| 4/11/2006 |
Providence legislators want R.I. to divest from Sudan
Bill follows divestment by City of Providence, Brown University
STATE HOUSE – Legislation sponsored by Providence legislators Sen. Rhoda E. Perry and Rep. Joseph S. Almeida would require the State of Rhode Island to pull out any investments it has with any company that does business in Sudan in response to genocide in that country’s Darfur region.
The divestment legislation follows similar actions by Brown University and the City of Providence, which became the first city in the United States to take action to divest in the African country because of the genocide there when the City Council passed an ordinance doing so last week.
The two legislators said they are not sure how much, if any, of Rhode Island’s investments –mainly its retirement pension funds – are invested in companies that do business in Sudan, but the legislation would require the state’s money managers to find out.
Even if it is not much, they hope that the legislation is passed and helps push other governments to take similar action. Three other states – New Jersey, Oregon and Illinois – have already divested from Sudan. If enough investors pull out of the country, there will be a severe effect on the Sudanese government, they said.
“Part of what we need to do is raise awareness in America and around the world about the atrocities that the Sudanese government is carrying out. Just like Rwanda, just like the Nazis, Sudan is waging a racist war to kill an entire segment of its own population. Divestment by Rhode Island may have only a small direct effect, but along with the city, Brown University, and the three other states that have divested, we can start a movement that can have a real impact,” said Senator Perry, a Democrat who represents District 3 on the East Side.
In the last three years, an estimated 400,000 people in the western Sudanese region of Darfur have died as a result of the Arab government’s effort to wipe out black tribal peoples. Entire villages are wiped out by bombing by Sudan’s air force and by Islamic warriors known as the “janjaweed” (“evil on horseback”) who kill and rape villagers, burn homes and crops, and destroy infrastructure, water supplies and livestock.
Sudan’s government is also blocking humanitarian aid to Darfur. An estimated 3.5 million people are now hungry, and even more widespread famine is expected this summer or fall if aid does not reach the people. About 2.5 million people have been displaced by the violence.
“Our government has to make a statement and hit Sudan in every way we can to help put a stop to the genocide. Just because we’re a half a world away doesn’t mean we can’t do something about it. We can hit Sudan in the pocketbook and spread the word so other states and countries do the same thing. There’s no way the world should tolerate any government that is trying to wipe out entire races,” said Representative Almeida, a Democrat who represents District 12 in the South Side and Washington Park neighborhoods.
The legislation would not block investment with companies engaged solely in humanitarian aid to Sudan, or solely in purchasing or providing agricultural products there. Agriculture provides nearly 80 percent of the employment in Sudan.
Senator Perry’s bill (2006-S 2971) was introduced March 23 and is before the Senate Finance Committee. Representative Almeida’s bill (2006-H 7969) was introduced April 6 and is before the House Finance Committee.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Waterman, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457 |
LEGISLATIVE INFO
