EU wants Hague court to prosecute Darfur crimes

BRUSSELS, Feb 4 (Reuters) – The European Union called on Friday for war criminals in the Darfur conflict in Sudan to be prosecuted at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, putting the bloc on a collision course with the United States.

A U.N.-appointed commission reported earlier this week that the Sudanese government and militia leaders had committed major crimes under international law.

As a result Sudan officials and rebels involved in the conflict can be prosecuted as war criminals.

The Sudanese government is accused of arming Arab militias to loot and burn non-Arab villages in the western Darfur region, where at least 70,000 people have died and 1.8 million been forced from their homes.

The EU wants any such prosecutions to be carried out by the ICC, but Washington opposes the court, citing fears of prosecutions in other conflicts of U.S. soldiers abroad.

The EU noted the commission’s recommendation that those responsible should answer to the Hague court.

“The EU reaffirms its constant support for the International Criminal Court and reiterates its common position on the court,” the statement said.