[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       STAND FIRM VIGIL FOR SUDAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2002

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of deep concern over the 
continued attacks by the Khartoum regime in Sudan against innocent 
civilians. Recent reports indicate that the Government of Sudan, 
despite agreeing to a peace proposal, bombed the town of Lui--why would 
they bomb a town that has only a school, hospital and church and no 
military installations? This recent incident shows the real intentions 
of the Khartoum regime.
  Christians, Muslims and others have suffered terribly under the 
Khartoum regime--it is time that this suffering comes to an end. 
Reports are clear that the Khartoum regime has violated numerous 
international human rights norms: they enslave women and children, 
divert food aid, bomb schools, hospitals and churches, force religious 
conversions, and forcibly ``re-educate'' citizens.
  The story of Mr. Francis Bok of Southern Sudan reflects the reality 
of life for many of Sudan's children. At the age of seven, Mr. Bok was 
captured and enslaved during an Arab militia raid on the village of 
Nimlal. For ten years, he lived as the family slave to Giema Abdullah 
and was forced to sleep with cattle, endure daily beatings, and eat 
rotten food. Tragically, slavery still exists today.
  Mr. Speaker, there is a constant flow of reports out of Sudan which 
describe the horrors of life for the people, particularly those from 
the South, under the Khartoum regime. Our nation, and the international 
community must stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan and offer 
concrete, practical ways to alleviate their suffering and bring peace. 
We must act to bring an end once and for all to the civil war and 
deliberate genocide in Sudan. The recent peace agreements are a step 
forward, yet Khartoum already has violated the agreements.
  This week, a number of organizations, led by the Institute on 
Religion and Democracy (IRD), are staging a Stand Firm Vigil for Sudan. 
I commend IRD, Christian Solidarity International (CSI), the American 
Anti-Slavery Group, Servant's Heart Ministry for Sudan and others for 
their tireless work on behalf of the suffering people of Sudan. I stand 
with you and with the freedom-loving people of Sudan.

                          ____________________