Secretary-General deeply concerned about sudan’s reported

lack of cooperation with International Criminal Court

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

Following the presentation to the Security Council of the Seventh Report on the situation in Darfur by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the reported lack of cooperation of the Government of Sudan with the Prosecutor.  Security Council resolution 1593 (2005), which was adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter, requires Sudan to “cooperate fully with and provide any necessary assistance to the Court and the Prosecutor (…)”.  This includes an obligation to arrest and surrender the indicted individuals.

The Secretary-General urges the Government of Sudan to comply with its international obligations and cooperate with the International Criminal Court.

The Secretary-General is convinced that there can be no sustainable peace without justice.  Peace and justice go hand in hand.  Impunity for the serious crimes committed in Darfur cannot be accepted.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record