afrol News, 28 April - Sudanese government has been blamed for its reluctance to hand over its indicted citizens to the International Criminal Court [ICC] in The Hague.

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber on 27 April 2007 issued arrest warrants against Ahmed Harun, former Sudanese Interior Minister, and Ali Kushayb, a Janjaweed leader, for 51 counts of alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Mr Harun was accused of financing, arming and inciting the Janjaweed militia to attack villages in Darfur in 2003/04, killing civilians who were not participants to any conflict. Mr Kushayb was said to have led the attacks that forced millions out of their homes and into camps.

"Brutal and massive attacks, rapes, tortures were committed five years ago against Sudanese citizens and their own government promised everything and has done nothing," said the ICC Prosecutor, blaming Sudanese government for not cooperating with the court, despite being transmitted the warrants on 16 June 2007. In Prosecutor's view, Sudan's action is a breach of the UN Security Council Resolution 1593.

One year after the issuance of the warrants, Ahmad Harun [currently Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs] and Ali Kushayb remain free in Sudan.

"He attacked Sudanese people, his people, those he vowed to protect as minister; he is an indicted minister, he is a fugitive," complained the Prosecutor. "He will end up in Court."

In Darfur today, 2.5 million people displaced in camps are under attack; women are raped, leaders are eliminated.

"Crimes are thoroughly organized. Destitution is organized. Insecurity is organized. The mobilization of the state apparatus to plan, commit and cover up the crimes is the focus of our second investigation. I will report the progress of my investigation to the United Nations Security Council on 5 June.

"Then I will proceed to the Judges, presenting my evidence on who is bearing today the greatest responsibility for the ongoing attacks against civilians; who is maintaining Harun in a position to commit crimes, and who is instructing him and others," stated the Prosecutor.

"I urge the international community to send a strong and unanimous message to the Government of the Sudan, requesting the execution of the arrest warrants. The government of Sudan, as the territorial State, has a responsibility to do so. They can, they must surrender the two indicted criminals now, and break the system of violence and impunity in Darfur."

By staff writer

© afrol News

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