Commission recommends tougher US sanctions

A federal advisory panel on religious freedom overseas has urged the new US administration to impose tougher santions on Sudan. In its first recommendations to the new administration of US President George Bush, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom said tougher sanctions were needed because of atrocities allegedly committed against the Christian minority by the Islamic majority, Associated Press (AP) said. It advocates imposing a military no-fly zone over Sudan and wants to provide humantiarian aid to opposition forces.

Susan Rice, a former assistant secretary of state for African affairs, denounced the Sudan government during the hearing for making “cheerful proclamations of change” while continuing repression. Rice recently visited southern Sudan and alleged a slave trade continued with the knowledge of the Sudan government. Observers said th panel may have success in gaining the attention of President Bush, who has had a steady dialogue with church officials as he works to expand the role of religious groups in social programmes, AP said.

The Sudan government has called for improved Sudan-US relations, and said it is working on thawing the “chill” between the two countries.