No Green Until They Come Clean

Historic Proposal Protests Genocide & Terrorism in The Sudan

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Groundbreaking legislation sponsored by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-16) and State Representative Lou Jones (D-26) suspending state investment in companies doing business in the Republic of the Sudan has been signed into law by Governor Rod Blagojevich. The measure passed the General Assembly with wide bi-partisan support in May.

The first of its kind in the nation to pressure the Sudanese government to end its policies of genocide and terrorism in Darfur, Senate Bill 23 prohibits the State Treasurer from depositing funds or contracting with any financial institution doing business in the Sudan. The bill also prohibits State retirement systems and pension funds from loaning or investing in any company that invests in or does business with the African nation. Presently, two of the state’s five pension systems have approximately $1 billion invested in 32 companies doing business in Sudan.

“This legislation hits the Sudanese government where it counts, in the pocketbook,” Sen. Collins said. “We are bringing the pressure to bear on an unjust and malicious government to end its policy of genocide and terrorism. Hopefully, our actions will be the pebble that starts an avalanche of reform.”

Since February 2003 more than 300,000 people have been killed in the Darfur region of Sudan during attacks by nomad militias, known as the Janjaweed, who have been armed, paid and supported by the Sudanese Government, which insists that the killings are the result of tribal chaos in the region. However, observers in Darfur say the government has been arming and directing the Janjaweed militia.

Vast parts of Darfur have been emptied of its population. At least 2 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the conflict began. Their villages have been burned while herds and other possessions have been looted. Thousands of women have been raped and children have been killed.

“The U.S. government has already determined that Sudan is a terrorist sponsoring nation, which is another reason why this legislation is so important and why we must push for divestment,” Rep. Jones said. “What we need now are more states and organizations to join us in our efforts.”

Currently, federal law prohibits U.S. companies from directly doing business with companies in the Sudan. Senate Bill 23 goes a step further by targeting investments in foreign companies that do business in Sudan.

The bill places responsibility on financial institutions and fund managing companies by requiring a certificate stating that they are not engaged with any company forbidden from doing business in the Sudan. She noted, however, that her bill exempts companies certified as Non-Government Organizations by the United Nations or ones that are engaged solely in providing goods and services for relieving human suffering or to promote welfare, health, religious and spiritual activities, and education for humanitarian purposes.

Source: www.sudanactivism.com, 06/25/2005

A hip hip hoo also goes out to Stanford University, an amazing institution that has also divested from Sudan.