Rights groups call on Malaysia to disinvite or arrest Sudan’s Bashir
June 13, 2011 (WASHNGTON) – The Malaysian government should withdraw an invitation it extended to Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir or detain him should he decide to fulfill it, human right groups said today.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has an outstanding arrest warrant for Bashir on ten counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide he allegedly masterminded in Sudan’s western region of Darfur.
“Malaysia should not turn itself into a port of call for fugitives from international justice” said Donna Guest, Deputy Asia Pacific Director at Amnesty International.
“The Malaysian government should bar Al-Bashir from its territory, and arrest him if he turns up” she added.
Malaysia is not a state party to the court’s treaty and therefore has no obligation to apprehend him but last March the cabinet decided that it will join the ICC. The next step is for the parliament to ratify the treaty for it to become a full member.
Amnesty International noted that at the time of Kuala Lumpur’s announcement on its intention to join the ICC, the Malaysian Law Minister Nazri Aziz said, “This is a declaration that Malaysia rejects war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.”
“Malaysia’s invitation to Omar Al-Bashir flies in the face of its decision to join the ICC,” said Guest. “Instead of hosting people wanted by the ICC, Malaysia should reaffirm its commitment to justice.”
The New York based Human Rights Watch (HRW) underscored the implications of Malaysia’s decision on the matter.
“Whether Malaysia allows President al-Bashir–a suspected war criminal sought on charges by the International Criminal Court–into its territory is a test of the country’s stated commitment to accountability,” said Balkees Jarrah, international justice counsel at Human Rights Watch.
“Malaysia should stand with victims, not those accused of heinous crimes against Darfuris, by barring al-Bashir entry or arresting him should he enter its territory” she added.
The Sudanese government has yet to confirm Bashir’s attendance. His travel has been restricted as a result of the warrant even to non-ICC members. In 2009 the Sudanese leader was forced to cancel his appearance at the last minute at a summit in Turkey following behind the scenes pressure from officials in Ankara.
Last year Libya also asked Bashir to stay away from the EU-Africa summit to avoid a mass walkout by European nations.
(ST)