[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 118 (Monday, July 15, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H5789-H5793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONDEMNING ATTACKS ON PEACEFUL PROTESTERS AND SUPPORTING TRANSITION TO 
             A CIVILIAN-LED DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN SUDAN

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 432) condemning the attacks on peaceful protesters 
and supporting an immediate peaceful transition to a civilian-led 
democratic government in Sudan, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 432

       Whereas in 2016, the Government of the United States 
     launched a plan aimed at reducing conflict and expanding 
     humanitarian access in Sudan, improving counterterrorism 
     cooperation, ending Sudan's negative interference in South 
     Sudan, and addressing the threat of the Lord's Resistance 
     Army, that, according to the Department of State, led to 
     significant progress in these areas and resulted in the 
     lifting of some United States sanctions on Sudan in October 
     2017;
       Whereas the Department of State announced ``Phase II'' of 
     the bilateral reengagement framework with Sudan in November 
     2018, under which the United States would consider rescinding 
     Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism if the 
     country met the relevant statutory criteria for delisting and 
     if the Government of Sudan made progress along six identified 
     areas of concern related to counterterrorism cooperation, 
     humanitarian access, respect for human rights, a cessation of 
     internal hostilities and a conducive environment for peace 
     processes, efforts to address outstanding terrorism-related 
     legal claims, and adherence to United Nations Security 
     Council resolutions on North Korea;
       Whereas despite the Government of Sudan's pledge to cease 
     hostilities, the United Nations Panel of Experts on the Sudan 
     reported in January 2019 that forces of the Government of 
     Sudan had launched ``large-scale military operations'' 
     against insurgents in the Jebel Marra region of Darfur in 
     2018 and that elements of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces and 
     associated militia were implicated in indiscriminate 
     shootings, rape, acts of torture, and other inhumane 
     treatment of civilians;
       Whereas the Department of State's country reports on human 
     rights practices describe reports of serious human rights 
     violations by Sudan's intelligence service and military, 
     including the Rapid Support Forces, citing credible reports 
     that villages in Jebel Marra were targeted for attack in 
     2018, resulting in the displacement of thousands of civilians 
     and noting that Sudan's Rapid Support Forces were implicated 
     in the majority of reported human rights violations against 
     civilians in the country;
       Whereas contrary to the requirements of Phase II, 
     humanitarian organizations report that humanitarian access 
     restrictions have persisted, including bureaucratic 
     interference, and reports of serious human rights abuses and 
     media censorship increased after Phase II was launched;
       Whereas in December 2018, protests that began in Damazin 
     and Atbara spread across the country, with thousands of 
     Sudanese gathering to demand political change;
       Whereas the Sudanese authorities responded to the protests 
     by detaining hundreds of people, including protesters, 
     members of the political opposition, civil society, 
     journalists, and more than a dozen American citizens, and by 
     using excessive and lethal force against protesters;
       Whereas in late February 2019, President Bashir declared a 
     yearlong nationwide state of emergency, dissolving the 
     Federal and State governments and appointing senior military 
     officers to key government posts, banning unauthorized 
     gatherings, demonstrations, and strikes, expanding 
     authorization for searches, seizures, and arrests, and 
     barring news deemed to undermine his government;
       Whereas tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of protesters 
     gathered in Khartoum on April 6, 2019, calling for the end of 
     the government of President Bashir, and on April 11, 2019, he 
     was ousted from power by the military and replaced by Defense 
     Minister and First Vice President Lt. Gen. Ahmed Awad Ibn 
     Auf, who later ceded power to Military Inspector General and 
     Army Chief Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan;
       Whereas Lt. Gen. Burhan stated that his Transitional 
     Military Council is committed to transferring power to a 
     civilian government, but the Council has sought to maintain 
     the military's dominance in negotiations with opposition 
     representatives on a transitional arrangement;
       Whereas protesters maintained their vigil in Khartoum, 
     calling for the military to transfer power to a civilian-led 
     transitional authority that would end Sudan's civil wars, 
     address the country's economic crisis, and lay the 
     foundations for democratic elections;
       Whereas the Transitional Military Council has not met the 
     demands of the protesters and the African Union Peace and 
