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Remarks by Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, U.S. Alternate Representative to the United Nations for Special Political Affairs, at a UN Security Council meeting on Darfur and the International Criminal Court, December 15, 2011
Jeffrey DeLaurentis
United States Ambassador and Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs New York, NY
December 15, 2011
AS DELIVERED
The United States places a high priority on promoting lasting peace for all of the people of Sudan. Accountability is an essential component for achieving this durable peace, and the absence of it not only harms the people of Darfur, but impedes stability in Sudan.
As this Council confronts the on-going aerial bombardments conducted by Sudanese Armed Forces in Darfur, Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, and across the border in South Sudan, it is important to reflect on the incomplete nature of justice for crimes committed in Darfur. The need to ensure accountability for those responsible for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Darfur is not just a moral imperative but a political one: the lack of accountability for such actions remains a strong negative precedent that continues to influence the conduct of the parties today.
It is in this spirit that we thank Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo for his report and briefing to the Council here today. We are deeply concerned by the portions of his report detailing allegations that could be part of “ongoing acts of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.” In particular, we find deeply disturbing the reports being monitored by the Prosecutor’s office of alleged attacks either targeting or indiscriminately affecting civilians by pro-government forces. These include allegedly indiscriminate shootings in North Darfur IDP camps as well as alleged kidnappings and executions in Abu Zereiga.
Once again, the report highlights the continued presence of children in various forces, including pro-government forces and rebel movements.
Like the Prosecutor, we continue to be concerned by ongoing reports of widespread sexual and gender-based violence in Darfur and of instances of victimization of female IDPs and refugees.
Furthermore, we are troubled by reports of continued attacks on UNAMID, including the six UNAMID peacekeepers killed since the Prosecution’s last report. We urge the Government of Sudan to investigate these attacks, which may amount to war crimes, and prosecute those individuals responsible.
We take note that on December 2 the Prosecutor requested that the ICC Pre-trial Chamber to issue an arrest warrant against Sudanese Defense Minister, Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein, for his alleged responsibility for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur from August 2003-March 2004.
We again remind states of the importance of ending impunity and cooperating fully with the investigations. We continue to call on the Government of Sudan and all other parties to the conflict in Darfur to cooperate fully with the ICC and its Prosecutor, as required by UN Security Council Resolution 1593 (2005). We are concerned with the continued non-cooperation by the Government of Sudan with these obligations, which is detailed in the Prosecutor’s report.
We also strongly urge the Government of Sudan to uphold its commitments under the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur signed between the Government of Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement to ensure accountability. We strongly urge the parties to implement the Doha Document in a full and transparent manner.
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PRN: 2011/315
Jeffrey DeLaurentis
United States Ambassador and Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs New York, NY
December 15, 2011
AS DELIVERED
The United States places a high priority on promoting lasting peace for all of the people of Sudan. Accountability is an essential component for achieving this durable peace, and the absence of it not only harms the people of Darfur, but impedes stability in Sudan.
As this Council confronts the on-going aerial bombardments conducted by Sudanese Armed Forces in Darfur, Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, and across the border in South Sudan, it is important to reflect on the incomplete nature of justice for crimes committed in Darfur. The need to ensure accountability for those responsible for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Darfur is not just a moral imperative but a political one: the lack of accountability for such actions remains a strong negative precedent that continues to influence the conduct of the parties today.
It is in this spirit that we thank Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo for his report and briefing to the Council here today. We are deeply concerned by the portions of his report detailing allegations that could be part of “ongoing acts of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.” In particular, we find deeply disturbing the reports being monitored by the Prosecutor’s office of alleged attacks either targeting or indiscriminately affecting civilians by pro-government forces. These include allegedly indiscriminate shootings in North Darfur IDP camps as well as alleged kidnappings and executions in Abu Zereiga.
Once again, the report highlights the continued presence of children in various forces, including pro-government forces and rebel movements.
Like the Prosecutor, we continue to be concerned by ongoing reports of widespread sexual and gender-based violence in Darfur and of instances of victimization of female IDPs and refugees.
Furthermore, we are troubled by reports of continued attacks on UNAMID, including the six UNAMID peacekeepers killed since the Prosecution’s last report. We urge the Government of Sudan to investigate these attacks, which may amount to war crimes, and prosecute those individuals responsible.
We take note that on December 2 the Prosecutor requested that the ICC Pre-trial Chamber to issue an arrest warrant against Sudanese Defense Minister, Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein, for his alleged responsibility for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur from August 2003-March 2004.
We again remind states of the importance of ending impunity and cooperating fully with the investigations. We continue to call on the Government of Sudan and all other parties to the conflict in Darfur to cooperate fully with the ICC and its Prosecutor, as required by UN Security Council Resolution 1593 (2005). We are concerned with the continued non-cooperation by the Government of Sudan with these obligations, which is detailed in the Prosecutor’s report.
We also strongly urge the Government of Sudan to uphold its commitments under the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur signed between the Government of Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement to ensure accountability. We strongly urge the parties to implement the Doha Document in a full and transparent manner.
###
PRN: 2011/315