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ICC puts Sudan's Bashir on 'wanted' list for Darfur crimes
March 4, 2009 4:34 PM
After an inquiry lasting almost 4 years, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has backed its Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo and issued a warrant for the arrest of President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the people of Darfur.
The most contentious potential charge, that of genocide perpetrated against non-Arab ethnic groups in Darfur, was not however included in the warrant.
Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman Sarah Ludford MEP said:
"The ICC has rightly refused to compromise the search for justice by bowing to those voices who said a warrant for President Bashir would derail the Darfur peace process. There can be no sustainable peace with war criminals safe in their palaces. International troops in Sudan must assist Bashir's arrest."
"This is major step forward in the fight against impunity for horrific crimes. I understand the difficulties around deciding on a charge of genocide, but there still needs to be accountability for the well-documented atrocities against the people of Darfur."
"The safety of Darfuris in refugee camps in Chad or elsewhere, and of humanitarian aid workers, is a major concern. The international community must ensure full deployment of the UN-African Union peacekeeping mission and no longer tolerate the Sudanese Government's obstructionism. I hope that today's decision by the ICC helps bring back not only the rule of law but also greater attention to this neglected humanitarian tragedy and renewed energy for a peace agreement."
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