Jordan suggests it will honor obligations under ICC’s Rome Statute
March 3, 2009 (CAIRO) — The Jordanian government today said that it stands by the “Arab consensus” with regards to a possible arrest warrant that is expected to be issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.
Al-Sharif attended a regular meeting held by the Arab League for its foreign ministers in which they discussed Sudan’s row with the ICC.
The Arab League foreign ministers issued a statement afterwards saying that they “reject any politicization of the principles of international justice”.
They renewed a call for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to “delay any decision by the ICC to give peace efforts a chance” and warned of “dangerous consequences” should the council not heed to their request.
On Wednesday the ICC judges will release their decision on a request by ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo submitted last July for an arrest warrant against Bashir accusing him masterminding a campaign to get rid of the African tribes in Darfur; Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa.
The Jordanian official suggested that there is no contradiction between his government’s stance within the Arab League and its membership at the ICC.
“Jordan affirms that it will honor the treaties and conventions that it signed” Al-Sharif said.
Jordan is one of three Arab states along with Djibouti and Comoros Island which are members of the ICC. Hypothetically the Middle Eastern country has an obligation to enforce an ICC arrest warrant for Al-Bashir if he is present on its territory.
The Sudanese government reportedly approached Jordan to assist with mediation with Western countries to suspend Bashir’s indictment by the court but the latter rejected the plea and advised Khartoum to deal legally with the ICC.
Last year the Jordanian delegation at the Assembly parties meetings led by its ambassador to the US Prince Zeid Bin Ra’ad affirmed “their continued support to the ICC”.
“Jordan calls all states, regional and international organizations to provide support to the court…. stresses the need for full international cooperation with court since its work and success in achieving its goals are dependent on constructive cooperation from all states” Prince Zeid Bin Ra’ad said in prepared remarks.
Last September the Jordanian King Abdullah II received Sabdarat who delivered a message from Al-Bashir.
King Abdullah II told Sabdarat that Jordan is “keen on preserving the security and stability of Sudan as well as achieving national reconciliation and strengthening peace all over Sudan” Jordan state agency reported.
But the Jordanian monarch avoided making public comment criticizing The Hague based court despite his government supporting an Arab League resolution in July describing the ICC move as “unbalanced”.
Jordan is one of the very active states at the ICC Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein was the first President of the ICC Assembly of States Parties from 2002-2005.
(ST)