     Security Council to ``step aside and hand over power to a 
     civilian-led transitional authority, in accordance with the 
     will of the people and constitutional order'';
       Whereas on June 3rd, elements of Sudanese security forces, 
     led by the Rapid Support Forces, violently dispersed the sit-
     in of the protesters and killed over 100 people, with 
     hundreds more injured and reports of rape and other human 
     rights abuses committed;
       Whereas negotiations between the Transitional Military 
     Council and the opposition coalition, known as the Forces for 
     Freedom and Change, on the composition and powers of a 
     transitional government are complicated by the role of 
     individuals in the Military Council who have been accused of 
     war crimes, by the Council's insistence on Islamic Sharia law 
     as the basis for laws, and by security forces use of live 
     fire against protesters in the cities of Nyala, Zalingei, and 
     Khartoum, resulting in multiple deaths, during the talks; and
       Whereas in the Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act of 2004, 
     Congress expressed its sense that individuals found to be 
     involved in the planning or carrying out of genocide, war 
     crimes, or crimes against humanity should not hold leadership 
     positions in the Government of Sudan: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan and 
     strongly supports the right of the Sudanese people to 
     assemble peacefully and express their legitimate demands for 
     fundamental political change, including a democratic, 
     civilian-led government;
       (2) condemns the Government of Sudan's use of violence and 
     arbitrary detention against peaceful protesters and the 
     harassment and intimidation of medical professionals, 
     journalists, human rights defenders, political opposition, 
     and civil society actors;

[[Page H5790]]

       (3) strongly supports an immediate transfer of power by the 
     military to an inclusive, civilian-led government that 
     reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people and puts 
     Sudan on the path toward democracy and peace;
       (4) condemns efforts by regional actors to undermine 
     negotiations between the Military Council and the protesters, 
     including efforts to offer financial support to military 
     leaders;
       (5) encourages the African Union and its member states to 
     continue supporting the Sudanese people's aspirations for 
     democracy, justice, and peace;
       (6) urges the United States Government to continue efforts 
     to convene and work with the international community in 
     support of a civilian-led government in Sudan;
       (7) emphasizes that a more positive and productive 
     relationship between the United States and Sudan requires 
     meaningful political reform, greater accountability, and a 
     clear demonstration by the Government of Sudan of greater 
     respect for human rights;
       (8) calls upon Sudanese authorities to--
       (A) immediately cease attacks on protesters and civilians, 
     respect the right to freedom of association and expression, 
     and investigate protester deaths and pursue accountability 
     for serious crimes and human rights abuses that have occurred 
     in the past three decades;
       (B) protect the rights of political parties, journalists, 
     human rights defenders, religious minorities, and 
     nongovernmental organizations to operate without interference 
     and release political prisoners;
       (C) lift the bureaucratic restrictions on, and facilitate 
     unhindered access across the country for, humanitarian relief 
     operations;
       (D) introduce strong measures to create transparency and 
     address the structural corruption and kleptocracy of the 
     state;
       (E) meaningfully engage with opposition forces in Darfur, 
     Southern Kordofan, and Blue Nile with the aim of achieving a 
     just and sustainable peace; and
       (F) foster conditions for a viable transition to democracy, 
     economic stability, and sustainable peace and development; 
     and
       (9) calls upon the people of Sudan to work together to 
     resolve conflicts peacefully.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Engel) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 432.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, let me first thank Representatives Kildee, Bilirakis, 
and McGovern, our Speaker pro tempore, for their hard work on this 
measure. I was glad to join as an original cosponsor, as well.
  Sudan is at a critical moment, Mr. Speaker. Three months ago, when 
the Transitional Military Council, the TMC, seized power, one of my top 
concerns was when the reins will be turned over to civilian 
authorities. Despite the possibility of a breakthrough between the TMC 
and the Forces of Freedom and Change, the FFC, I remain concerned that 
Sudanese security forces intend to tighten their grip on power once 
again and even more. The sad fact is, for the overwhelming majority of 
its history since independence, Sudan has been ruled by military 
dictatorships.
  This group, the TMC, has shown the world who they really are, and it 
is not a pretty picture. On June 3, they turned on the peaceful 
prodemocracy movement, committing a brutal massacre at the movement's 
sit-in site.
