Russ Feingold: “one month ago I urged greater U.S. and international action to end the horrific violence plaguing Somalia and to press…”

“one month ago I urged greater U.S. and international action to end the horrific violence plaguing Somalia and to press for a political solution that will lead to a sustainable peace in this war-torn country and stability for the volatile Horn of Africa region. Today, relentless violence in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, is worsening the humanitarian and human rights crisis faced by hundreds of thousands of Somali civilians, while Islamist militias have gained substantial territorial control in south and central Somalia and Somali pirates are wreaking havoc off the country's coast. In the past few days, a range of actors from the UN's Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs to Human Rights Watch, and even Pope Benedict, have issued urgent appeals for an end to the lawless violence in Somalia. Today, I am introducing a resolution that will add the U.S. Senate to the list of those calling for the protection of civilians and a recommitment to the ideals and implementation of the 2004 Transitional Federal Charter.”