Declaration by EU on the report by the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur
EUROPEAN UNION
Brussels, 7 February 2005 – 1. The European Union welcomes the report, and in particular the recommendations, by the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur, established under Security Council Resolution 1564 (2004), which has just been submitted to the United Nations Secretary-General. The EU recalls that, from the outset, and in particular in the Council conclusions of 26 July 2004, it has stated its support for the establishment of this Commission of Inquiry.
2. The EU expresses its concern at the findings of the inquiry, which attribute to the Government of Sudan and the Janjaweed responsibility for serious violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law, which could be qualified as crimes against humanity. The EU notes that the Commission also found rebel forces to be responsible for committing acts which could be classified as war crimes. The EU is concerned at the fact that these attacks, which were noted throughout the inquiry, are continuing.
3. The EU resolutely condemns these crimes and stresses the importance of putting an immediate end to impunity in Darfur. The Commission of Inquiry recommends that those responsible should answer for their acts before the International Criminal Court. In this context, the EU reaffirms its constant support for the International Criminal Court, and reiterates its common position on the ICC, while noting that it is for the United Nations Security Council to take a rapid decision on this matter.
“The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Country Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration”.
* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process