When I received a press release--I've brought copies--denouncing the use of rape against protesters in recent protests, they also highlighted the use of rape against women in Darfur, and that this is a continuation of the current practices of this regime.
We don't work with people in Darfur, but there's a concern in all of Sudan, in both northern Sudan and South Sudan. They have been talking and collaborating on how they will continue to work together post-referendum and how they can continue to support women's rights. There's concern about women's rights in all of Sudan, but there's especially fear of further repression in the north, given the separation of the south. The fear is that President al-Bashir and the National Congress Party will claim that only Arabic people live in the north, that it's a monolithic society, and that sharia law must rule. The concessions that were made following the signing of the peace agreements are being pulled back. This has been seen in recent activities, with more arrests and more visits from security forces to NGOs, including the ones we support.
I think the recommendations that were made by the foreign affairs committee were in the right direction. This committee could also affirm the need to keep a watchful eye on women's rights in all of Sudan and in Darfur, especially if there are changes around the ICC and the indictment of Bashir, given that he's letting the south go. That's of concern to us.
I don't know if that answers your question.