International Criminal Court

ICC Prosecutor: Harun is a fugitive

Arabic

One year ago, on 27 April 2007 the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Ahmad Harun, former Minister of State for the Interior of the Sudan, and Ali Kushayb— a Militia/Janjaweed leader — for 51 counts of alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes. 

Evidence collected during 2 years from different sources shows that Ahmad Harun financed, armed and incited the Militia/Janjaweed to attack villages in Darfur in 2003-2004, killing civilians who were not participants to any conflict; that Ali Kushayb led the attacks. They forced millions out of their homes and into camps.

There are no national proceedings related to those crimes in the Sudan.  “Brutal and massive attacks, rapes, tortures were committed 5 years ago against Sudanese citizens and their own Government promised everything and has done nothing”, noted the Prosecutor.

The Court transmitted the warrants to the Government of the Sudan on 16 June 2007. The Government of the Sudan has not responded; the GoS is not cooperating. The GoS has not complied with the UN Security Council Resolution 1593.

One year after the issuance of the warrants, Ahmad Harun and Ali Kushayb are free in the Sudan. Ahmad Harun is today Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs. “He attacked Sudanese people, his people, those he vowed to protect as Minister; he is an indicted minister, he is a fugitive” said the Prosecutor, adding “he will end up in Court.”

In Darfur today, 2.5 million people displaced in camps are under attack; women are raped, leaders are eliminated. “Crimes are thoroughly organized. Destitution is organized. Insecurity is organized. The mobilization of the state apparatus to plan, commit and cover up the crimes is the focus of our second investigation.  I will report the progress of my investigation to the United Nations Security Council on 5 June.  Then I will proceed to the Judges, presenting my evidence on who is bearing today the greatest responsibility for the ongoing attacks against civilians; who is maintaining Harun in a position to commit crimes, and who is instructing him and others”, stated the Prosecutor.

Today, he added, “I urge the international community to send a strong and unanimous message to the Government of the Sudan, requesting the execution of the arrest warrants. The GoS, as the territorial State, has a responsibility to do so. They can, they must surrender the two indicted criminals now, and break the system of violence and impunity in Darfur.”