Arab-South America summit refuse to back Sudan’s Bashir on ICC warrant
March 31, 2009 (DOHA) –Arab and South American states concluded their summit in Qatar today without taking any position on the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.
The South American states have refused to add language to the final declaration adopted by the summit rejecting the ICC arrest warrant or expressing support for Sudan against threats to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
However the summit attended by Bashir, hailed the efforts by the Arab League and the African Union (AU) to resolve the Darfur crisis. It called on the Darfur warring parties to cooperate with the international community and respect the international humanitarian laws.
The declaration also stressed the importance of respecting human rights in Darfur.
Yesterday the Arab League (AL) issued a strongly worded resolution rejecting the ICC decision against Bashir and vowing not to cooperate with The Hague based court.
On March 4th the ICC judges charged Bashir with five counts of crimes against humanity and two of murder.
Almost all South American states have ratified the Rome Statute which is the founding text of the ICC. African states, despite forming a majority of the ICC members, have criticized the ICC move amid reports that they are considering withdrawing from the treaty.
However President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela slammed the ICC warrant saying that the court should indict former US President George W. Bush for crimes in Iraq rather than Bashir over Darfur.
Chavez, whose country is an ICC member, also invited Bashir to visit Caracas, though he voiced concern about his safety during foreign travel.
(ST)