  Following that atrocity, the TMC shut the internet down in a blatant 
attempt to slow the momentum of antigovernment protestors and kill the 
prodemocracy movement in its infancy.
  Now that internet access has slowly been restored, the world is 
getting its first glimpses of deeply disturbing images: Sudan's 
citizens being murdered, tortured, or raped in Khartoum and across the 
country last month.
  These troubling developments start to make sense when we look at the 
cast of characters involved. The deputy of the TMC, General Mohamed 
Hamdan ``Hemeti,'' leads the Rapid Support Forces. We know them as the 
Janjaweed, and we know that they have on their hands the blood of the 
Darfur genocide. Now, they are turning their violent tactics against 
the broader Sudanese population.
  These are the same thugs responsible for the repression and economic 
mismanagement that characterized Omar al-Bashir's three blood-soaked 
decades in power. He is gone, but they continue to drive the country 
into the ground.
  Thankfully, the Sudanese people are resilient. They continue to fight 
for their country's future, even in the face of violence and 
repression. Their civil society and diaspora networks have helped to 
shine a light on what the people in Sudan are enduring. They have had 
enough, and the United States and partners around the world need to 
have their backs.
  This resolution underscores Congress' desire to see a civilian-led 
transition in Sudan, a transition free from violence and bloodshed. It 
is a good resolution. I am glad the House is considering it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution condemning the 
attacks on peaceful protestors and supporting an immediate peaceful 
transition to a civilian-led democratic government in Sudan. I thank 
Congressman Kildee, Congressman Bilirakis, and Chairman Engel for their 
leadership on this issue.
  For months, thousands of Sudanese peacefully took to the streets to 
protest the brutal and oppressive dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir. In 
April, he was removed from office.
  I condemn the brutal attacks against peaceful protestors that took 
place on June 3. Over 120 people were killed, and hundreds more were 
wounded. The security forces responsible for carrying out and 
orchestrating these heinous attacks must be held accountable.
  While we are hopeful that the July 5 agreement on the composition of 
a transitional government will be officially signed and set into 
motion, there is still much more to be done to advance a true civilian-
led democracy. We cannot tolerate spoilers of this process, 
particularly those who look to support the status quo and the military 
regime in Khartoum.
  I support the diplomatic efforts of Special Envoy Booth and commend 
President Donald Trump's administration for convening high-level 
working groups to align other countries in supporting a peaceful and 
democratic future for Sudan. We must continue our engagement at the 
highest levels to stand with the Sudanese people and their struggle for 
freedom and democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Kildee), the author of this bill.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Mr. Engel, the chairman, 
for his leadership on this issue, and my friends Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. 
McCaul, Mr. Wilson, and, obviously, Mr. McGovern, who have been working 
on this with me, along with Congresswoman Bass.
  Congress cannot sit idly by while one nation kills its own people, 
blocks all communication to the outside world, and commits serious 
human rights violations. The people of Sudan, like all people, deserve 
the ability to determine their own future. They deserve a civilian-led 
democratic society. They deserve to not have to live in constant fear 
of violence.
  It is for these reasons that we offer this resolution to affirm the 
position of the United States Congress, despite views that we may 
differ on, on other matters, and that we come together, Democrats and 
Republicans, across the political spectrum to denounce the trampling of 
human rights that is taking place in Sudan, to call on the Transitional 
Military Council to immediately stop any violence against those 
civilian protestors, and to begin the immediate transition to a 
civilian-led government.

  The Sudanese people have a right to be free. They have a right to a 
democratic society. They have a right to not have to deal with the kind 
of oppression that they have experienced.
  This resolution also lays out some very clear areas where Sudan 
simply has to improve if it wants to have a

[[Page H5791]]

productive relationship with the U.S. I believe that the U.S. should be 
engaged with Sudan, but we have to insist that the Sudan that we engage 
with and that the Sudan that we work with is a nation that is led by 
its own people and not subjected to the horrific examples of 
persecution that we have seen.
  For three decades, the people of Sudan have suffered under terrible 
repression. Now that we have this moment where the page is turned, the 
worst thing would be to succeed one terrible period of oppression with 
another. That is why it is somewhat hopeful to see that there are some 
signs that some view as reason for optimism.
