On Human Rights Day, Advice To The President On Darfur From Angelina Jolie

Angeline Jolie, in honor of Human Rights Day, offers her take on Darfur in Newsweek with some questions for President Obama.

The Obama administration recently unveiled its new policy of engagement with Sudan, aimed first at securing the full implementation of the treaty that ended the north-south Sudanese civil war. While the administration maintained it will not deal with al-Bashir or any other official charged with arrest, it has not yet announced any serious moves to enforce the decision of the ICC and execute its warrants.

Jolie says she supports diplomatic initiatives, but still has some concerns.

How is the Obama administration’s approach to Sudan an evolution of justice? In addition, when the administration says it intends to work to “improve the lives of the people of Darfur,” I would like to know what that means, besides the obvious point that their lives could hardly get worse.

And what will be the precedent set for future leaders? Will they end up receiving high-level international attention, and remain free to pocket financial assistance and aid relief pouring into their country? Is there incentive for them to act with impunity or will they fear they’ll be held accountable?

And some advice:

In Sudan, the administration should explore ways to bring al-Bashir to justice, even as it encourages stability in Darfur. This means bringing all permanent members of the U.N. Security Council on board to send the message that the international community will not tolerate mass atrocities.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.