ICC Prosecutor in New York to meet with United Nations and African Union officials

ICC Prosecutor in New York to meet with United Nations and African Union officials

ICC-OTP-20080922-PR356 عربي

On 22 to 26 September ICC Prosecutor, Mr Luis Moreno-Ocampo, will be in New York to meet senior international  actors and discuss how to further the protection of civilians in Darfur, stop the crimes, and ensure the execution of the Court’s judicial mandate and decisions.   

In July 2008, following a second investigation into crimes over the last five years in Darfur, the Office of the Prosecutor requested the issuance of an arrest warrant against President Al-Bashir for allegedly committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur. “We received a judicial mandate and we fulfilled it. We presented a solid case. The evidence show that crimes against Darfurians continued today. Al -Bashir has complete control of his forces, and they are raping women today, they are promoting conditions in the camps to destroy entire communities and they are still bombing schools.  The Judges will decide. It is an immense challenge for the political leaders of the world. They have to protect the victims and ensure respect for the Court decisions. Those sought by the Court have to face justice.  Between criminals and 2.5 millions victims, they should make the right decision” the Prosecutor said.   

Pre-Trial Chamber I is reviewing evidence submitted by the Office of the Prosecutor and will determine if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the named individual committed the alleged crimes. The Prosecution has requested an arrest warrant.   

Recently, the Office requested information from the Sudanese government about the Kalma Camp attack committed on 25 August where Sudanese forces allegedly killed at least 31 civilians. The Prosecution is also in the process of completing its third investigation, which is focused on rebel crimes,  in particular those most responsible for the attack against African Union Peacekeepers in Haskanita in September 2007.  

The International Criminal Court is an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes if national authorities with jurisdiction are unwilling or unable to do so genuinely. The Office of the Prosecutor is currently investigating in four situations: The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Northern Uganda, the Darfur Region of Sudan, and the Central African Republic, all still engulfed in various degrees of conflict with victims in urgent need of protection.

For more information, please contact:

Ms Florence Olara
Public Information Co-ordinator
[email protected]
+31 (0)70 515 8723 (office)
+31 (0) 65 029 4476 (mobile)

Ms Nicola Fletcher
OTP Media Liaison Officer
[email protected]
+31 (0) 70 515 8071 (office)
+31 (0) 650 890 473 (mobile)

Source: Office of the Prosecutor