  We have to make sure that this transition to a civilian-led 
government is something that actually takes place and that we don't 
allow Sudan to simply go back to the kind of military-led repression 
that we saw under Bashir. That is completely unacceptable.
  While the situation is fluid, we have an opportunity to state with a 
very clear voice from the Congress of the United States, from the 
American people, to the people of Sudan and to the people of the world 
that the world is watching. We are paying attention to what takes 
place. We have a stake in the freedom of the people of Sudan.
  That is why we are speaking up with one voice today. I am honored to 
join with my colleagues, as I said, across the aisle and across the 
political spectrum to speak with one voice on this subject. Congress 
has a chance to make a difference on this. The people of the United 
States stand with the people of Sudan. We deserve better, and they 
deserve better.
  Mr. Speaker, I call on all of my colleagues to join us in this 
resolution and call for freedom and justice for the people of Sudan.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the primary Republican 
cosponsor of this measure.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Wilson for yielding. He is a 
great friend, as well as the chairman. I thank Chairman Engel for 
putting this on the floor. Of course, I thank my colead, Mr. Kildee.
  Sudan is at a critical juncture between choosing freedom and 
democracy or continuing with authoritarian oppression. This resolution 
today is a powerful message for the United States that we stand behind 
the civilian protestors and a civilian-led government.
  Yesterday's violence and the horrific brutality on June 3 proved that 
elements of the old regime are still alive and well, unfortunately. Bad 
actors within the military, such as the Rapid Support Forces, should be 
condemned for their actions and have no place in Sudan's future.
  The United States and the international community need to maintain 
pressure on the military council to cease all attacks on peaceful 
protestors and civilians and to respect their right to assemble 
peacefully. The Rapid Support Forces and other perpetrators of violence 
also need to be held accountable for their violent acts. These bad 
actors have no place in a peaceful and democratic Sudan.
  Again, I am proud to be the colead on this timely resolution with Mr. 
Kildee. I thank him for his leadership.
  One story that I like to tell is when I was in Sudan, in March, I met 
with a United States citizen who was a political prisoner there, 
detained since January 4, away from his four children and his wife. He 
went over to Sudan a few years ago to take care of his mother, his 
elderly mother, and I respect that tremendously. He allowed his 
brother, who also is a U.S. citizen, to come to the United States and 
practice medicine.
  Well, in any case, the gentleman was detained because he took his 
body to a peaceful rally, a peaceful protest, a democratic rally for 
democracy, and he was detained and put in jail. I met with him outside 
of jail and he told me his story. We demanded his release, and within a 
few days he was released, Mr. Speaker.
  Anyway, this just tells you that we have a voice here, as United 
States Members of Congress, and we need to use it for a good cause. 
This is definitely a good cause.

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to 
the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Bass), chairwoman of the Africa, 
Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations 
Subcommittee.
  Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly support H. Res. 432, 
condemning the attacks on the Sudanese people peacefully protesting 
their right to have a civilian-led democratic government in Sudan. The 
legislation emphasizes a positive and productive relationship between 
the United States and Sudan and demands significant political reforms 
and more accountability.
  The situation in Sudan escalated in December 2018 and has been 
unstable ever since. The Transitional Military Council used Sudanese 
security forces to shoot peaceful protesters, leaving bodies in the 
Nile River. They shut down the internet for a month to try and 
disparage citizens from a united front and blocked journalists from 
doing their jobs, a clear violation of the freedom of the press.
  The people of Sudan have the right to assemble and demand that the 
Sudanese security forces negotiate without being killed or wounded. The 
international community and its partners must continue to demand that 
the security forces stop assaulting their own citizens and adhere to 
the July 5 agreement.
  The recent attempted coup was a ploy to try and deter the agreement, 
and the Transitional Military Council nor the civilian-led faction must 
deviate from this process. This agreement is too important, and the 
future of Sudan is at stake.
  The agreement would potentially end months of atrocities and gross 
human rights abuses that have destabilized the country. The negotiated 
deal would have five Military Council members, five civilian members, 
and one civilian member chosen by both parties. The military member 
would lead the council for the first 21 months and then transition into 
a civilian-led council thereafter. This is a step in the right 
direction because both the Transitional Military Council and civilian-
led groups negotiated the settlement.
