International Court needs more power to bring Darfur war criminals to justice - Farron

6.14.52pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th Jun 2007

Local MP Tim Farron has condemned the Sudanese government for putting suspected war criminals beyond the reach of International Criminal Court. He has tabled a motion urging the UK and its international partners to take action in order to ensure that justice prevails in Darfur. The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently issued two arrest warrants against government minister Ahmad Harun and Janjawid leader Ali Kushayb suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur, Sudan. Tim hopes that, with the support of fellow MPs and human rights group Amnesty, more will be done to prevent the remit of the ICC being circumvented by the Sudanese authorities who have so far refused to allow the accused be tried for crimes including murder, rape and torture.

The Early Day Motion also notes that the 17th July will be the ninth anniversary of the international community's historical adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Tim leads fellow MPs in commending the court on the progress it has made, since its inception, in dealing with cases of suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Tim Farron said:

"War crimes in Darfur are an affront to humanity. The Sudanese government's decision to place war criminals above justice is outrageous. The ICC needs more power to ensure that war criminals can be brought to justice.

"By marking the ninth anniversary of the International Criminal Court we are provided with an excellent opportunity not only to celebrate the work of the court and the progress it has made over the last nine years but also take stock of the work that is left to be done.

"The ICC plays a crucial role in safeguarding human rights and facilitating justice. It cannot be underestimated how important it is for the future of international justice these principles are not allowed to be eluded in Darfur."