Slavery remains an unresolved issue in Sudan, and the U.S. needs to do more to end it, according to Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith who introduced legislation this week aimed at eliminating the horrific practice of bondage and human trafficking in that war-torn African nation. 

    “No modern day society should allow forced servitude, sex trafficking and forced religious conversion, yet this is precisely what is going on today in Sudan. The Sudanese government’s practice of turning a blind eye and denying that slavery continues in their country needs to come to an end, and we need to be more aggressive in our efforts to expose and end it,” said Smith. 

    H.R. 5911, the Eradication of Slavery in Sudan Act of 2006, creates a commission of independent persons for six years that will hold hearings and undertake other activities to investigate the fate of slaves and ongoing trafficking practices in Sudan. The Commission will be responsible for providing reports and recommendations for U.S. policy on eliminating slavery in Sudan. 

    “A peaceful, stable Sudan will not take hold until the issue of enslavement is resolved,” Smith said. “The fate of thousands of women and children enslaved by militias in Sudan during the north-south civil war is unknown. Children have grown up in slavery, and women have borne children who were slaves at birth. The fact that this continues today is reprehensible.”

    The commission created by Smith’s bill will be composed of six experts in human rights, international law and the abduction and enslavement of persons in Sudan. The members will be selected by the president and Congress. Their responsibilities will include:

• Reporting on progress made by the Sudanese government and nongovernmental organizations in identifying the location of slaves in Sudan and ensuring their freedom;
• Working with the government of Sudan to ensure safe passage of freed slaves and their reunification with family;
• Documenting existing cases of slavery and working to prevent new cases from occurring;
• Ensuring that former slaves have access to basic education and skill training, as well as medical, social and psychological support needed for their effective rehabilitation and reintegration into society; and
• Ensuring that individuals responsible are brought to justice

    “Earlier this week, I met with the President of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir, and spoke with him about a number of issues, including slavery in Sudan. I told him of this bill, and he was encouraged by our efforts to help these forgotten people,” said Smith. “The eradication of slavery in Sudan will help bring peace to Sudan. This commission will provide us with the knowledge, resources and policy recommendations to make that happen.” 

    Tens of thousand of Sudanese citizens have been forced into servitude since the outbreak of civil war in 1983. Trafficking in the Darfur region of Sudan has involved girls forced into prostitution in internally displaced persons camps and boys forced into service as child soldiers. Meanwhile, Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, a Ugandan rebel group, is believed to be hiding in southern Sudan where he continues his campaign of kidnapping, forced conscription and sex trafficking.