  I am also calling on the Sudanese Traditional Military Council to 
immediately open up the internet because it was a clear violation of 
the freedom of the press. Journalists must also be able to do their 
jobs and report and write on stories without being intimidated or 
physically harmed.
  I support this resolution because it encourages the rights and 
freedoms of all Sudanese people and their right to peacefully protest 
and assemble and their right to a civilian-led government.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), the chairman of the Rules Committee and 
one of the most vocal Members on Sudan in Congress. He has done great 
work for many years.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor, I rise in 
support of H. Res. 432, and I want to commend my good friend and 
colleague, Mr. Kildee, for his leadership on this issue. I also want to 
commend the incredible work of Chairman Engel for all he has done on 
this issue, as well as Chairwoman Bass and Mr. Bilirakis and others 
here.
  Mr. Speaker, I am here today to express my unwavering support for the 
people of Sudan in their long-held desire to live in a democratic 
nation, a nation where all the Sudanese people live in dignity and 
where their rights and freedoms are respected and protected.
  For three decades, the people of Sudan have suffered under the 
brutal, genocidal regime of Omar al-Bashir. They were murdered, 
mutilated, bombed, starved, imprisoned, tortured, and raped by Bashir's 
army, air force, police, intelligence unit, and paramilitary allies, 
formerly known as the Janjaweed and now organized as the Sudanese Rapid 
Support Forces.
  Villages were burned to the ground, churches destroyed, radio 
stations and the press shut down, protests violently repressed, and 
food and medicine denied to populations at risk.
  Last December, the people of Sudan rose up in massive protests across 
the

[[Page H5792]]

country and said: Enough. No more. The time for change is now.
  On April 11, Bashir was removed from office by the Sudanese military. 
But instead of turning the government over to the civilian-led council, 
they took power for themselves.
  On May 16, 92 Members of Congress sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter 
to the administration expressing support for a civilian-led transition 
in Sudan and concern about the military's escalating violence against 
the peaceful protesters, which I include in the Record.

                                Congress of the United States,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2019.
     Hon. Mike Pompeo,
     Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State,
     Washington, DC.
     Steven Mnuchin,
     Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Mnuchin: We write to 
     express our deep concern about the current situation in Sudan 
     and our support for a rapid transfer of power to a civilian-
     led transitional government committed to laying the 
     foundations for democracy in the country. This is a critical 
     moment for Sudan, one that came about because the Sudanese 
     people took to the streets to demand it. It is also critical 
     for the United States to support Sudanese citizen's demands 
     for real democratic change.
       We welcome the April 18th statement by the State Department 
     supporting ``a transition to a peaceful and democratic Sudan 
     led by civilians who represent the diversity of Sudanese 
     society,'' and expressing support for the ``will of the 
     Sudanese people'' for ``a transitional government that is 
     inclusive and respectful of human rights and the rule of 
     law.'' We appreciate the efforts of the Africa Bureau to 
     update congressional offices about the changing situation in 
     Sudan. We also acknowledge the African Union's condemnation 
     of the military takeover as a coup d'etat and its demand that 
     the military ``step aside and hand over power to a 
     transitional civilian-led political authority, in accordance 
     with the will of the people'' by June 3rd. We also welcome 
     U.S. efforts to bring together like-minded nations and donors 
     to emphasize international support for a civilian-led 
     transition.
       The military leadership who have taken power are attempting 
     to create the appearance of change, but elements and 
     structures of the old regime remain. The Transitional 
     Military Council (TMC) does not meet the aspirations so 
     clearly articulated by months of peaceful pro-democracy 
     protests that demanded an inclusive, civilian-led democratic 
     change. A government dominated by the military is not the 
     goal of the Sudanese people and the longer the protestors' 
     demands remain unfulfilled, there is increased probability of 
     conflict like the violence against protestors, deaths and 
     injuries that occurred this week.
