In a statement on Thursday, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan declared the commencement of an investigation into reports of a mass grave in Sudan’s West Darfur province, where at least 87 bodies have been discovered.
The United Nations (UN) referred the situation in Sudan’s Darfur region to the Hague-based court in 2005. Consequently, an inquiry into reported genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes was initiated. Numerous individuals have been indicted by the court, including the former President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted from power in 2019.
The ICC has issued two arrest warrants for al-Bashir in relation to charges encompassing genocide and war crimes. However, al-Bashir remains at large.
Khan underscored that the ICC retains jurisdiction to investigate the crimes committed in Darfur. He also stated that they are scrutinising the violence perpetrated since the outbreak of confrontations between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Security Forces on 15 April. The inquiries encompass allegations of looting, extrajudicial killings, and house burnings in West Darfur, and various claims from North Darfur.
The UN, citing reliable evidence, stated that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces and an allied militia were responsible. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the murders and called for a “prompt, thorough and independent investigation.”
Former Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who was accused of genocide by the ICC prosecutors, has been protected on two visits to Turkey despite being a wanted person. Turkey, which has not signed the ICC agreement, does not see itself as accountable in this situation. However, al-Bashir had previously requested a visit during President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s term, but was declined.
