ICC Prosecutor Files Evidence of Crimes Committed in Darfur with the ICC

Press Stateme
For Immediate Release
February 27, 2007

ICC Prosecutor Files Evidence of Crimes Committed in Darfur with the ICC

Today the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo has submitted evidence, in connection with named individuals, of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Darfur region of western Sudan. The Prosecutor has filed the evidence of crimes committed in Darfur with the ICC judges in The Hague, Netherlands. This is a substantial step in the right direction to ending the suffering of the victims of the destructive armed conflict in Darfur. It comes in fulfilment of the requirements of UN Security Council resolution 1593 (2005) adopted on March 31st, 2005 and which referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC because it constitutes a threat to regional and international peace and security.
Since February 2003, the people of Darfur have undergone the worst humanitarian crisis in the world with serious implications on peace and security across Sudan’s international borders with Chad and the Central African Republic. A savage scorched-earth campaign of killing, destruction of livelihoods, pillaging, burning of villages and massive forced displacement has been continuing against civilian population in the region with total impunity. At present, Darfur witnesses total collapse of the rule of law and administration of justice with massive and systematic crimes committed against civilians everywhere in the region including the main towns of the region such as Nyala, El Fashir, El Ginena etc. The victims of such crimes have no possibility to access domestic judicial remedy.
The undersigned organizations fully support efforts of the ICC to start probing cases of violations of international criminal law in Darfur. We encourage the ICC Prosecutor to intensify his efforts for the submission of further evidence that leads to an expedited process to hold accountable high-ranking government officials that have sanctioned, organised, financed and supported the commission of ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. We strongly call upon all States member of the United Nations and other institutions to fully cooperate with the ICC in its efforts to render justice to the victims of the armed conflict in Darfur.


1. Darfur Call – The Hague, Netherlands
2. Darfur Centre for Human Rights and Development – London, UK
3. Darfur Relief and Documentation Centre – Geneva, Switzerland
4. Darfur Peace and Justice – Brussels, Belgium
5. Darfur Peace and Development – USA