Iran Sanctions Legislation - What About Sudan?

New legislation introduced in the Senate will protect investors, investment managers and the like from law suits or other repercussions if they should decide to divest current investments in Iran's energy sector. The Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007 will:

"Require the U.S. government to publish a list every six months of those companies that have an investment of more than $20 million in Iran’s energy sector. This comprehensive list will provide investors with the knowledge to make informed investment decisions as well as a powerful disincentive for foreign companies to engage with Iran.

Authorize state and local governments to divest the assets of their pension funds and other funds under their control from any company on the list.

Protect fund managers who divest from companies on this list from lawsuits directed at them by investors who are unhappy with the results.

Establishes a Sense of the Congress that urges the Thrift Savings Plan to offer a terror-free investment option for government workers."

Basically, the legislation places the power of economic sanction in the hands of American stock holders, which is preferential to government sanctions. However, the door swings both ways; those currently invested in Iranian assets or companies who contribute to Iranian growth could simply continue. It is a matter of conscience.

While the United States' twenty-seven years of sanctions against Iran has had a questionable outcome, where is this type of legislation with regard to the genocide in Darfur? Surely the current slaughter of an entire people is of more importance than continued sanctions of questionable effectiveness in an attempt to alleviate our fear of future attack.

While I do believe that sanctions against Iran are preferential to military action, I must continue to question our government's pathetic response to the situation in Sudan. Why is it that we have little or no regard for the UN when it comes to military action yet we must stop and wait on UN deliberation before humanitarian action can be taken? Sure, there has been state action, but where is the national effort?