Europe threatens new sanctions over non-cooperation with ICC
June 20, 2008 (BRUSSELS) — The European Union stepped up pressures on Sudan today saying they would impose new sanctions unless it cooperates with the International Criminal Court and hands war crimes suspects.
European Union leaders issued on Friday a statement expressing deep concerns over the Sudanese lack of cooperation with the ICC and demanding Khartoum to “work constructively” with the tribunal, the EU and the international community.
The European leaders urged foreign ministers to follow developments in Sudan closely and “contemplate additional measures in case of lack of full cooperation with the United Nations and other institutions, including the ICC”.
EU will consider freezing assets and drawing up a travel ban list of Sudanese officials if Khartoum fails to cooperate, diplomats told the Associated Press.
The EU already has an arms embargo on Sudan and visa bans for a number of Sudanese officials.
The Human Rights Watch urged EU to adopt measures that would freeze and seize assets of individuals identified as impeding cooperation with the ICC. Further more, it exhorted the EU to deny these individuals access to EU banks for any financial transactions and impose an EU-wide travel ban on them.
Following a smooth approach with the Sudanese government during the first year of the referral by the Security Council, the ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo last month called for global pressure on Sudan to hand over two Darfur war crimes suspects for trial.
Ocampo told Sudan Tribune earlier this month that he collected strong evidence of a “criminal plan based on the mobilization of the whole state apparatus, including the armed forces, the intelligence services, the diplomatic and public information bureaucracies, and the justice system.
He is expected to announce details of a new case next week against senior players in the Darfur conflict.
Sudan has not ratified the Rome Statue, but the UN Security Council (UNSC) invoked the provisions under the Statue that enables it to refer situations in non-State parties to the world court if it deems that it is a threat to international peace and security.
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Ajuong Ayany De puorgook
Europe threatens new sanctions over non-cooperation with ICC
let them continue with their sanction but please you EU stop blocking the oil sale because our GOSS will be bankrupt
Jonglei-watchdog
Europe threatens new sanctions over non-cooperation with ICC
Bravo! European Union for waking up the idea against the Sudanese suspects needed in the ICC. Sudan has to hand over these two suspected criminals to answer their attempts in committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Please my dear Sudanese government, you must know that the affected people of Darfur needs an excellence right through the trail of the two suspects. Hand them over, please.