ICC prosecutor: ‘we must not forget victims of the Darfur genocide’

Declaring April as the Genocide Awareness Month, ICC prosecutor called on “all States” to cooperate with the court in seeking accountability for these crimes, noting that the victims of Darfur must not be forgotten. International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said the institution’s first warrant of arrest for genocide was issued in 2010 and it remains “outstanding”. “Judges found that the evidence presented by the Prosecutor showed reasonable grounds to believe that Sudanese President Omar al Bashir is responsible for genocide by killing, causing serious bodily injury or mental harm and by deliberating inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the physical destruction of the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa ethnic groups in Darfur.  Unfortunately for the victims in Darfur, their suffering continues because of lack of implementation of the arrest warrant”, she was quoted in a statement of 2 April.   Bensouda reminded the government of Sudan and other parties to the conflict of their legal obligations to comply with Security Council Resolution 1593 adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. She further reminded ICC States Parties of their cooperation duties under the Rome Statute. The prosecutor appreciated the cooperation the court has received so far, but pointed out that “more can, must and should be done”.”Consistent concerted efforts are needed to enforce the warrants and ensure justice at last for the victims in Darfur”, she said.File photo: ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda (rnw.nl)Related: ICC considers new war crimes charges on Darfur (13 December 2013)