Sudan Events – Agencies
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, stated that the past six months have witnessed further deterioration in the suffering and misery of the people of Darfur. “Famine is ongoing, the conflict is escalating, children are being targeted, and girls and women are being subjected to rape.”
Karim Khan added in his briefing to the UN Security Council that this deterioration is accelerating in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, pointing to serious allegations of further targeting of innocent civilians and attacks on vital civilian infrastructure like hospitals.
He said that international crimes are being committed without a doubt in Darfur, and that these crimes are used daily as weapons in the war. He emphasized that his statements are not just an analysis of the situation but are based on evidence and information.
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court expressed particular concern regarding the targeting of women and girls and the allegations of gender-based crimes. He confirmed that this issue is a priority and that his office has worked in the past six months to address the situation on the ground by improving efficiency and attempting to respond.
He continued, “This has been done through presence in Chad and other neighboring countries to Sudan, where the office gathered evidence from displaced communities regarding what they have suffered and witnessed. They also conducted interviews with witnesses. The office expanded the scope and volume of evidence collected from digital sources and videos, using technological tools to gain a better understanding of the connection between the alleged perpetrators, their structures, and crime patterns.”
The Prosecutor stated that his office is taking the necessary steps to submit requests for arrest warrants concerning the crimes allegedly committed in West Darfur. He confirmed that these requests will only be made after strong evidence is gathered to ensure the likelihood of conviction.
He emphasized the need for more cooperation to hand over those wanted by the International Criminal Court, including former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and other senior officials accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Karim Khan urged the Security Council to act decisively to address the escalating atrocities in Darfur and emphasized the urgent need to ensure justice and accountability as violence and human suffering continue to rise.
He called on the fifteen members of the council to reaffirm their commitment to the principles set by UN Security Council Resolution 1593, adopted 20 years ago, which referred the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court.
