A founding member of the Banjul-based human rights body, the Foundation for Legal Aid Research (FLARE), on Wednesday called on countries that are signatories to the instrument that established the International Criminal Court (ICC) to cooperate with the International Tribunal and arrest Sudanese President, Omar al Bashir.
Almami Taal, the FLARE coordinator, said the warrant issued by the ICC on Wednesday for the arrest of President al Bashir was long over due. He said issues affecting the African continent are not seriously taken up by continental bodies, therefore he said the ICC should be a non-compromising and fearless advocate against leaders that are committing human rights violations against their own people.
He remarked, “I really believe that the era of accountability in the criminal justice area should be about bringing to account the leaders at the highest level.”
The human rights lawyer said most of the criminal activities that happen within borders or across borders in Africa are dealt with quite effectively; adding that there are a lot of instruments in respect of money laundering, drug trafficking and other white coloured crimes.
“But when it comes to human rights violations, crimes against humanity and crimes of genocide, there has been very little continental or trans-border instruments and processes that could actualize human rights for all in the continent,” he said.
He continued, “So the ICC issuing an arrest warrant against al Bashir cannot come at a better time; because people like al Bashir should be tried openly and before an international tribunal so that their crimes against their own people could have a chance of being punished.”
Taal further stated that when prosecutors at the ICC started the process against al Bashir, there has been a lot of talk in Africa that only Africans are subjected to this type of procedure. But he was quick to add that such a claim is rubbish, adding that everyone was happy when Radavan Karadvic was arrested after several years of indictment by the Court. Therefore, he said this process should not be seen as targeting Africans.
Courtesy of APA
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