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The Hague, 14 July 2008
ICC-OTP-20080714-PR341-ENG
Situation:
Darfur, Sudan
ICC Prosecutor
Luis Moreno-Ocampo has presented evidence today showing that
Sudanese President, Omar Hassan Ahmad AL BASHIR committed the
crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in
Darfur.
Three years
after the Security Council requested him to investigate in
Darfur, and based on the evidence collected, the Prosecutor has
concluded there are reasonable grounds to believe that Omar
Hassan Ahmad AL BASHIR bears criminal responsibility in relation
to 10 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war
crimes.
The
Prosecution evidence shows that Al Bashir masterminded and
implemented a plan to destroy in substantial part the Fur,
Masalit and Zaghawa groups, on account of their ethnicity.
Members of the three groups, historically influential in Darfur,
were challenging the marginalization of the province; they
engaged in a rebellion. AL BASHIR failed to defeat the armed
movements, so he went after the people. “His motives were
largely political. His alibi was a ‘counterinsurgency.’ His
intent was genocide. ” The Prosecutor said.
For over 5
years, armed forces and the Militia/Janjaweed, on AL BASHIR
orders, have attacked and destroyed villages. They then pursued
the survivors in the desert. Those who reached the camps for the
displaced people were subjected to conditions calculated to
bring about their destruction. AL BASHIR obstructs international
assistance. His forces surround the camps. One victim said:
“When we see them, we run. Some of us succeed in getting away,
and some are caught and taken to be raped -- gang-raped. Maybe
around 20 men rape one woman. […] These things are normal for us
here in Darfur. These things happen all the time. I have seen
rapes too. It does not matter who sees them raping the women --
they don't care. They rape girls in front of their mothers and
fathers”.
For over 5
years, millions of civilians have been uprooted from lands they
occupied for centuries, all their means of survival destroyed,
their land spoliated and inhabited by new settlers. ‘In the
camps AL BASHIR’s forces kill the men and rape the women. He
wants to end the history of the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa people’
said the Prosecutor. ‘I don’t have the luxury to look away. I
have evidence’.
For over 5
years, AL BASHIR has denied the crimes. He says rape does not
exist in the Sudan. This is a fabrication. “By preventing the
truth about the crimes from being revealed; concealing his
crimes under the guise of a ‘counterinsurgency strategy’, or
‘inter tribal clashes’, or the ‘actions of lawless autonomous
militia’, AL BASHIR made possible the commission of further
crimes. He promoted and provided impunity to his subordinates in
order to secure their willingness to commit genocide” The
Prosecutor said.
Al BASHIR’s
intent to commit genocide became clear with the well coordinated
attacks on the 2.450.000 civilians who found a haven in the
camps. “AL BASHIR organized the destitution, insecurity and
harassment of the survivors. He did not need bullets. He used
other weapons: rapes, hunger, and fear. As efficient, but
silent.” Said the Prosecutor.
Today, the
evidence shows that AL BASHIR, instead of assisting the people
of Darfur, has mobilised the entire state apparatus, including
the armed forces, the intelligence services, the diplomatic and
public information bureaucracies, and the justice system, to
subject the 2.450.000 people living in IDP’s camps, most of them
members of the target group, to conditions of life calculated to
bring about their physical destruction.
“AL BASHIR is
the President. He is the Commander in Chief. Those are not just
formal words. He used the whole state apparatus, he used the
army, he enrolled the Militia/Janjaweed. They all report to him,
they all obey him. His control is absolute.” added Prosecutor
Moreno-Ocampo.
The Pre-Trial
Chamber I will now review the evidence. If the judges determine
that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the named
individual committed the alleged crimes, they will decide on the
best manner to ensure his appearance in court. The Prosecution
has requested an arrest warrant |
