Washington, D.C.–
Senator Ben Cardin applauded action in the United States Senate to pass the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act.  The bill authorizes State and local governments to divest assets in companies that conduct business in Sudan and prohibits United States Government contracts with such companies.

“The passage of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act is a major victory for the movement to end genocide and violence in Darfur.  The House of Representatives and the Senate have both passed this legislation and everyone hopes it will not take long to be signed into law.”

After acknowledging the success of the Act, Sen. Cardin recognizes much work still needs to be done in order to bring greater stability to Darfur, Sudan.  “The people of Darfur and those of us who care deeply about their plight anxiously await the full deployment of the combined United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).  UNAMID still needs more funding, approval from the Government of Sudan of international forces and helicopters for rapid medical and military response.”

“The Government of Sudan is finding it more and more difficult to delay and obfuscate the deployment of UNAMID.  Passage of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act demonstrates the international community is weary of inaction and is moving to force greater cooperation and protection of civilian lives.