Admin l Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018
NEW YORK, United States – The International Criminal Court, ICC has called on the United Nations Security Council(UNSC) to take action against Sudan over the human rights situation in Dafur.
The ICC told the council that Sudan is uncooperative and that by parties to the Rome Statute, such as Djibouti and Uganda, have continued to host ICC suspects on their territory, in blatant violation of ICC findings.
It should allow my staff to conduct investigations on the ground in Darfur, and facilitate access to victims, witnesses and relevant documentary evidence. I again invite the Government of Sudan to work with my Office to pursue justice for the victims of the unimaginable atrocities that have occurred in Darfur
ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda who addressing the UNSC on the situation in Dafur called for punitive measures on violations if there must be an end to impunity. The ICC Prosecutor was alarmed that parties to the Rome Statute have continued to host Al-Bashir in defiance.
“ In the absence of any meaningful consequences for such instances of non-compliance, we are unlikely to see a change in such regrettable patterns. This status quo is hardly conducive to advancing the cause of justice in Darfur”, she said.
According to her, during the reporting period, “Mr Al Bashir continued to travel internationally, including to Djibouti and Uganda in July. Both of these States Parties were previously referred to the Assembly of States Parties, and this Council, for their failure to arrest and surrender Mr Al Bashir to the Court while on previous trips to their territory in 2016. No action was taken by the Council in relation to those, or indeed any other referrals”, she said.
She was of the view that the Government of Sudan can and must demonstrate its stated commitment to ending impunity, and respect for the authority of this Council, by opening a new chapter of cooperation with her Office.
“It should allow my staff to conduct investigations on the ground in Darfur, and facilitate access to victims, witnesses and relevant documentary evidence. I again invite the Government of Sudan to work with my Office to pursue justice for the victims of the unimaginable atrocities that have occurred in Darfur”, she said.
She is of the view that with the prevailing situation, justice and accountability for Rome Statute crimes for now remain unrealised aims in the Darfur situation.
“This is undeniably an unacceptable situation which must not be permitted to continue. Justice delayed is justice denied. The judgment of victims and the critical eyes of history are upon us”, she said,