       We support your decision to continue Sudan's designation as 
     a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) and to suspend Phase II 
     discussions. Congress also has a role to play in law 
     regarding changes to Sudan's status as a state sponsor of 
     terrorism. We encourage close consultation with and the 
     consent of Congress should the Administration seek to alter 
     the SST designation or provide further economic relief to 
     Sudan, actions which at the current moment would be 
     inappropriate and premature. We understand that rapidly 
     changing events on the ground might require a corresponding 
     change in U.S. policy and we are ready to work as equal 
     partners in decisions that advance civilian democratic 
     governance, respect for human rights, including religious 
     freedom, and rule of law.
       The United States must send a clear message that the path 
     to international credibility and American partnership will 
     only come through credible civilian leadership. We encourage 
     you to use all mechanisms and leverage to facilitate, as 
     quickly as possible, an inclusive civilian-led transition to 
     democratic governance. The United States should make clear to 
     foreign governments that have expressed support for the TMC 
     that a civilian transition that reflects the will of the 
     Sudanese people is nonnegotiable.
       In this regard, we are dismayed by the announcement from 
     the Governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates 
     (UAE) that they intend to provide Sudan with $3 billion in 
     budget support and aid. We urge you to use all appropriate 
     diplomatic and political channels to discourage such a 
     transfer of funds. If funds are disbursed, this will likely 
     encourage the TMC to delay a civilian-led transition.
       The Sudanese people will rightly determine matters of 
     justice regarding the crimes of the previous regime, given 
     the millions of people who suffered and perished under its 
     deliberate and repressive actions. It is important for you, 
     Mr. Secretaries, to emphasize that former President Bashir 
     and other officials and military officers of his regime are 
     internationally indicted for war crimes, crimes against 
     humanity and the crime of genocide. It is an urgent matter of 
     international law that they face trial and judgement on these 
     charges.
       There are additional actions that we strongly encourage you 
     to take in your respective capacities as Secretary of State 
     and Secretary of the Treasury:
       When a civilian-led transitional council is established--
     one supported by the pro-democracy movement and the Sudanese 
     people--it is vital that the United States press for 
     unimpeded access by international humanitarian aid agencies 
     so that they may finally deliver, without interference or 
     conditions, emergency relief to populations in conflict areas 
     such as South Kordofan, Blue Nile and northern Darfur. We 
     understand this is also a current priority for the U.S. and 
     other aid donors, but unobstructed delivery of humanitarian 
     aid to these regions is likely to remain stalled until 
     inclusive civilian rule is established.
       To support and increase the capacity of civilian leadership 
     and civil society, the United States should provide 
     transitional civilian authorities and entities with technical 
     and capacity-building assistance.
       The United States, in consultation with Congress, should 
     signal its willingness to engage with and support 
     international financial institutions in aiding Sudan once 
     civilian-led transitional authorities are in place and 
     functioning.
       The State Department should not issue visas to any Sudanese 
     official to travel to the United States until credible 
     civilian-led government is in place and functioning 
     independently. Nor should any Sudanese or TMC official be 
     issued a visa who has been internationally indicted, or who 
     might be subject to justice in Sudan for war crimes, crimes 
     against humanity or genocide.
       Treasury, in consultation with the State Department and 
     relevant congressional committees, should continue to use the 
     sanctions authorities provided under the Global Magnitsky 
     program to target key Sudanese individuals, officials, 
     entities and networks.
       Recognizing Sudan's extensive corruption, money-laundering 
     operations and theft of state resources, it is critical for 
     the United State to provide leadership on preventing funds 
     from being moved out of the country during this period when 
     the former Bashir regime is being pushed aside but current 
     regime structures remain in place. The Treasury Department 
     should issue public advisories to banks and other financial 
     institutions regarding the risk of such capital flight and 
     other high-risk transactions from Sudan, such as the gold 
     trade. This would be an action like the one taken by Treasury 
     in 2014 related to Ukraine. It is also critical that the 
     Treasury Department continue to track and respond 
     aggressively to similar transfers of funds that occurred 
     prior to Bashir's downfall.
       Thank you for your attention to these urgent concerns and 
     recommendations. We look forward to working together and 
     developing a new policy framework consistent with American 
     values and the aspirations of the Sudanese people.
           Sincerely,
         James P. McGovern; Ann Wagner; Karen Bass; Jeffrey A. 
