Hague court opens probe into crimes in Darfur

AMSTERDAM – The International Criminal Court launched a formal investigation yesterday into suspected crimes against humanity in Sudan’s Darfur region, where tens of thousands have been killed since early 2003.

“The investigation will be impartial and independent, focusing on the individuals who bear the greatest criminal responsibility for crimes committed in Darfur,” the ICC said in a statement, but did not name any suspects. The UN Security Council voted in March to refer the situation in Darfur to the ICC, the world’s first permanent global criminal court established in 2002 to try cases of genocide and major human rights violations.The referral, the first by the Security Council, was made possible when Washington, which opposes the court, abstained from the vote after winning guarantees that its citizens in Sudan would be exempt from prosecution by the ICC.The United Nations says Sudan has done little to disarm Arab militia accused of widespread rape, killing and burning of non-Arab villages in Darfur during a two-year rebel uprising.ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo called on all parties to provide his office with the information, evidence and practical support needed to carry out his mandate.”The investigation will require sustained cooperation from national and international authorities,” he said.”It will form part of a collective effort, complementing African Union and other initiatives to end the violence in Darfur and to promote justice.”In April, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan gave the ICC a sealed list of 51 people suspected of slaughter, rape and pillage in Darfur.Though the men have not been named, they are believed to include top Sudanese government and army officials, militia leaders and rebel and foreign army commanders.Sudanese officials have rejected handing over the country’s citizens for trial in a foreign court, saying Sudan will prosecute war crimes suspects itself.It says it has already arrested members of the military and security forces for trial.- Nampa-ReutersThe UN Security Council voted in March to refer the situation in Darfur to the ICC, the world’s first permanent global criminal court established in 2002 to try cases of genocide and major human rights violations.The referral, the first by the Security Council, was made possible when Washington, which opposes the court, abstained from the vote after winning guarantees that its citizens in Sudan would be exempt from prosecution by the ICC.The United Nations says Sudan has done little to disarm Arab militia accused of widespread rape, killing and burning of non-Arab villages in Darfur during a two-year rebel uprising.ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo called on all parties to provide his office with the information, evidence and practical support needed to carry out his mandate.”The investigation will require sustained cooperation from national and international authorities,” he said.”It will form part of a collective effort, complementing African Union and other initiatives to end the violence in Darfur and to promote justice.”In April, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan gave the ICC a sealed list of 51 people suspected of slaughter, rape and pillage in Darfur.Though the men have not been named, they are believed to include top Sudanese government and army officials, militia leaders and rebel and foreign army commanders.Sudanese officials have rejected handing over the country’s citizens for trial in a foreign court, saying Sudan will prosecute war crimes suspects itself.It says it has already arrested members of the military and security forces for trial.- Nampa-Reuters