Deputy Prosecutor attends women’s consultation on Darfur

Deputy Prosecutor attends women’s consultation on Darfur

ICC-OTP-20080124-MA004

Translation: عربي

On 24-25 January, International Criminal Court (ICC) Deputy Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, will join other African women for a consultation on Darfur in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to discuss issues relating to women in the Darfur region of the Sudan. 

The event is organised by Femmes Africa Solidarité annually to engage prominent women in constructive dialogue on matters concerning women in conflict zones.

Deputy Prosecutor Bensouda will urge those assembled not to ignore the plight of women in conflict regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Darfur and the Central African Republic.  According to the Deputy Prosecutor, “sexual and gender crimes are being inflicted on women and perpetrators of such crimes must know that they will be prosecuted.”  She added that in Darfur today women bear the brunt of continuing attacks on the civilian population displaced in camps; such attacks are being investigated by the Office of the Prosecutor.

Deputy Prosecutor Bensouda will remind those gathered for the purpose of developing a Darfuri Women’s plan for peace about the need for justice: “justice is an essential requirement to halt the cycle of repeated violations of women’s rights.” The Deputy Prosecutor will cite the need to arrest ICC indictees, Sudanese Minister Ahmad Harun and Militia Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb, as key.  According to the Deputy Prosecutor, “as long as these alleged criminals remain at large, they threaten victims in Darfur”. 

With the 11th African Union Summit commencing on 25 January, Deputy Prosecutor Bensouda said more could be done for the people of Darfur: “Crimes are still being committed in Darfur today.  Ahmad Harun and Ali Kushayb must be arrested now, the crimes must stop.  States Parties to the ICC, the United Nations, the African Union and other international organizations should not lose any opportunity to send strong messages to the Sudanese authorities.”

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 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.

Florence Olara
OTP Public Information Coordinator     

Nicola Fletcher
OTP Media Liaison

Source: Office of the Prosecutor