           Merkley; Todd Young; Christopher H. Smith; Chris Van 
           Hollen; Tina Smith; Gary C. Peters; Roger F. Wicker; 
           Richard J. Durbin; Richard Blumenthal; Elizabeth 
           Warren.
         Eliot L. Engel; Barbara Lee; Adam B. Schiff; Nita M. 
           Lowey; Frank Pallone, Jr.; Maxine Waters; Zoe Lofgren; 
           Raul M. Grijalva; Michael T. McCaul; Gus M. Bilirakis; 
           Barry Loudermilk; Steve Watkins, Mark Meadows; Elijah 
           E. Cummings; John A. Yarmuth; John Lewis.
         Naydia M. Velazquez; David Trone; Chellie Pingree; Gwen 
           S. Moore; Gregory W. Meeks; Yvette D. Clarke; Jan 
           Schakowsky; Donald M. Payne, Jr.; Peter A. DeFazio; 
           Eleanor Holmes Norton; Sheila Jackson Lee; Grace Meng; 
           Jared Huffman; Bonnie Watson Coleman; Federica S. 
           Wilson; Joaquin Castro.
         Earl Blumenauer; Mike Doyle; Pramila Jayapal; Jim Costa; 
           David N. Cicilline; Suzanne Bonamici; Steve Cohen; 
           Ilhan Omar; Jamie Raskin; Bobby L. Rush; Mark Pocan; 
           Daniel T. Kildee; Andy Levin; Seth Moulton; Chrissy 
           Houlahan; Jennifer Wexton.
         Jose E. Serrano; Donald S. Beyer, Jr.; Alan S. Lowenthal; 
           Darren Soto; Val Butler Demings; Henry C. ``Hank'' 
           Johnson, Jr.; Stephen F. Lynch; Ruben Gallego; Anna G. 
           Eshoo; Emanuel Cleaver, II; Peter Welch; Albio Sires; 
           Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.; Andre Carson; Lori Trahan; Mark 
           DeSaulnier.
         Paul D. Tonko; Danny K. Davis; Ron Kind; Ro Khanna; Rosa 
           L. DeLauro; Ann McLane Kuster; William R. Keating; 
           Adriano Espaillat; Katherine M. Clark; Brian Higgins; 
           Richard E. Neal; Joseph P. Kennedy, III; Eddie Bernice 
           Johnson; Ayanna Pressley; Norma J. Torres.

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, we had good reason to be concerned. Just 2 
weeks later, in a clear demonstration of how little has changed, the 
Sudanese police and RSF, under the leadership of the Transitional 
Military Council's second in command, General Hemeti violently attacked 
the unarmed protesters, killing, wounding, and raping hundreds.
  In an act of great cowardice and complicity, the Sudanese military 
chose to withdraw from the scene or stood by and watched the attack, 
doing nothing to protect the people. The Transitional Military Council 
then shut down the internet so information about the massacre couldn't 
come out. Last week,

[[Page H5793]]

they were forced to restore the internet, and the world has now seen 
hundreds of videos documenting this heinous crime.
  On Saturday, thousands demonstrated to mark the 40 days since the 
deadly crackdown. Right now, African mediators are attempting to broker 
the details of a power-sharing agreement between the forces of freedom 
and change people's alliance in the Transitional Military Council.
  I hope that they are successful in reaching a deal that guarantees a 
genuine civilian-led transition and democratic governance, but I don't 
want to see the civilian-led democratic reform movement undermined and 
forced to accept a bad deal, one where power and the corrupt and brutal 
structures of the former regime remain under military control.
  Mr. Speaker, like so many of my colleagues, I have been engaged on 
the issue of Sudan for nearly 15 years. On April 28, 2006, I led 
Members of Congress, religious, and NGO leaders in an act of civil 
disobedience at the Sudanese Embassy to highlight the atrocities taking 
place in Darfur. It was my first of three such direct actions.
  On May 1 of that year, I joined over 50 of those people on The 
National Mall to protest the genocide in Darfur. I took my young son 
and daughter to see how people from all walks of life came together in 
solidarity with the people of Sudan and demanded action.
