http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2012-02-11T15:54:03+00:00
Almost an hour long and very informative interview and very forthright and transparent regarding our mission on behalf of those suffering in Darfur and the Sudan. Scott Gration is well versed and deeply motivated to help and to save lives. There are so many dots to connect and he seems to have a good handle on the situation. Semper Fi Jack]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/live_stream_sudan/ Mon Nov 16, 2009
Madame Secretary of State, you have repeatedly said that the situation of women and girls in conflict zones is at the top of your country's foreign policy agenda, yet the issue of women's rights in Sudan rarely makes it to the negotiating table with the NCP and SPLM. We appreciate the efforts the United States put to stop violence against women in Darfur, in addition to the recent adoption of the United Nations Resolution to Combat Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict. However we urge you to pay attention to the situation of women in all of Sudan. Talks about the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) have never included women's rights in a concrete and detailed manner and have failed to highlight discriminatory laws, such as Public Order Laws and Article 152 of the Sudanese Penal Code, awaiting reform to mirror the Interim National Constitution and the CPA. Also the U.S. administration has not issued any statements expressing concern during the two-month trial of journalist Lubna Hussien and 12 other women arrested for "indecent dress" that ended in early September. We are requesting that women's human rights are given priority in America's foreign policy towards Sudan. What are your future plans regarding the visibility of women's rights in future talks with the GoS (SPLM and NCP)?]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/live_stream_sudan/ Tue Nov 10, 2009