Support the International Criminal Court's Work in Darfur

Since 2003 an armed conflict has been taking place in Darfur, Sudan, between the government of Sudan and several armed opposition groups. To counter the insurgency in Darfur, the government of Sudan has also mobilized, armed and funded militia known as Janjawid. More than 200,000 people have died in the four-year conflict in Darfur and over 2.5 million have been displaced from their homes.

In March 2005, the United Nations Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, and decided that "the Government of Sudan and all other parties to the conflict in Darfur, shall cooperate fully with and provide any necessary assistance to the Court and the Prosecutor pursuant to this resolution" (Resolution 1593 (2005)).

In May 2007, after a 20-month investigation, the ICC issued warrants of arrest for two people, Ahmad Muhammad Harun (Ahmad Harun) and Ali Muhammad Al Abd-Al-Rahman (Ali Kushayb). The arrest warrants refer to crimes allegedly committed between August 2003 and March 2004, during several attacks allegedly carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Janjawid on four West Darfur towns (Kodoom, Bindisi, Mukjar, Arawala) and surrounding areas. According to the arrest warrants, crimes were allegedly committed against civilians primarily from the Fur, Zaghawa and Masalit populations, resulting in the death of about 1000 people.

Ahmad Harun is currently Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs of Sudan. From 2003 to 2005 he was Minister of State for the Interior. In this capacity he was in charge of the management of the "Darfur Security desk" and coordinated the different bodies of the government involved in the counter-insurgency, including the police, the armed forces, the National Security and Intelligence Service.

According to the ICC arrest warrant, he allegedly recruited, mobilized, funded and armed the Janjawid, with full knowledge that they would commit crimes against humanity and war crimes against the civilian population in Darfur. He also allegedly personally incited the Janjawid to attack civilians. The arrest warrant against him lists 42 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including persecution, murder and forcible transfer.

Ali Kushayb is one of the most senior leaders of the Janjawid and a member of the Popular Defence Force. He was the "colonel of colonels" in the Wadi Salih locality of West Darfur. By mid-2003 he allegedly commanded thousands of Janjawid militias.

According to the ICC arrest warrant, Ali Kushayb allegedly led the attacks on the villages of Kodoom, Bindisi, Mukjar and Ararwala. He also allegedly enlisted, armed, funded and provided supplies to the Janjawid under his command. The arrest warrant against him lists 50 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including persecution, murder, attacks against the civilian population and forcible transfer.

Amnesty International is seriously concerned that in the last year, the government of Sudan has withdrawn cooperation with the ICC's investigations. Furthermore, the Sudanese government has repeatedly stated publicly that it will not surrender Ahmed Harun and Ali Kushayb to the Court.

In September 2007, in a step that was met with strong condemnation from human rights groups throughout the world, the Sudanese government appointed Ahmed Harun to co-chair a committee designated to hear complaints from victims of human rights abuses in Darfur. Then, in early October, the government announced that it had released Ali Kushayb (who was reported to have been arrested in Sudan in November 2006 on unspecified charges related to Darfur), for lack of evidence.

The ICC has no police force with which to execute warrants. If the indictees do not comply with warrants, the ICC needs to rely on cooperation by Sudan, other states and intergovernmental organizations.

It is a critical time to let the U.S. government, who plays a pivotal role on the Security Council, know that you support the ICC and its work on Darfur. Thank you for your action on this case.

To Take Further Action with Amnesty International USA

» Sign the Global Petition for Darfur and ask your friends and family to do the same: instantkarma.org.

» Host a Local Screening of AIUSA's newest film, Justice Without Borders. The film features a segment about the International Criminal Court and the ICC's current investigations in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. To watch the film online and signup to host a local screening, visit www.amnestyusa.org/justice.

Justice Without Borders explores the ICC's investigations of armed group leaders accused of enslaving children and forcing them to become soldiers. If you are interested in taking action in support of domestic legislation to stop the use of child soldiers, please visit amnestyusa.org/children.

» Request copies of the AIUSA postcard action in support of the ICC's work in Darfur. Simply contact ija@aiusa.org with your mailing address and the number of postcards you are requesting.