Darfur: EU must act against the regime

I AGREE fully with the sentiments of the former EU Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten, when he contends that the EU has not done enough to help people in the Darfur region of Sudan.

The EU has issued 53 statements since 2003 expressing “serious concern” about the situation there. However, words have not been matched by deeds. EU restrictions against Sudan include only a travel ban on four low-ranking soldiers and an arms trade embargo.

But the EU should be taking tougher measures against the Khartoum government, including the following:

A travel ban on most Sudanese government officials.

A freeze on the assets of businessmen working with the Sudanese government.

A blockade against Sudanese oil exports.

A ban on investments in Europe by members of the Sudanese government. The EU does not even have a travel ban on the Sudanese Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Ahmad Muhammad Harun, who has been named by the International War Crimes Tribunal as a key figure in recruiting people to the Janjaweed — the group that has carried out the most brutal of atrocities in Darfur.

The German presidency of the EU must propose much tougher measures against the Sudanese government for approval by EU member states.

Eoin Ryan MEP

European Parliament Offices

Molesworth Street

Dublin 2