John Kerry on World Refugee Day and the Need for Action in Darfur

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<WASHINGTON, June 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Sen. John Kerry released the following statement today on World Refugee Day and the need for action in Darfur:

"World Refugee Day is a day to honor the accomplishments, strength and spirit of refugees and displaced people and draw attention to the plight of refugees around the world.

"This year we focus on places refugees call home - be it homes they once left or new homes. Our nation has always drawn its strength of character from the knowledge that America - as Abraham Lincoln spoke of it - is the last best hope of earth. Through our history, millions have found their own hopes fulfilled in America. Today it is fitting that we give careful pause to remember the circumstances they have left, while we recognize that they have enriched our nation as they have come to call it their own.

"The responsibility attached to Lincoln's words does not end at our shores. Across the world, refugees need our assistance and our support. They look to America's voice and leadership to champion their plight. And perhaps nowhere is the need for leadership greater than in Sudan today.

"Sudan's western Darfur region demands the world's immediate attention and action. Rampages against defenseless civilians by government-sponsored militia have caused the deaths of as many as 30,000 people, and more than one million have been made homeless. The US government estimates that at least 300,000 more are likely to die and, in the worse case, up to one million innocent civilians could perish. Now is not the time to debate whether to call this catastrophe a genocide. Now is the time for swift and strong action.

"The United States must lead the UN Security Council to immediately impose tough and effective sanctions on the government of Sudan, unless it moves without delay to act on its stated commitment to disarm militias and allows full, unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance. The Security Council should also provide authorization, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, for an international humanitarian intervention. Advance authorization will signal to the Sudanese government that the international community will not acquiesce in continued dying in Darfur and would help accelerate preparations for intervention, should that prove necessary.

"Because of the urgency of the crisis we must also be ready to take additional measures to pressure the Sudanese government: time is not on the side of those displaced by the violence. The coming rains will further limit humanitarian access, and disease could kill hundreds of thousands in crowded camps.">

www.johnkerry.com

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