PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Sudan shrugs off ICC decision to arrest Sudan’s Defense Minister
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Sudan has shrugged off the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue a warrant of arrest for its Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Mohamed Hussein, saying The Hague-based body has no jurisdiction over Sudan, a non-signatory to the statute establishing the court.
Sudan’s State Minister for Information Sanaa Hamad was quoted as saying her country was not surprised by the decision, because since the announcement made by outgoing ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Occampo last December, Khartoum knew events would lead to the issuance of the arrest warrant.
Minister Sanaa said Sudan’s declared position against the court’s ruling remains valid and that, like the United States, China, Russia and Israel and the rest of states that did not sign the charter establishing this court, the African country is not concerned with the decisions taken by it.
“Sudan considers the International Criminal Court a political tool, rather than a judicial entity that works for the interest of people,” the Minister was quoted by the official Sudan News Agency, SUNA, as saying.
The ICC issued the arrest warrant Thursday against the Sudanese Minister for 41 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur.
Judges at the Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber issued the arrest warrant against the former Interior Minister who was previously a Special aide to Sudanese President Hassan Omar El-Bashir in charge of the Darfur desk.
The crimes include persecution, murder, forcible transfer, rape, inhumane acts, imprisonment or severe deprivation of liberty and torture and 21 counts of war crimes, which include murder, attacks against civilian population.
The minister also faces charges of destruction of property, rape, pillaging and outrage upon personal dignity.
Judges said his arrest is necessary to ensure his appearance at trial and to ensure that he will not obstruct or endanger the investigations.
-0- PANA MO/SEG 2Mar2012
Sudan’s State Minister for Information Sanaa Hamad was quoted as saying her country was not surprised by the decision, because since the announcement made by outgoing ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Occampo last December, Khartoum knew events would lead to the issuance of the arrest warrant.
Minister Sanaa said Sudan’s declared position against the court’s ruling remains valid and that, like the United States, China, Russia and Israel and the rest of states that did not sign the charter establishing this court, the African country is not concerned with the decisions taken by it.
“Sudan considers the International Criminal Court a political tool, rather than a judicial entity that works for the interest of people,” the Minister was quoted by the official Sudan News Agency, SUNA, as saying.
The ICC issued the arrest warrant Thursday against the Sudanese Minister for 41 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur.
Judges at the Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber issued the arrest warrant against the former Interior Minister who was previously a Special aide to Sudanese President Hassan Omar El-Bashir in charge of the Darfur desk.
The crimes include persecution, murder, forcible transfer, rape, inhumane acts, imprisonment or severe deprivation of liberty and torture and 21 counts of war crimes, which include murder, attacks against civilian population.
The minister also faces charges of destruction of property, rape, pillaging and outrage upon personal dignity.
Judges said his arrest is necessary to ensure his appearance at trial and to ensure that he will not obstruct or endanger the investigations.
-0- PANA MO/SEG 2Mar2012
