Saint Mark's Episcopal Church
Antioch, Tennessee
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[your name and address]
[Date]
Ambassador Anne Patterson
United States Mission to the
United Nations
140 East 45th Street
New York, N.Y. 10017
Subject: Urgent Action Needed to Alleviate Suffering in Darfur
Dear Ambassador Patterson:
I am deeply concerned about the tragic events currently unfolding in Darfur, Sudan. I believe that the United States must do everything possible to end the genocide and provide humanitarian relief to the two million people who are affected by this crisis.
I therefore urge you to secure a United Nations Security Council resolution to:
- Give the African Union Mission in Sudan authority under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to protect civilians.
- Press the Sudanese government to comply with Resolutions 1564 and 1556 by disarming and prosecuting the Janjaweed militia and all violators of human rights.
- Refer prosecution to the International Criminal Court. If the United States cannot support a referral to the ICC of the situation in Darfur, it should abstain, not veto referral. Please recall that while the United States indicated that it would not be bound by the objectives and purposes of the Rome Treaty in May 2002, U.S. officials stated “we will not attack, seek to undermine or wage war against the ICC.”
-Demand that the Sudanese government halt the forced relocation of civilians and provide the conditions for their safe and voluntary return.
- Impose an arms embargo on the Government of Sudan and implement economic and travel sanctions against key individuals.
- Contribute generously and swiftly to fulfill the UN’s humanitarian appeal and to provide logistical and financial support for the African Union force.
Thank you for your immediate attention.
Sincerely,
[your signature and address]