News

Darfur: Trial of Janjaweed leader must not be ‘a false dawn’ for justice, Security Council hears |


Brief Notice from Khartoum, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan updated ambassadors on a pivotal moment for justice in the area of ​​resistance and the ICC-UN Security Council relationship.

He said during the proceedings, which began on April 5 and included 31 counts of war and crimes against humanity.

Ethnic Purification

Darfur fell into a genocidal conflict that began in early 2003, two rebel groups took up arms against the Sudanese Government, which they accused of discriminating against the non-Arab population of the region. , leaving the country starving for resources.

The Government’s response was to launch an ethnic cleansing campaign against non-Arabs, primarily the Janjaweed Arab militia. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed and several million displaced in the brutal fighting, with Janjaweed burning and looting hundreds of villages across Darfur.

‘The microcosm of suffering’

Over the past four months, the testimonies of 28 witnesses have appeared in court so far, reflecting grisly cruelty that Mr Karim described as “a microcosm of suffering”.

He explained that the ICC’s presence on the ground resonated with the people of Darfur and Sudan.

It also shows that justice can be done with perseverance, courage and partnership, he told ambassadors.

While acknowledging that “more needs to be done”, the ICC prosecutor warned against becoming “a victim of our own cynicism” – as it could become “a self-fulfilling prophecy”. Fort”.

“Justice must be important to all of us,” he said.

‘False promises’

Mr Karim warned that it would be a “false promise” to think that all the horrific events in Darfur fell on the shoulders of Ali Kushayb, whose real name is Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman.

While his case is expected to close early next year, the Prosecutor explained that ICC judges have issued subpoenas for other cases involving alleged war crimes. occurred in Darfur.

Step back

Noting that “a step back in terms of cooperation has taken place in recent months”, Mr. Karim stressed the need for more “cooperation and accountability”.

He informed the Council that he had also conveyed the same message to two Sudanese generals during a meeting earlier in the day. A military coup nine months ago ended a power-sharing agreement between top military and civilian leaders, after longtime leader Omar al-Bashir was deposed in 2019.

Further progress will require a renewed commitment to meaningful cooperation from the current military-led administration to ensure sustained access to victims, witnesses, and related documentation.

“I have returned to Sudan to strengthen the basis of our joint work towards accountability,” he said. “Cooperation from the Sudanese authorities is essential if we are to bring meaningful justice to Darfur.”

Pay a visit

The ICC prosecutor said that he had just returned from Darfur yesterday, where he visited the large Kalma refugee camp.

He also met with the Governor of Central Darfur and visited two other camps – an experience that had the impact of strengthening his determination that the situation in Sudan must be given the right priority, with the resources and activities to carry out the task given to the ICC 17 years ago. .

The nightmare for thousands is not over yet because justice and meaningful accountability have not been delivered as predicted by the Council in 2005, he said.

Camp Kalma was established in 2004 and 300,000 people live there today, mostly as a result of activities that forced the Council to refer the Darfur situation to his office.

During his visit, the camp’s residents rejoiced and chanted “Welcome ICC!”, said Mr Khan, expressing his strong belief that justice can be delivered to Darfuris.

Cooperation … is essential if we are to bring meaningful justice to Darfur – ICC Prosecutor

He told displaced people that although they may have their roads cut off, they are not cut off from hope.

‘The Caravan of Mankind’

Describing the “caravan of humanity” that went to the camps and the allegations of rape and murder, he said he hoped he hadn’t raised his voice when he told people there, that the Council will not forget Darfur “because they have not forgotten you”.

He said that the Juba Peace Agreement for Sudan, signed by the transitional government to end internal strife between warring factions across the country in October 2020, cannot be allowed to make excuses for not doing so. current action, and recommended that the Council consider holding a session in Sudan, to hear from those in the camp.

If the international community does not deal with the historical abuses, the ICC Prosecutor asserts that the cycle of punishment may continue and other cycles of violence may follow.


Children at the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced people in North Darfur, Sudan.  (file)

UN photo / Albert González Farran

Children at the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced people in North Darfur, Sudan. (file)

Target

Mr. Khan outlined the core strategic principles for an ICC innovation strategy, detailing key actions to be taken and setting initial benchmarks to be achieved.

The ability to help bring justice to the victims and survivors of atrocities committed in Darfur lies not only in bringing a case before judges, but also in meeting the needs of those that it serves, he said.

As part of its innovation strategy, the ICC Office aims to significantly and continuously increase its engagement with affected communities, by bringing its work closer to them.

New standards detailed in the report include multiple entry visas and the opening of the ICC Office in Khartoum.

“The coming weeks will assess whether this mission was successful or not,” the prosecutor said. “I want Sudan to be successful… and always ready to participate… in any way possible.”

By moving to Sudan and improving cooperation with the authorities, Mr Khan told the ambassadors that he believed that justice could be done, while fully vindicating the Council’s decision to refer to the case from the outset.



Source link

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button