With my little 6 month old Rachael on my hip, wrapped in her baby sling, we ventured to join a protest in D.C. against the ongoing violence in Darfur. That was almost four years ago, and sadly, little has changed in that region. Today, however, is a good day, for if Al-Bashir, the president of Sudan, steps foot outside his country, he could very well be arrested. This may not stop the violence happening in Darfur, but it sends a strong message, the world is watching.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (CNN) — The International Criminal Court at the Hague issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for a five-year campaign of violence in Darfur.
It is the first arrest warrant ever issued for a sitting head of state by the world’s only permanent war crimes tribunal.
Bashir is charged with seven counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes. The warrant does not mention genocide, but the court may issue an amended warrant to include that charge later, ICC spokeswoman Laurence Blairon said.
Five counts are for crimes against humanity and include murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture, and rape, Blairon said. The other two are for war crimes, for intentionally directing attacks against civilians and for pillaging.
This is great news, Elena. Thanks. And good on you for standing against the genocide. It would be nice if they didn’t have to wait until he set foot outside the country though.
I know ShellyB, it is frustrating, especially when the violence is still happening. CNN also had another video of a young man who had been forced to join the Army. One of the directives from his commander was to rape children, some girls as young as 10. The intent being to scare people so much they would flee, never to return. Rape is often used as a tool of war, just disgusting.