  Mr. Speaker, my children are now grown and in college, so I am not 
exaggerating when I say that what we are seeing happening today in 
Sudan is a once-in-a-generation moment for the people of Sudan. We 
cannot be silent.
  Along with all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I want 
the people of Sudan to know that we stand with them, that we have 
always stood with them, and I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 1\1/2\ minutes 
to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Jayapal), the co-chair of the 
Progressive Caucus.
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 432, a 
very important resolution that condemns the attacks on peaceful 
protesters and supports an immediate, peaceful transition to a 
civilian-led democratic government in Sudan.
  I am so incredibly inspired by the people of Sudan who organized 
peacefully and adhered consistently to a nonviolent strategy of protest 
in order to achieve a democratic future for their country.
  I especially want to call attention to the Sudanese women, who played 
an outsized role in holding strong in the face of violence, danger, and 
even death. In the words of Andrew Gilmour, the Assistant Secretary-
General for human rights at OHCHR:
  What the world has seen in the past month and still now will go down 
in history as the greatest mass nonviolent movement of our generation.
  Because of this nonviolent people's movement that refused to accept 
no for an answer, even in the face of brutal and barbaric violence from 
government-linked militias, the people of Sudan have achieved a real 
opportunity for peace. Just last week, civilian leaders and the 
Transitional Military Council reached an agreement where they will 
share power to pursue a democratic future.
  In order for that peaceful transition to work, there must also be 
justice for those who were killed in the June 3 massacre through an 
independent investigation with real consequences for the perpetrators, 
along with true civilian oversight of the security forces.
  I am heartbroken for every life that was lost, but I am also deeply 
hopeful because we have seen the shining light of courage, resilience, 
and commitment to nonviolent resistance movements and to the 
possibilities they bring for lasting peace. The United States must 
stand with the people of Sudan and do everything in our power to help 
achieve that peace and stability.
  And, finally, Mr. Speaker, I just want to recognize a very important 
person in my home State of Washington, Mubarak Elamin, who has been 
with me on this issue of Sudan, his birth country, in making sure that 
we have all the information we need.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to thank my colleagues for offering 
this timely resolution to condemn the brutal attacks on peaceful 
protesters and stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan.
  The United States must continue our efforts to support a civilian-led 
democratic government in Sudan and take action against those who wish 
to undermine the will of the Sudanese people.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for 
the purpose of closing.
  Mr. Speaker, I again want to thank Mr. Kildee, Mr. Bilirakis, and, of 
course the Speaker pro tempore, Mr. McGovern.
  What happens in Sudan in the coming weeks and months is a high 
priority for the United States. It is in our national security interest 
to support a peaceful, civilian-led political transition in Sudan and 
is consistent with our values to support the democratic aspirations of 
a people who have suffered under a brutal, violent rule for so long.
  I urge all Members to join me in supporting this important 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 
432, a resolution ``Condemning the attacks on peaceful protesters and 
supporting an immediate peaceful transition to a civilian-led 
democratic government in Sudan.''
  H. Res. 432 is a bipartisan resolution calling on the Sudanese 
government to transition power to a civilian led government, to respect 
democratic principles, and to end all violence against its citizens.
  Since the ousting of President Al-Bashir on April 11, 2019 the 
Transitional Military Council (TMC) has seized power halting the 
proposed transition to a representative democracy.
  On June 3, 2019 multiple peaceful protesters were killed in Sudan as 
the Sudanese government continues to perpetuate violence against its 
own people.
  Protests in Sudan continue, however, as the Sudanese people call for 
a transition from a military ruling council to true democratic 
governance.
  It is critical for the United States Congress to stand with the women 
and men advocating and speaking up for the Sudanese people.
  I applaud the efforts and sacrifices pro-democracy activists have 
made and they ought to know that the United States fully supports their 
desire for freedom and peace, and strongly condemns the violent and 
oppressive tactics of the Transitional Military Council.
  When enacted, H. Res. 432 will lay out areas where the Sudanese 
government must improve if it wants to continue a productive engagement 
with the United States, including political reform and a respect for 
human rights.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 
432 to confront these atrocities we have seen in Sudan which pose a 
strong threat the democratic values we work to protect.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. McGovern). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 432, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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