On the recordJuly 7, 2011
Mr. Speaker, with a heavy heart, I turn our attention to the plight of Sudan's Nuba people, who are fleeing their homes in the tens of thousands as the Sudanese Armed Forces conduct a brutal military assault on their homeland. There are widespread reports that Sudanese forces are bombing, shelling, and executing civilians in the oil-rich state of South Kordofan. The Sudanese Government has barred NGOs and the press and is restricting the movement of U.N. personnel in the area. Mr. Speaker, as we welcome South Sudan into the community of nations this week, United Nations personnel must investigate reports of possible war crimes against the Nuba people by the Sudanese forces. We must not be intimidated by Omar al-Bashir's bullying, or we may find ourselves saying ``never again'' again. ____________________
