release condemning ``the attempt 
        by armed rebels entering from outside the country to seize power extra-
        constitutionally in Chad'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses concern about the safety and well-being of innocent 
        civilians in Chad, Chadian refugees and Internally Displaced Persons 
        (IDPs), and refugees from Darfur and the Central African Republic that 
        have taken refuge in Chad;
            (2) strongly condemns Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and the 
        National Congress Party for their support of the armed rebellion and 
        aggressive behavior in Chad and throughout the region;
            (3) calls on parties to seek a negotiated settlement;
            (4) urges the Government of Chad to--
                    (A) engage in an inclusive national dialogue with all 
                stakeholders of the current conflict to reach a comprehensive 
                agreement that would address the root causes of the Chadian 
                crisis and strengthen democratic institutions;
                    (B) protect its civilians from violence and respect and 
                enforce the rule of law in accordance with international norms 
                and standards; and
                    (C) honor its May 9, 2007, agreement with the United Nations 
                Children's Fund, ensuring its commitment to end all recruitment 
                of persons under the age of 18 and demobilize all children under 
                the age of 18 from its security forces;
            (5) urges the Government of the Central African Republic to--
                    (A) fulfill its obligation under international law to 
                protect civilians; and
                    (B) engage in constructive and inclusive dialogue with 
                opposition and armed groups;
            (6) calls on armed opposition groups to--
                    (A) renounce violence and respect the rule of law;
                    (B) engage in political dialogue to resolve the current 
                crisis in their respective countries; and
                    (C) immediately end cooperation with the Government of Sudan 
                and others that encourage and support armed rebellion;
            (7) urges the United Nations Security Council to remain focused on 
        the crises in Chad and the Central African Republic, and to ensure the 
        effective and impartial protection of civilians, including internally 
        displaced persons and refugees, particularly local populations, by 
        preempting, preventing, and deterring attacks on civilians; and
            (8) calls on the President to--
                    (A) continue United States humanitarian assistance to the 
                refugees and internally displaced persons in Chad and the 
                Central African Republic;
                    (B) provide support to strengthen democratic institutions 
                and respect for human rights and rule of law; and
                    (C) seek punitive measures against the Government of Sudan 
                by the United Nations Security Council for its aggression and 
                destructive activities in Chad and the region.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.