Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) brought concern over next month’s Sudanese elections to the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday. As a ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, she drew attention to the promise of democratic transformation offered by Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which hasn’t come to pass in the five years since the peace deal was signed. Referring to the upcoming elections as a “sham,” the congresswoman stressed the importance of bringing to justice Sudan’s president, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes in Darfur. She said:
“These elections are a sham – hijacked to legitimize the rule of a reprehensible, murderous regime. Responsible nations must work to ensure Sudan’s butcher answers for his crimes before this process moves forward.”
Tuesday marked Florida’s day of action in an ongoing grassroots campaign, Sudan Sham Elections 2010. With events taking place across the United States, activists aim to generate attention to Sudan’s elections in the weeks before polling begins and urge U.S. leaders at the highest levels to engage at this crucial moment in Sudan’s history.
Watch Congressman Ros-Lehtinen’s full remarks on the House floor: