Student Assembly

‘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 supports the Proposal for Institutional Action to Counter the Current Crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and urges President Skorton to consider endorsement with particular focus to Consideration 5, divestment from companies which profit from human exploitation in the Congo and to meet with student leaders to discuss the possibilities.

Respectfully submitted,

Nathaniel Houghton
President, Cornellians for the Congo

Nate Baker
Architecture, Art, and Planning Representative