As an involved constituent from Harwich, Massachusetts currently pursuing my undergraduate degree at Smith College, I would like to raise a concern that I have not yet heard addressed by Representative Perry.
There is a very broad base of support for genocide and mass atrocities prevention, especially on Cape Cod. There are two student-led groups that focus primarily on genocide and mass atrocities prevention, and a much wider human rights constituency across all of the Cape. As one of the past leaders of the STAND chapter at Harwich High School, and as a current National Outreach Coordinator for STAND, the student-led division of the Genocide Intervention Network, I would like Representative Perry to speak on the subject of genocide and mass atrocities termination and prevention, particularly in Sudan.
There has been an ongoing genocide occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan since 2003, claiming the lives of over 400,000 innocents, and sending millions more across borders and into internal refugee camps in Sudan. At the same time, the government in Khartoum has been marginalizing the people of Southern Sudan, who experts believe will vote to secede from Sudan after a referendum this January. Scholars and activists believe that the Obama administration is not taking firm enough action to ensure a legitimate and peaceful referendum is ensured, and that the current US policy includes all incentives for the government in Khartoum and no pressures, and is completely sidelining Darfur.
As a member of Congress, what will Representative Perry do to ensure that both incentives and pressures are implemented in US Sudan policy, and that there be a focus on all of Sudan and not just the North-South issue?
I look forward to hearing more.
In Peace,
MacKenzie
---
MacKenzie J. Hamilton
National Outreach Coordinator
STAND: Student-led Division of Genocide Intervention Network
Smith College, Class of 2013
(774) 722 2861
http://www.standnow.org
mhamilton@standnow.org
