ICC D. Prosecutor speaks on need for justice in Darfur in women meeting
January 24, 2008 (THE HAGUE) — International Criminal Court (ICC) Deputy Prosecutor will join other African women for a consultation on Darfur in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to discuss women conditions in Sudan’s Darfur region and the need for justice in the war-torn region.
Over sixty women from Darfur are in Addis Ababa to speak during two days — 24-25 January — about living conditions and the violence they face since the beginning of conflict and to discuss how to involve women in Darfur peace process. The consultation is organised by Femmes Africa Solidarité, an international NGO working on issues of gender, peace and development in conflict zones.
ICC Deputy Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, will remind those gathered for the purpose of developing a Darfuri Women’s plan for peace about the need for justice: “justice is an essential requirement to halt the cycle of repeated violations of women’s rights.” She said in a statement on Thursday.
The Deputy Prosecutor will cite the need to arrest ICC indictees, Sudanese Minister Ahmad Harun and Militia Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb, as key. According to the Deputy Prosecutor, “as long as these alleged criminals remain at large, they threaten victims in Darfur”.
The meeting comes few days ahead of 10th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government.
States Parties to the ICC, the United Nations, the African Union and other international organizations “should not lose any opportunity to send strong messages to the Sudanese authorities.” Bensouda said..
The discussion is believed to let African women’s lobbies to harmonize their strategies in order to integrate gender into the peace process in Sudan.
“This pre-summit discussion will enable us to how best we can support and strengthen the Sudanese women contribution in the peace discussion.” Bineta Diop, Executive Director of Femmes Africa Solidarité said.
The consultation seeks to develop a Darfuri women’s plan of action for peace, identify constraints and establish the way forward for the implementation of the Plan of Action.
The outcome will go to the upcoming 10th Ordinary Session of the AU to be held January 31- February 2, 2008 and be a useful instrument for the advocacy activities that will follow at the African Union summit.
The pre-summit discussion is also aimed at supporting and strengthening Darfuri women who constitute 60% of Darfur community.
(ST)