I had a frustrating time trying to watch the ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo present his report to the UN Security Council this morning on the situation in Darfur. (Curse you, Real Player!) But I managed to read the written text of his statement. In his report, the prosecutor heavily criticized the government of Sudan for their complicity in refusing to extradite to the International Criminal Court the two individuals under indictment by the court for crimes against the Darfuri people.
The archived webcast should be available tomorrow on the UN website. Meanwhile you can watch the press conference yesterday on the NGO campaign "Justice 4 Darfur" to get these two criminals arrested, including testimony by a Sudanese woman affiliated with the Save Darfur Coalition.
I was moved by the closing remarks of the ICC Prosecutor:
It takes a lot to commit massive crimes. It takes planning and organization. It takes commanders and many executioners. But mostly, it requires that the rest of the world look away and do nothing. This Council , when it requested my Office to intervene in Darfur, acted in a decisive way, thinking of the Darfuris, but remembering also Rwanda, and Srebrenica. At the Council’s request, my Office will present new evidence exposing the facts and identifying those most responsible.
Based on those facts, I ask the Security Council to send a strong message to the Government of the Sudan and to issue a Presidential statement.
Requesting that they stop the crimes.
Requesting that they arrest Ahmed Harun and Ali Kushayb.
Requesting that al l parties assist the Court.
Requesting, simply, compliance with UNSCR 1593.
Silence has never helped or protected victims. It only helps the criminals. Thank you.
A very powerful and bold statement by the prosecutor. I’m reminded of the maxim, "To do nothing is a political act."
Ocampo’s full statement can be downloaded here.