On Feb. 22, 2007, International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo presented evidence to the court alleging that Ahmed Haroun, Sudan’s former state minister of the interior, and a leader of the janjaweed militia named Ali Kushayb “jointly committed crimes against the civilian population in Darfur.” Haroun and Kushayb are both charged with 51 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Darfur, which lies in the Western region of Sudan, has been the site of a violent humanitarian crisis for the past four years. In 2003, two non-Arab rebel groups launched attacks against the predominantly Arab government of Sudan over claims of widespread discrimination. In response to these attacks, the Sudanese government armed a militia known as the janjaweed and began a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the non-Arabs in Darfur.
The Sudanese government has reacted unfavourably to the news that the ICC is charging Haroun and Kushayb with crimes against humanity and war crimes. According to Amnesty International, Sudan’s minister of justice, Mohamed Ali al-Mardi, has gone as far as refusing to recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC. To complicate matters further, many powerful countries-including the United States-oppose the very existence of the ICC.
Considering that neither Sudan nor the U.S. acknowledge the legitimacy of the ICC, it is likely that the outcome of the criminal proceedings against Haroun and Kushayb will be merely symbolic. However, it would be a serious mistake to downplay the importance-symbolic or not-of the allegations the ICC has made in this case. Sudan has consistently hindered efforts by the international community to implement peacekeeping programs in Darfur. Leaders of the African Union, currently the military presence in Darfur, have been saying for months that they need military support from the UN. Opposition from the Sudanese government is the main reason UN troops have not already been deployed to help stop the systematic killing currently underway.
By accusing Haroun and Kushayb of crimes against humanity, ICC prosecutors are officially, legally and vocally denouncing the acts of the janjaweed as well as the Sudanese government for collaborating with the militia. When Moreno-Ocampo presented evidence against Haroun and Kushayb, he concluded by writing, “Our work sends a signal: those who commit atrocities can not do so with impunity.” Considering that the UN has not done enough to promote peace in Darfur and that the Sudanese government appears to be calling the shots diplomatically, the fact that prosecutors in the ICC are strongly and unequivocally denouncing the situation in Darfur is an important and much-needed step towards stopping the violence.
Canada must follow the example of the ICC prosecutors and take a strong stance against the atrocities in Darfur. As Canadians, we cannot let the Sudanese government continue to hijack the international community’s commitment to protecting citizens from crimes against humanity.
This Thursday, March 22, students from all across Toronto will be sending this message to Prime Minister Harper when they participate in the “Dial for Darfur” campaign. All day, students will call the Prime Minister’s Office and demand the following: that Canada take a more active diplomatic role in brokering an inclusive peace agreement in Darfur, that Canada supply AU troops in Darfur with much-needed military equipment (such as fighter jets), and that the Canadian government speak out to ensure that Sudan stops blocking UN forces from being deployed to Darfur in support of the AU troops.
On campus, calling booths will be set up in Sidney Smith Hall, the Bahen Centre, the Wolfond Centre, and the Faculty of Law on March 22. Additionally, anyone can reach Stephen Harper by dialing (613) 992-4211. I encourage everyone at U of T to make the call.
Estée Fresco is the Media Officer for STAND U of T (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur).
