Stopping atrocities in Sudan
By Jacqueline Y. Collins and Edward Petka, The Chicago Tribune
Jan 27, 2006 — On Jan. 27, the people of Illinois began striking an invisible but formidable blow against the tyrants in Sudan who — through acts of genocide and terrorism – -are torturing and killing thousands of our sisters and brothers.
On that date, Illinois began implementing the Act to End Atrocities and Terrorism in the Sudan, which we had the honor of sponsoring in the Illinois Senate. Targeting billions of public-pension dollars, the Act sends this message to public-equity firms and private-equity firms: if you want us to invest in your business, stay away from Sudan.
Money is the lifeblood of tyrants. And despite efforts by the federal government, U.S. money is still flowing into Sudan – particularly when it is routed through foreign business. Well aware of this fact, Sudan’s government recently hosted an international conference to attract foreign investment (“Sudan Invest 2005”), stressing its status as a friend to foreign investment. Sudan’s government is looking for private-equity money to support its infrastructure, including railroads and airports. Powerful firms like Boston Consulting Group are credited with helping private-equity firms access the Sudan market. And a host of public and private-equity firms are very much active in Sudan, including AIG, First Rand, Bessemer, Siemens, and Petro-China. As we investigated this loophole in federal law, we discovered that our own public-pension systems had invested billions of dollars in such companies. So we drafted legislation to close this loophole. This approach is similar to what we did to end apartheid in South Africa, and it will have the same impact in Sudan (especially if it is imitated and not weakened).
In targeting pension funds, Illinois was the first state in the nation to take action against Sudan’s wanton acts of cruelty, torture, and genocide. And the Act is already having a big impact. Other states (including New Jersey, Connecticut, and Louisiana) are imitating it. Particularly because of student activists, colleges like Harvard, Stanford, and University of California are following suit. Respected Wall Street firms, such as Northern Trust and Barclays, and reputable research firms, such as Conflict Securities Advisory Group and KLD, are creating Sudan-free portfolios.
The Illinois message is getting through because it is moral and forthright. The Illinois message is getting through because people of all creeds, regions, and political persuasions have united in giving it voice. From the elected state officials who voted the Act into law, to the Black Congressional Caucus which gave us guidance, to Illinois lawmakers (like Senator Peter Roskam and Representative Lovana Jones) who helped carry the bill, to Treasurer Topinka who supported its passage and is now giving it force, to Governor Blagojevich who signed it into law, to the Illinois pension funds (such as SURS, IMRF, and ISBI) who are making it work, to Wall Street companies who have created Sudan-free portfolios, this Act cuts across all sectors of the population. And it does so because its underlying message is clear: the people of Illinois will no longer tolerate complicity in genocide and terrorism.
It’s a rare thing indeed when so many public and private officials unite in common cause. And it’s a good thing indeed when we speak in unison against the reign of terror in Sudan: Let’s put an end to the unspeakably heartless regime that is killing, torturing, and maiming thousands of innocent children, women, and men.
* Jacqueline Y. Collins, State Senator, 16th District
* Edward Petka, State Senator, 42nd District