Sudan/UN

ICC issues warrant for al-Beshir but not for genocide

Article published on the 2009-03-04 Latest update 2009-03-04 13:40 TU

Omar al-Beshir
(Photo: Reuters)

The International Criminal Court in the Hague has issued an arrest warrant for Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur but judges did not include the charge of genocide. Hundreds of Sudanese demonstrated against the warrant as soon as it was announced. Sudan has rejected the decision and called it "neo-colonialist".

"Today, pre-trial chamber one of the International Criminal Court [...] issued a warrant for the President of Sudan for war crimes and crimes against humanity," said court spokesperson Laurence Blairon.

She said that al-Beshir is "suspected of having co-ordinated the design and implementation of the counter-insurgency campaign" and used his control of the Sudanese state "to secure the implementation of the counter-insurgency campaign".

The charges against al-Beshir fall under two headings.

The first, "crimes against humanity" lists murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture and rape.

The second, "war crimes", "lists intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population" or against civilians not taking part in conflict and pillaging.

But the warrant does not include the charge of genocide.

The judges ruled that there was not sufficent proof to press the charge but said that they would consider further evidence if it is presented by the prosecution.

Al-Beshir is the first head of state to be the subject of an ICC arrest warrant. Sudan does not recognise the court and has already announced that it will not co-operate with the warrants.

The court does not have an enforcement apparatus and has appealed to states which recognise it to detain al-Beshir if they are able to.