YouSaid · the spoken record

Moreno-Ocampo

lines on the record: 318
first: 2005-06-29
most recent: 2012-06-05
sittings or episodes: 18
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“The Court has investigated the crimes committed in Darfur over the past 6 years. We have identified the persons most responsible for the most serious crimes committed in Darfur. That is our judicial mandate, our contribution to stopping the crimes and preventing future crimes. We have identified six individuals to be prosecuted. Three arrest warrants and one summons have been issued. The Judges' decision on two remaining individuals in the Haskanita case is pending. 09-36092 There is no sealed decision or other case pending at this stage. As I mentioned in previous briefings, the list of 51 names prepared by the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry for Darfur is not used by my Office. As I have done in the past, I would like to inform the Security Council of the next activities of my Office.”
2009-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6135 (2009) · source
“The attack on Haskanita in September 2007, which caused the deaths of 12 African Union peacekeepers and left thousands of people without protection, was the most serious of all the attacks against peacekeepers in the region. On 7 May 2009, Pre-Trial Chamber I issued a first summons for Bahar Idriss Abu Garda, President of the United Resistance Front, to appear in relation to the Haskanita crimes. He appeared in court in The Hague on 18 May 2009. Let me thank those countries that have facilitated investigative missions of my Office and have helped to protect victims and witnesses and to facilitate the initial appearance of the first individual to have agreed to appear voluntarily before the Court, among them Gambia, Mali, the Netherlands, Nigeria and Senegal. Those are the cases currently being prosecuted by the Court.”
2009-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6135 (2009) · source
“That provision mirrors those of article 6 of the Statute, on genocide, which establishes that causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of a group and deliberately inflicting on that group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction, in whole or in part, can constitute genocide. The only difference between extermination and genocide is the latter's requirement that an intention to eliminate a specific group be demonstrated, in this case the Fur, Massalit and Zaghawa. Extermination has been happening since at least 2004, and it is happening today. Extermination is happening, with 2.5 million victims so far. Extermination is happening before the eyes of the international community. We have also investigated and prosecuted attacks against peacekeepers.”
2009-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6135 (2009) · source
“The intentional infliction of conditions of life in the camps, where the Sudanese State apparatus controlled by President Al-Bashir does not provide assistance and is obstructing the provision of assistance, and the multiple rapes of women leading to physical or mental harm, are both crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. The Judges have retained the charge of extermination as a crime against humanity. 09-36092 Under paragraph 2(b) of article 7 of the Rome Statute, extermination includes "the intentional infliction of conditions of life, inter alia the deprivation of access to food and medicine, calculated to bring about the destruction of part of a population".”
2009-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6135 (2009) · source
“On 4 March 2009, Pre-Trial Chamber I issued an arrest warrant for five counts of crimes against humanity, including extermination, rapes and killings, and two counts of war crimes against President Omar Al-Bashir. By a two to one vote, the Judges rejected the three genocide charges at this stage. The Office has appealed, and the Pre-Trial Chamber has yet to decide to grant leave to appeal on this topic. The Judges' decision on 4 March has clarified the type of crimes committed in Darfur against the displaced persons in the camps. While the peacekeepers monitor fighting between parties to the conflict and the humanitarian workers monitor the physical plight of the civilians, the International Criminal Court monitors individual behaviour that can constitute crimes within our jurisdiction.”
2009-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6135 (2009) · source
“In our second case, we covered the same massive crimes against villagers and the continuing crimes being committed against displaced persons in the camps. The evidence showed the role played by President Omar Al-Bashir, beginning in 2003, when he ordered the operations against civilians in the villages, through 2005, when he appointed Ahmed Haroun as the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and organized the process of strangulation of the displaced communities, denying them any meaningful assistance, preventing their return, forcing the United Nations and others to set up the largest humanitarian operation in the world and yet obstructing each step of their work.”
2009-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6135 (2009) · source
“We collected evidence impartially for two years, relying on information provided by many actors, including the Government of the Sudan, and on the testimonies of more than 130 witnesses. We took those testimonies in more than 18 countries and devoted a great deal of effort to ensuring the protection of witnesses. In our first case, we investigated the massive killings, rapes and torture of civilians in their villages during the period 2003-2005, which led to the displacement of four million civilians. The evidence revealed the role of the Minister of State for the Interior, Ahmed Haroun, as the coordinator of massive crimes against civilians not participating in the conflict, and the role of Janjaweed militia leader, Ali Kushayb, in specific attacks.”
2009-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6135 (2009) · source
“Mr. Moreno-Ocampo: Mr. President, I thank you for inviting me to brief the Council today. In March 2005, through resolution 1593 (2005), the Council referred the situation in Darfur since 1 July 2002 to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. For two months, my Office assessed the allegations of massive crimes committed in Darfur and the existence of national proceedings in relation to them. Since there were no such proceedings, I decided, as Prosecutor to open an investigation in June 2005. Under the Rome Statute, the policy of my Office is to investigate and prosecute, in accordance with the evidence collected, those most responsible for the gravest crimes under our jurisdiction. This is what we did in the Darfur situation.”
2009-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6135 (2009) · source
“Finally, part of his cover-up is diplomatic work to the Council, the African Union, the Arab League and the United Nations, promoting and proposing ceasefires that he never complies with, promising justice that he never delivers and promising to disarm Janjaweed militias - and the next day saying, well, not the reserve forces - and, finally, threatening retaliation. Using proxy force is the last strategy he uses to keep his plan working. So I am just talking about how the crimes are committed, and I have to alert the Council. This is what I saw according to my evidence. This is my responsibility.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“They are attacking the evidence and they are also protecting individuals sought by the Court. That is why they have not handed over Haroun, because for President Al-Bashir, it is a really important point not to hand over Haroun and to keep people following his illegal instructions. One important point I was trying to relate to the Council is that they always promise national proceedings and they never deliver national proceedings. How can you investigate nationally if you are attacking those who are speaking out about the crimes?”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“He gave the orders, he adjusted the orders and he implemented the orders, but then the other aspect that I was trying to brief the Council on - and I appreciate the question because it allows me to provide the answer - is the covering up of the crimes. A person cannot openly use a State to commit crimes. That is why they cover up the crimes. They cover up the crimes with different strategies, using the Janjaweed militias, playing with the ambiguity of the Janjaweed militias and denying the commission of crimes. As members know, they have denied the crimes and denied the numbers many times. Today I quoted them as now denying the rapes, saying that the women who are raped are relatives of the rebels. They deny the value of the evidence. They say I have no evidence. They are trying to attack all of my witnesses, all over the world.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“In September 2005, when most of the Fur, Zaghawa and Masalit areas were clean, he appointed the same person to be Minister of Humanitarian Affairs. It is a false name, and that members must know. Of course, it is a secret service operation; it is an operation to keep controlling and attacking these people. But of course, they cannot directly attack people in the camps, because there would be an international clamour. That is why they used different strategies. Fear, rape and hunger are the strategies. That is why people there, aid workers and African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) peacekeepers, are under tremendous pressure.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“He replaced a governor in Darfur because he advised him not to use the militia/Janjaweed. He recruited the militia/ Janjaweed and incorporated them as reserve forces to replace those members in Darfur who were members of the army and refused to attack Darfur. Interestingly, Mr. Al-Bashir adjusted the plans for the extermination of the groups according to the facts. After 2004, there was increasing pressure from the international community, and most of the Villages that the Fur, Zaghawa and Masalit were inhabiting were emptied. Then he adjusted, to attack them in the camps. The most clear example is how he then appointed Ahmed Haroun, who was the Minister of State for the Interior, coordinating the attacks in the Villages.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“He has his responsibility, and I will not infringe on his responsibility. But part of my responsibility is to investigate crimes, and what I see in the crimes committed in Darfur is that the crimes have the particularity that they are committed by the members of the Government, using the Government apparatus. That is the particularity of this case, because President Al-Bashir is the President of the country and the commander-in-chief of the army. But how can we ensure that the Sudanese Armed Forces will not follow illegal orders? That is the particularity. He gave the orders to commit the crimes. He ensured - and this is the evidence, I am following the evidence now - he ensured the implementation of his orders, and let me review how. First, he replaced those officers and governors who refused to follow his instructions.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“Mr. Moreno-Ocampo: First, I would like to respond to the question posed by the representative of South Africa. For the purpose of clarification, may I begin by saying that I truly appreciate the question, in particular because South Africa stands as an example to the world on how to conduct a transition. As the Permanent Representative of South Africa said, South Africa, as a founding member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), was leading the Rome discussions, and throughout my five-year tenure, South Africa has been leading and supporting international justice. That is why I really appreciate his question and his frankness. Let me be totally clear. As he said, I am a prosecutor; I have to respect the law. I have to follow the evidence without fear, favour or political consideration. That is what I am doing.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“President Al-Bashir will insist on denying his crimes and will offer a few words. President Al-Bashir will insist on getting the Council's protection. The international community cannot conceal the crimes. President Al-Bashir's criminal actions should not be ignored. Statements of ceasefires followed by bombings, denial of mass rapes or promises of justice while torturing the witnesses should not be supported. The international community cannot be part of any cover-up of genocide or crimes against humanity. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Bruno Stagno Ugarte, said in June (see S/PV.5905), all we need is for the States members of the Security Council to muster the political will necessary to enforce full compliance with resolution 1593 (2005) by the authorities in Khartoum.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“As long as the arsonists are in charge, it does not matter how many firefighters you send. There will never be enough. The Security Council requested judicial intervention. My Office investigated those bearing the greatest responsibility. All the arrest warrants and all the requests for arrest warrants have been made public. There are no others. Ahmed Haroun and Ali Kushayb must be surrendered to the Court. All parties to the conflict must respect the law. The decision on the request for an arrest warrant against President Al-Bashir is now in the hands of the judges. The Council must be prepared. If the judges decide to issue an arrest warrant against President Al-Bashir, there will be a need for united and consistent action to ensure the execution of the arrest warrant.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“President Al-Bashir is using the diplomatic apparatus and campaigning against the ICC. President Al-Bashir is trying to convince organizations and the Security Council that they have to protect him. The international community cannot be part of such a cover-up. Faced with genocide and crimes against humanity, we know that inaction and business as usual are part of the crimes. The Victims are not afraid of justice. The Council has identified four tracks for a comprehensive solution in Darfur: peace, security, humanitarian aid and justice. None can succeed in isolation. Peacekeepers and aid workers should not be forced to work in an environment where the crimes they are trying to prevent are ordered by President Al-Bashir himself. In such an environment, their efforts will never be enough.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“So-called suspected ICC witnesses are being arrested and tried for treason. Sudanese officials are looking for possible witnesses in order to silence them. This is not how evidence is collected; this is how crimes are covered up. This is the "justice to the oppressed" that President Al-Bashir is talking about. All the partners of the Sudan have advised it that the only way forward is to take concrete and concise steps. The Sudanese authorities have not taken any. President Al-Bashir could have disarmed the militia, stopped attacks on civilians, returned land to the displaced, arrested and surrendered Harun and Kushayb to the ICC in The Hague. He has not done so. He continues to implement his plan to destroy entire ethnic groups. His criminal behaviour includes providing immunity and concealing crimes.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“Opening the Sudanese People's Initiative one month ago, President Al-Bashir said: "Because we believe that justice is a paramount value and is the foundation of good governance, we announce our commitment to establish the rule of law in all parts of Darfur in order to do justice to the oppressed... I have instructed all legal bodies to continue performing their duties in Darfur without laxity, paying special attention to acting on complaints and finalizing legal procedures in the best possible way in order to guarantee the conduct of fair trials in total transparency." Nevertheless, every day we hear of human rights defenders being arrested and tortured in Khartoum. Three were arrested last week and tortured on account of giving information to the International Criminal Court.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“Recently, on 17 October 2008, the Secretary-General reported to the Security Council that the Government of the Sudan had yet to stop aerial bombardments; had yet to take steps to disarm the militia/Janjaweed, and had yet to comply with its obligations under humanitarian law to protect civilians. On 12 November, President Al-Bashir pledged once again to commit to a ceasefire and to disarm the Janjaweed. On 19 November, one week later, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the United Nations was again looking into reports of continuing aerial bombings on civilians in Darfur. When it comes to justice, furthermore, only words have been offered.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“Again, on 3 July 2004, the Government of the Sudan issued a joint communique with the United Nations in which the Government promised to disarm the militias, bring the perpetrators of human rights abuses to justice and remove any obstacles to humanitarian access. The list is endless. In Italy, on 15 September 2007, President Al-Bashir promised a ceasefire. Three weeks later, Sudanese troops and their allied militias killed over 30 civilians in an attack on Muhagiriya in South Darfur. On 19 December 2007, President Al-Bashir gave a public address, stating the Government's unilateral commitment to a ceasefire in Darfur. Aerial bombardments of civilians ensued within a month, with strikes against the villages of Abu Surouj, Sirba and Suleia in January and February 2008.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“In order to stop the crimes, this Council has repeatedly formulated key recommendations - namely, disarming the militia/Janjaweed; ending air strikes against civilian targets; facilitating aid; and promoting accountability. In response, the Government of the Sudan has offered empty promises, which have been contradicted by their actions. As early as 19 June 2004, President Al-Bashir ordered a complete mobilization to disarm all illegal armed groups in the Darfur region, including the Janjaweed, only to state the day after his pledge that this applied only to the bandits, not to the Popular Defence Forces, Popular Police or other tribesmen armed by the State to fight the rebels.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“President Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania, in his capacity as President of the African Union, stated in the General Assembly that the most urgent matter is to save lives in Darfur. His words were wise words. These crimes must be stopped. For years, the Security Council and Member States have warned the Sudanese authorities about the illegality of bombing schools and of the dangers posed by not disarming the militia/Janjaweed. This is a very important issue. The mobilization of the militia/Janjaweed has allowed President Al-Bashir to disguise the conflict for years as a tribal one that had nothing to do with State forces. President Al-Bashir created the illusion of militia/Janjaweed autonomy, and this helped him to continue to carry out the genocide in the face of international scrutiny.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“And Ahmad Harun, as the Council knows, is still the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs of the Sudan, in charge of the same people he has displaced. President Al-Bashir has publicly declared that he would not hand over Minister Harun to the International Criminal Court, because Minister Harun was implementing his instructions. The impunity afforded to Ahmad Harun is a direct message to all perpetrators of crimes in Darfur that the President will protect those who follow his orders. It is also a threat to the victims, to the personnel which you, members of the Security Council, mandated on the ground, and a direct challenge to the authority of the Council itself.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“As the report indicates, over the past five years, the Sudan has tried and completed only seven cases - I repeat, seven cases - that are 3 from the dockets of the ordinary courts and, more important, have no connection to the campaign of crimes coordinated by Ahmad Harun, perpetrated by Ali Kushayb and others and, as the prosecution alleges, ordered by President Al-Bashir. The gravest case investigated by the Sudanese authorities is that of a student killed during a demonstration. In spite of all the statements about the work of the Special Courts since 2005, and in spite of recent announcements and appointments, nothing - nothing - has been done. Rumours of an investigation of Ali Kushayb have not materialized to date.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“As Ivo Sanader, Prime Minister of Croatia, described in one concise sentence in the General Assembly, "The ICC provides a vital recourse to justice in situations where national Governments cannot or will not address these issues themselves" (A/63/PV.]2). In the present case, applying the complementarity test is a straightforward matter. There has been no change since June. There are no national proceedings in the Sudan in relation to the massive crimes being investigated by the Court. The report of the Government of the Sudan circulated to the African Union and the United Nations on 17 September 2008 officially confirms that.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“Day after day, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and others tally the incidents of rape perpetrated against women and girls. Yet, as recently as 7 October, President Al-Bashir publicly stated that "mass rape does not exist" in Darfur, adding that "women make these claims because they are relatives of the rebels". Villages continue to be bombed, as evidenced by the recent air strikes on Dairi Shagi and Oum Al-Wadi, in North Darfur. An additional 300,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of this year. Complementarity is a cornerstone of the Rome Statute. Complementarity is an opportunity for each State to shoulder its own primary responsibility for investigating and prosecuting crimes.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“In Kalma camp on 25 August, Government forces armed with guns attacked civilians - Furs - ho sought to defend themselves with sticks and spears. At least 31 were killed and more than 65 were wounded, including women and children. On 10 September, my Office sent a letter to the Government of the Sudan requesting information on national investigations or prosecutions planned or under way in relation to the events of 25 August. There has been no response. In camps all over Darfur, the Humanitarian Aid Commission, within Minister Harun's remit, working in close association with the intelligence and security apparatus, is as active as ever. Significantly, the Commission's most recent act was to put an end to mental health care for the displaced.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“In response to my Office's application, there have been reactions by five rebel groups, parties to the conflict, stating that they are ready to collaborate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and to hand over any member of their movement if so requested by the Court. Such words must be followed by actions. The individuals involved in the crimes will have to come to The Hague and appear before the judges. No one is above the law. Over the past few months, the Government of the Sudan has not heeded the Council's presidential statement contained in document S/PRST/2008/21. Genocide continues. Rapes in and around the camps 08-63120 continue. Humanitarian assistance is still hindered. More than 5,000 displaced persons die each month. I repeat: each month, more than 5 ,000 people die.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“The judges will rule shortly on this application. It is time to be prepared for their ruling. On 20 November 2008, I presented to Pre-Trial Chamber I the Haskanita case, against three rebel commanders allegedly responsible for the war crimes of directing attacks against peacekeepers, murder and pillaging. Those commanders led forces of approximately 1,000 men with heavy weapons to attack peacekeepers of the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS). They killed 12 peacekeepers and severely wounded 8 others. Such attacks against peacekeeping operations constitute exceptionally serious offences; they strike at the heart of the international system established for the purpose of maintaining peace and security; and they affect the millions of civilians whom peacekeepers are mandated to protect.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“In response to the application, Presidential Adviser Bona Malwal said on 25 July, "We are telling the world that, with the indictment of our President Al-Bashir, we cannot be responsible for the well-being of foreign forces in Darfur"; Adam Hamid Musa, recent Governor of South Darfur, threatened that there would be "more genocide such as has never before been seen by anyone" if President Al-Bashir were indicted; and President Al-Bashir himself said, "We are not looking for problems, but if they come to us, then we will teach them a lesson that they will not forget." Such statements inciting violence are threats against the victims and against the men and women deployed on the ground under the authority of the Council. Such threats should be seen for what they are: a confirmation of criminal intentions.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“As announced, on 14 July 2008, I requested Pre-Trial Chamber I to issue an arrest warrant against President Omar Al-Bashir on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The evidence shows that in March 2003, President Al-Bashir ordered the attacks against the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa ethnic groups. Stating, "I want no prisoners or wounded, only scorched earth", he triggered brutal attacks in villages and in camps for displaced persons. At least 35,000 persons have been killed; approximately 300,000 suffered a slow death; and thousands of women and girls are the victims of rape. Today, the 2.5 million people in the camps are being subjected to living 08-63120 conditions calculated to bring about their physical destruction.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“Presidential statement S/PRST/2008/21 of 16 June 2008 sent this strong and united message: "The Security Council takes note of the efforts made by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to bring to justice the perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur ..., and "the Council urges the Government of Sudan and all other parties to the conflict in Darfur to cooperate fully with the Court, consistent with resolution 1593 (2005), in order to put an end to impunity for the crimes committed in Darfur." Security Council resolution 1593 (2005) gave jurisdiction to the Court. That presidential statement confirmed the Council's support for the judicial work of the Court.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“I reported again that the Sudanese Government had taken no steps to arrest and surrender Ahmad Harun and Ali Kushayb, against whom the Judges had issued arrest warrants in April 2007. Finally, I asked the Security Council to send a strong message to the Government of the Sudan requesting cooperation and compliance.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“I described the attacks against ethnic groups throughout Darfur, in their villages and in the camps for displaced persons, attacks which had been pursued over a period of five years. Such acts required, I said at the time, the sustained mobilization of the Sudanese State apparatus, 2 including the military, security and intelligence services and including the integration of the militias and J anjaweed into the reserve forces, the coordination of the diplomatic and public information bureaucracies and the control of the judiciary. I indicated that the case would be presented to the Judges by mid-July 2008. I also described the progress of the investigation into the murderous attack by rebels against peacekeepers in Haskanita in September 2007.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“Mr. Moreno-Ocampo: I thank Council members for the opportunity to brief the Council again on my judicial activities. As in the past, I will endeavour to provide as much clarity as possible on the steps foreseen by my Office. One year ago, in December 2007, I informed the Council that my office would investigate who bears the greatest responsibility for ongoing attacks against civilians in Darfur, who maintains Minister Ahmad Harun - a man indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity - in a position to commit crimes, and who instructs Harun and others. I also informed the Council that I was planning to investigate a third case focusing on the attacks against African Union peacekeepers. Six months later, in June 2008, I informed the Council about the details of those two cases.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“Based on those facts, I ask the Security Council to send a strong message to the Government of the Sudan and to issue a presidential statement, requesting that it stop the crimes; requesting that it arrest Ahmad Harun and Ali Kushayb; requesting that all parties assist the Court; and requesting, simply, compliance with resolution 1593 (2005). A presidential statement will send such a message. Silence has never helped or protected victims. Silence only helps the criminals.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“They are, quite simply, criminal acts against civilians - unarmed civilians. Citizens from the Sudan are being deliberately attacked by Sudanese officials. In the words of Harun, the people of Darfur are the enemy. Their own State is attacking them. If the international community does not protect the Darfuris, they will be eliminated. It takes a lot to commit massive crimes. It takes planning and organization. It takes commanders and many executioners. But mostly, it requires that the rest of the world look away and do nothing. The Council, when it requested my Office to intervene in Darfur, acted in a decisive way, thinking of the Darfuris but remembering also Rwanda and Srebrenica. At the Council's request, my Office will present new evidence exposing the facts and identifying those most 08-3674} responsible.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“They provide aid to the victims, they provide resources to the peacekeepers, and they have lost soldiers. I confirmed to them that I will fulfil my mandate independently and impartially. Their respect is crucial to my Office. Security Council members and all countries with strong ties with the Sudan can do more to bring justice to the Darfuris and the Sudanese people. Let me conclude. A rebellion is going on in the Sudan. Under international law, a Government has the right and the responsibility to maintain control of its territory. There is no doubt about that. But there is no military justification for bombing schools, and no legal excuse for raping women. Those crimes have been carefully prepared and efficiently implemented. They are not mistakes. They are not inter-tribal clashes. They are not cases of collateral damage.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon, in working for a comprehensive solution in Darfur and the Sudan, has consistently shown his vision and conviction that respect for the lives of Sudanese citizens is at the centre of any such solution. On 16 June, I will address the General Affairs and External Relations Council of the European Union. The Slovenian presidency and the European Parliament have been outstanding in putting impunity at the forefront of the European Union's agenda. I have also met with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, as well as with many of its member States. They have played a key role as friends and neighbours of the Sudan and as supporters of international law and justice for all the citizens of the world.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“I want to thank all those who have responded to our requests for information - including on tracing the indictees - and all those who have publicly or in bilateral meetings with the Sudanese explained the importance of enforcing the warrants. Those States have helped the victims, the Court, the Council and the Sudan. I am grateful for AU Chairperson Konare's efforts, and I look forward to working with his successor, Jean Ping. Deputy Prosecutor Bensouda has been invited to Sharm el-Sheikh. I have met, and will again meet with, the Foreign Minister of Tanzania, who is a steadfast supporter and the current President of the African Union. I would like to underline the efforts of the Secretary-General to address with President Al-Bashir the obligation to execute the arrest warrants.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“Child recruitment is a crime that can engulf entire generations in conflict. The first trial of the International Criminal Court will start this month, and it is precisely about child soldiers. Let me now clarify for the Council the next judicial steps. I will proceed to the judges in July and present my evidence on who are those most responsible for the crimes described. It will be a public application. The decision will rest with the judges. In previous cases, the judges have taken from one to three months to decide on the merits of the evidence. Before I conclude, let me address the issue of international cooperation.