Student Assembly

R.13 Encourage Action in the Congo

Whereas, since 1996 nearly six million children, women, and men have died in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and hundreds of thousands more have been victims of unimaginable atrocities that deeply shock the conscience of humanity; and

Whereas, grave crimes such as crimes against humanity and war crimes threaten the peace, security and well-being of the Congo; and

Whereas, those responsible for such crimes have largely gone unpunished; and

Whereas, efforts to hold those responsible for such crimes will contribute to the prevention of future atrocities and serve as a catalyst to eventually end the armed conflicts in which such crimes are often committed; and

Whereas, we, as privileged leaders of Cornell University, have a commitment to philanthropy and voluntarism in support of freedom and justice throughout the globe;

Be it therefore resolved, that the Student Assembly urge the Cornell University administration to

1. Call for peace, justice and national reconciliation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

2. Offer condolences for the lives tragically lost as well as support for the survivors.

3. Call for the protection of the environment and endangered species in the Congo.

4. Call for an end to the conflict in the Congo and for the support of world leaders and people of good will across the globe in this effort.

5. Call for an end to the exploitation of the Congolese peoples’ resources, recognizing that these resources should not be a curse but a blessing to the Congo, with the Congolese people as the primary beneficiaries of their great natural wealth.

In signing the proclamation in support of the Congolese people issued by Cornellians for the Congo, et al. and taking action in response to the proposal presented by Cornellians for the Congo that comes with the support of this Student Assembly.

Respectfully submitted,

Nathaniel Houghton
President, Cornellians for the Congo

Nate Baker
Architecture, Art, and Planning Representative