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Statement on the ICC’s work on Darfur

Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the meeting on the Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan

Thank you President.

Prosecutor Khan, thank you very much for your report and thank you for reminding us once again why justice matters. I welcome the representative of Sudan to the meeting.

Mr. President,

I will start by reiterating Slovenia’s strong and unwavering support for the International Criminal Court. The Court and its officials must be able to continue their work independently and impartially, without threats or sanctions. International law, justice and peace depend on it. It is crucial that this message is also sent by the Members of this Council.

Mr. President,

Regarding the situation in Darfur, allow me to make the following points.

The scale of violence, mass displacement, famine, indiscriminate targeting of civilians, brutal attacks on IDP camps, sexual and gender-based crimes, and crimes against children – both in Darfur and across Sudan – has reached unprecedented levels of horror.

The appalling attack on the Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital in El Fasher, which reportedly claimed the lives of at least 70 people, is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crime, undermining the fundamental principles that protect civilians and uphold human dignity in the times of conflict. And I repeat, 70 people in a maternal hospital – how could this ever be justified?

As the Prosecutor has noted, wide range of crimes under the Rome Statute have been and continue to be committed against the people in Darfur.

We reiterate our urgent call for all parties to immediately and unconditionally cease the hostilities. We remind all parties of their obligation to respect international humanitarian law in all circumstances and at all times. And those responsible for its violations must be held accountable.

In this regard, we recognize the progress made by the Prosecutor in his investigation in West Darfur and efforts to collect and preserve evidence of alleged crimes in North Darfur.  We commend and encourage continued focus be given to crimes against children and to sexual and gender-based crimes.

We note the intention of the Prosecutor to apply for additional arrest warrants and we call on all states to ensure immediate execution of all arrest warrants, in line with the resolution 1593. It is high time for steps to be taken that can be felt by those on the ground and to stop delaying justice.

We commend the continued efforts of the Prosecutor to deepen engagement with the civil society and welcome new initiatives in this regard. We call for further support, including financial, for the civil society organizations seeking to engage with the Court. Victim-centered approach while ensuring protection and support empowers survivors and is extremely important for the people in Darfur.

Mr. President,

We are particularly struck by the observation in the Prosecutor’s report that the crimes ongoing in Darfur are a reproduction – in the types of criminal conduct, the affected communities, and the alleged perpetrators – of the atrocities that this Council’s referred to the ICC over two decades ago. Do we need more evidence that without justice, we cannot achieve lasting peace?

Darfur shows that impunity only breeds further atrocities and their repetition is a grim reminder of the cost of inaction. Two decades ago, the Council showed its resolve and acted. Despite differing views on accountability mechanisms, surely we can agree that atrocities must stop.

We acknowledge the reported improved cooperation of the Government of Sudan with the Office of the Prosecutor and strongly urge Sudanese authorities to promptly implement all outstanding arrest warrants.

Mr. President,

Without the Security Council referral and without the states’ cooperation, the Ali Kushayb trial would not have happened. Its conclusion will mark an important milestone in the cooperation between the Council and the ICC, which further proves that for peace we need justice. It is a strong message to victims, to survivors and to perpetrators that impunity would not be tolerated.

I thank you.

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