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“The evidence is not yet sufficient to go to the judges, but we have information that the October 2007 killing of 10 African peacekeepers in Haskanita was committed by two rebel splinter factions. That requires corroboration. Requests for additional information were sent to the AU and the United Nations, as well as to individual States and others. Such requests are confidential, but allow me to request publicly that all actors respond as early as possible. The 23 May attack on Nigerian peacekeepers and the killing of a Ugandan peacekeeper make it all the more urgent to ensure accountability. Increased attacks targeting aid personnel and peacekeepers could lead us to extend the scope of the third investigation. I am concerned as well about allegations of the recruitment of child soldiers.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“The evidence shows that the commission of such crimes on such a scale, over a period of five years and throughout Darfur, has required the sustained mobilization of the entire Sudanese State apparatus: the coordination of the military, security and intelligence services, the integration of the Janjaweed militia, the participation of all ministries, the contribution of the diplomatic and public information bureaucracies and the control of the judiciary. Let me now address our third investigation: into the crimes committed against peacekeepers and aid workers, those who came to help Darfuris. The list of attacks is long. On 29 May in Al Fashir, the memorial for the 61 African Union (AU) peacekeepers who lost their lives in Darfur was unveiled. My Office is determined to bring those responsible to justice.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“There is no end to the imagination employed in such cover-ups. In my written report I have provided statements of Sudanese officials to the effect that the situation in Darfur is stable, that the provision of aid and the deployment of peacekeepers is proceeding smoothly, that only 10,000 people have died since the beginning of the conflict, that all attacks find their origin in rebel acts or even mistakes by UNAMID and that political negotiations will solve all problems. The evidence shows a different picture.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“The Nazi regime invoked its national sovereignty to attack its own population, and then crossed borders to attack people in other countries. In my own country, Argentina, the military dictatorship had a well-documented strategy to disguise the criminal system of disappearances. They denied the crimes, they minimized their crimes, they denied the involvement of members of the Government in the crimes, and finally they proposed to forget the crimes and focus on political solutions. Remember also Karadzic's Directive 7, instructing his army to create a situation of total insecurity with no hope of survival for the people of Srebrenica, while making sure to avoid international outcry. The main instruction was to discreetly reduce support to the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR).”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“Sudanese officials are facilitating the settlement of groups affiliated with militia Janjaweed on Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa land. The census is crystallizing the situation, potentially creating a new demography. Displaced persons are concerned that new occupants could gain rights to the land, and are 3 resisting the census. In Kalma, Karandj and Abozr camps, violence has been used to force the population to accept the census. Combined with the impunity of perpetrators and the official denial of the crimes, the resulting mental harm to victims is devastating. The groups disintegrate. Sudanese officials are protecting the criminals and not the victims. Denial of crimes, cover-ups and attempts to shift responsibility have been another characteristic of the criminal plan in Darfur. We have seen it before.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“Far from being disarmed, the militia Janjaweed are integrated into the Sudanese security apparatus and stationed in the vicinity of camps. Rapes of women are systematic. The health consequences and the perceived shame of rape are, in effect, destroying physically and biologically the communities. Destitution is organized. Surveys - when Sudanese officials agree to their release - indicate that malnutrition rates exceed emergency thresholds, especially for children under five. Community leaders and teachers are the first to be targeted during attacks. This is a policy to ensure that all links binding communities together are torn. Usurpation of land is systematic. Sudanese officials are not facilitating the return of displaced people.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“A simple one: there are fewer villages left to burn and loot, fewer civilians to terrorize and kill. But the tactics remain the same: the Sudanese army, in coordination with the air force and militia Janjaweed, attacks civilians. In 2008 alone, it has displaced more than 100,000 civilians from the villages ofAbu Suruj, Sirba, Seleia, Aro Sharow, Kandare, Kurlongo and Sheged Karo. Schools, markets and water installations have been hit. Homes have been burned. Such attacks are sufficient to demonstrate to the 2.5 million people displaced their total vulnerability. Such attacks are calculated to drive entire groups to inhospitable areas, where they die immediately, or into camps, where they die slowly. In the camps, crimes and insecurity are organized.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source