Senator Durbin,

In light of your recent victory getting the Child Combatants Prevention Bill signed into law, we, the undersigned, wish to direct your attention to a matter closely related.

The United States Government has begun to establish diplomatic ties with the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS). President Bush has even personally met with the current leader of the GOSS.

The GOSS is attempting to establish a democratic government in the southern region of Sudan, which is a noble goal and should be supported by the United States.

However, many humanitarian agencies including ReliefWeb (www.reliefweb.int) have reported numerous accounts of abuse within the GOSS military towards female combatants including:

1. Sexual abuse including rape, abduction, forced marriage, and survival prostitution of both women and girls.

2. Continued violence over the 'ownership' of the aforementioned women and their children.

3. Placing the men responsible for such actions in positions of power and security enforcement.

We ask that restrictions be placed upon the GOSS by the United States. That the new government be given support in their goals of achieving peace in the region and establishing democracy, but also that they be held accountable for protecting these women and punishing those responsible for these crimes.

Accountability could be achieved by directly connecting any funding received from the United States to whether or not the GOSS has addressed these concerns.

Please work as hard for the women of Southern Sudan as you have for the child soldiers in Africa.

Thank you for your time.

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