Chris Smith Poised to Re-launch Anti-Slavery Bill

This month, 96 Black Sudanese were liberated and returned to their home areas in Southern Sudan. This CSI-supported action was undertaken by the Arab-Dinka peace committees at the Warawar and Manger Ater markets, just south of war-torn Darfur. All the freed slaves were males, mainly boys and young men.

The 96 freed slaves were captured by Government of Sudan-supported Arab/Muslim militias during 22 years of war (1983-2005) against the Southern Sudan-based Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). Sudan’s radical Islamist regime declared this war a jihad (Islamic Holy War). All of the freed slaves had worked for masters in cattle camps in Darfur and neighboring Kordofan.

While in captivity the overwhelming majority of the slaves were subjected to severe psychological and physical abuse:

86% - Forced Conversions to Islam
51% - Witnessed Execution of Slaves
99% - Frequent Beating
100% - Forced Labor
98% - Racially Insulted

Six of the male slaves were raped by their masters.

Among the sexually abused slaves was Luol Ngor Mayuol. Enslaved at the age of ten, Luol’s master re-named him Ali, forced him to convert to Islam, frequently beat him and slashed his face with a knife.

Tens of thousands of Southern Sudanese slaves remain in bondage in Northern Sudan, notwithstanding the January 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the SPLA. The UN reports that Black Sudanese are enslaved by Arab militias in Darfur, especially for sexual purposes.

This month’s slave liberation action coincides with U.S. Congressman Chris Smith’s preparations to re-launch a bill to establish an independent Commission to Monitor Slavery and its Eradication in Sudan. “CSI welcomes this bold initiative, and urges all members of Congress to put anti-slavery rhetoric into action by working together with Congressman Smith to produce an effective piece of legislation”, said Dr. John Eibner, CEO of CSI-USA.

CSI has been in the forefront of the anti-slavery movement since 1995. This year, CSI celebrates its 30th anniversary and the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade.