New York, January 27, 2025: ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan emphasized the crucial role of collaboration between the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in ensuring justice and fostering peace, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Darfur.
During his address, Mr. Khan underscored that the synergy between the ICC and the UNSC is vital for addressing grave crimes and supporting victims. Darfur, which has endured decades of severe human rights violations, stands as a critical example of how the ICC-UNSC partnership can deliver accountability and hope to affected communities.
Accountability and the Fight Against Impunity
The Prosecutor issued a stark warning against actions that undermine the ICC, stating that such moves weaken global accountability mechanisms. He stressed that any erosion of the ICC’s authority would hinder justice for victims of atrocities worldwide, including those in Darfur. Justice and accountability, he argued, are fundamental to breaking the cycle of violence that has long plagued the region.
The Trial of Ali Kushayb: A Beacon of Hope
Mr. Khan highlighted the landmark ICC trial of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, for crimes committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004. He noted that this trial has reassured the people of Darfur that they are not forgotten, affirming:
“They are not airbrushed out of public consciousness.”
The Prosecutor praised the resilience and determination of the Darfuri people, acknowledging their vital role in ensuring justice and accountability.
A Call to Action: Delivering on Resolution 1593
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Khan urged the international community to uphold its moral and legal responsibility to deliver justice. He called for decisive action to fulfill the promise of UNSC Resolution 1593, which referred the Darfur situation to the ICC:
“The people of Darfur are in danger, and they have a right to justice. It is time to deliver on the promise of Resolution 1593.”
Mr. Khan further emphasized the urgency of preventing the recurring cycle of despair that has plagued generations of Darfuris, urging collective global efforts to secure sustainable peace.
DNHR’s Perspective: Justice Cannot Wait
The Darfur Network for Human Rights (DNHR) echoes Mr. Khan’s call for justice, stressing that Darfuris have waited far too long for accountability. The atrocities of 2003 and the renewed violence in 2023 demand immediate action from the international community.
This pivotal moment calls for solidarity with the people of Darfur and a commitment to prioritize justice and human rights as the foundation for sustainable peace. Justice delayed must not become justice denied.
The DNHR urges global institutions and states to strengthen their resolve in holding perpetrators accountable, ensuring that the promise of justice becomes a reality for Darfur.