ICC seeks Sudan arrest pressure
Violence in Darfur continues to cause mass suffering
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Thursday, 06, Dec 2007 02:33
The international criminal court (ICC) is calling on the UN to demand the arrest of two Sudanese leaders wanted for war crimes in Darfur.
Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Sudan was failing to hand over Ahmed Harun and Ali Kushayb, Sudan's humanitarian minister and head of the janjaweed militia respectively, in line with its international obligations.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in May on charges of coordinating attacks on Darfuri villages and now wants the UN to "send a strong and unanimous message" to Khartoum requiring their immediate arrest.
"Until he is arrested and surrendered to the court, crimes coordinated by Harun will affect delivery of humanitarian assistance, threaten peacekeepers and international personnel," Mr Moreno-Ocampo said.
"As long as Harun remains free in Khartoum, there will be no comprehensive solution in Darfur."
Mr Harun was serving as state minister for the interior of Sudan and head of the 'Darfur security desk" at the time of the initial alleged incidents in 2003 and 2004.
The ICC says he is now implementing a second phase of his "criminal plan", denying the 2.5 million displaced people in Darfur the food, security and humanitarian assistance they need.
Up to 200,000 people have died so far in the Darfur conflict as rebel groups clash with the government and government-backed forces.
The ICC believes it is wrong to describe the crisis as chaotic or sporadic, insisting Mr Harun and others around him are running a deliberate campaign.
Mr Moreno-Ocampo added: "The rationale is the same as before: target civilians who could be rebel supporters.
"Harun must be removed from office, arrested and surrendered to the court."