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Sudan: UN Genocide Expert Disappointed with Sudan's Special Court On Darfur Crimes

20 Dec 2005

Please find below excerpts from an article on UN Special Advisor on Genocide Juan Mendez's impressions on Sudan's efforts to deal with Darfur crimes. A link to the full text is available below.

Please take note of the Coalition's policy on situations before the ICC (below), which explicitly states that the CICC will not take a position on potential or pending situations before the Court. The Coalition, however, will continue to provide the most up-to-date information about the ICC.

Regards,
Eleanor Thompson
Program Assistant
Coalition for the ICC

Sudan's Special Court On Darfur Crimes Not Satisfactory, UN Genocide Expert Says UN News Service (New York) - December 16, 2005 http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200512170003.html

"A United Nations genocide expert today voiced disappointment in the efforts of Sudan's Government to address the crimes committed in the country's western Darfur region [.].

The UN Security Council has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to probe the situation, but earlier this week, the Sudanese Government indicated that it would not cooperate with the ICC.

Speaking to reporters in New York, Juan Mendez, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, pointed out that this was not an option but a legal obligation. "I have consistently stressed that ensuring accountability is an essential element of genocide prevention," said Mr. Mendez, who visited Darfur in September. [.] He added that if the Khartoum Government refuses to cooperate with the ICC then "the Security Council should take appropriate action." [.]"

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The Coalition for the ICC is not an organ of the Court. The CICC is an independent NGO movement dedicated to the establishment of the International Criminal Court as a fair, effective, and independent international organization. The Coalition will continue to provide the most up-to-date information about the ICC and to help coordinate global action to effectively implement the Rome Statute of the ICC. The Coalition will also endeavor to respond to basic queries and to raise awareness about the ICC's trigger mechanisms and procedures, as they develop. The Coalition as a whole, and its secretariat, do not endorse or promote specific investigations or prosecutions or take a position on situations before the ICC. However, individual CICC members may endorse referrals, provide legal and other support on investigations, or develop partnerships with local and other organizations in the course of their efforts.

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