UK says concerned by Sudan denial for ICC to probe in Darfur

Dec 14, 2005 (LONDON) — The British Foreign Office Africa Minister Lord Triesman, said he is deeply concerned to hear the recent statement by Sudan’s Justice Minister, Mohamed Ali al-Mardi, that Sudan will not allow investigators from the ICC into Darfur..

Triesman demanded Sudanese government to comply with the wishes of the international community as set out in UNSCR 1591 and cooperate fully with the ICC should it decide to visit Darfur.’

In an interview with the Reuters the Sudanese minister of Justice said that Sudan will not allow International Criminal Court investigators to enter its Darfur region to probe suspected war crimes committed during the conflict there.

Al-Mardi told Reuters that the ICC investigation, requested by the Security Council, was not necessary because the Sudanese judicial system was capable of trying any crimes in Darfur.

‘UN Security Council Resolution 1591 referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC and called upon all parties, including the Government of Sudan to co-operate with the ICC investigation. This referral sent a strong signal to the world at large that there can be no impunity for those guilty of grave human rights abuses” the British official said.

The UK has also welcomed the work done by the UN Panel of Experts on Sudan as mandated by Security Council Resolution 1591, including their recent thorough report that is under consideration by the Security Committee” said Lord Triesman in a press statement.

“We are determined to make full use of the existing sanctions including imposing sanctions on individuals who have impeded the peace process, violated international humanitarian or human rights law, or committed atrocities. We, along with our EU Partners, also continue to press for the arms embargo on Darfur to be extended to the whole country” the British official said.

(ST)