Sudan to request ICJ opinion on UNSC authority to refer case to ICC
July 29, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese government will request the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the authority of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to refer cases to the International Criminal Court, an official said.
The UNSC referred the Darfur case to the ICC in March 31, 2005 based on the recommendations of the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur formed in 2004.
The ICC’s prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo asked pre-trial judges last week to issue arrest warrants for Al-Bashir.
Ocampo filed 10 charges: three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder. Judges are expected to take months to study the evidence before deciding whether to order Al-Bashir’s arrest.
The Sudanese official said that the Sudanese president enjoys immunity in accordance with national and international laws and therefore the judges “cannot stop him through the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)”.
But the ICC statue states that “official capacity as a Head of State or Government, a member of a Government or parliament, an elected representative or a government official shall in no case exempt a person from criminal responsibility”.
If an arrest warrant is issued all countries which are parties to the ICC have an obligation to apprehend Al-Bashir if he arrives on their territory.
Last week the Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade told his Sudanese counterpart during a phone conversation that he will not be able to offer him refuge if there is an arrest warrant for him.
Wade speaking from Chicago told Senegal News Agency (APS) that he informed Al-Bashir that they are party to the ICC and they cannot “make an exception”.
(ST)
thomas
Sudan to request ICJ opinion on UNSC authority to refer case to ICC
It seems Al-bashir’s bed isn’t so comfortable these days, by their actions it seems like they’re losing sleep due to Ocampo seeking his indictment. Despite all their macho posturing about not recognizing the court and so on, they sure have been going on a world begathon for support from anyone who can offer it. That surely doesn’t look like a government (regime is better word) that could care less what Ocampo does. The fact of the matter is Al-Bashir and his cronies can engage in all the mass delusion about international conspiracy that they want, as the Indians say- Satyameva Jayate! Truth Alone triumphs. We know what you did, you are murderers. Guns and oil and the Chinese and Russians can protect you maybe, but you can’t hide from God, the Truth, and yourself. Have a good night! haha.