Waging Peace

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Home Briefings 6th July 2009 - African Union decision not to arrest Bashir condemned by African NGOs

6th July 2009 - African Union decision not to arrest Bashir condemned by African NGOs

E-mail Print PDF

In response to the African Union’s decision not to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in arresting Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Rebecca Tinsley, Chair of human rights organisation Waging Peace, said:

“All across Africa people will be disappointed that their rulers are protecting a man indicted on seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity from facing justice. Once again, the people in power are out of step with the will of African civil society groups who want to end impunity for human rights abusers.

“Far from feeling that the Court is unfairly targeting Africa , African NGOs believe that by delivering justice the Court acts to protect African lives and show despotic leaders that they cannot act without impunity.

“The numerous letters and initiatives signed by organisations from across Africa calling on leaders to support the ICC and bring Bashir to trial have fallen on completely deaf ears.

“The support of the African Union  for the International Criminal Court is vital to the reputation of the Court, as well as the continent’s own commitments to delivering justice. Therefore, African leaders must listen to their people and heed their calls to bring to justice those guilty of horrendous atrocities.”

For interviews or further information please call 020 7166 5399 or email Louise Roland-Gosselin on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Sudan365 Countdown Clock

Sudan365 Countdown Clock

Beats for Peace

Sudan 365

WP in the News

1 June 2010, letter in the Guardian, 'African Democracy and Human Rights'

 

'African Democracy and Human Rights'

Letter to the Guardian

Tuesday 1 June 2010, Louise Roland-Gosselin

 

The snubbing of the inauguration of Omar al-Bashir by Britain and the US, (World leaders stay away as Bashir sworn in for new term in Sudan, 28 May) demonstrates the hypocritical stance world leaders continue to take to the Sudanese president. In April, the international community accepted the results of Sudan's deeply flawed elections, despite evidence of ballot-box stuffing, political intimidation and violence at polling stations, in the hope of keeping cordial relations with Bashir. His indictment by the international criminal court for war crimes and crimes against humanity has been almost completely sidelined and it is believed that the US is preparing to lift trade sanctions on Sudan. Better relations with Bashir, it is thought, will bring peace to Sudan – yet talks on Darfur are at a standstill and the government continues to bomb Darfur's Jebel Marra with impunity.

For over five years the world has pandered to Sudan behind closed doors, publicly issuing empty threats, which have resulted in conditions for the people of Sudan only becoming more desperate. It is time that Cameron and Obama took seriously the threat of a man who has killed over 2 million of his own civilians.