The ICCSN has launched a campaign calling for the international community to support the ICC Chief Prosecutor's request for an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir for his involvement in the Darfuri crisis. The Chief Prosecutor has presented evidence of President Al-Bashir leadership in campaigns of mass murder and intimidation in Darfur, resulting in the death of up to 300,000 civilians and the displacement of up to 3 million.
The Rome Statute of the ICC contains a clause, known as Article 16, under which the UN Security Council reserves the right to suspend an ICC investigation. There have been recent indications that the UK, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is ready to support an Article 16 resolution, stopping the ICC investigation of crimes committed by President Al-Bashir. To do so would be a massive step backwards in the international battle against impunity. It would be a positive indication of the international community's unwillingness to bring justice to the people of Darfur, in a conflict that has gripped an entire generation.
Here's how you can help! As part of a global network of students, ICCSN has the power, as youth, to appeal to the decision-makers of the UK. Best of all, it takes no time at all.
1. Visit www.writetothem.com, enter your UK postcode.
2. Choose your MP or member of the House of Lords.
3. Write them a letter. You can use the sample ICCSN letter at the bottom of this message, but letters are far more effective if they are personalized!
4. Send away (and let us know about it)!
Students are the future, and together we can affect the highest level decision makers in this country. It's not every day that MPs receive letters from students about the ICC.
There are two renditions of letter samples that we have created for your convenience. Please take the time to review both and choose the one that suits you best. Thank you!
Option one (download)
Option two (copied below)
Dear XXXXXX,
As member of the International Criminal Court Student Network and a member of your constituency, I am writing to raise my concern over recent indications that the UK government is willing to support a UN Security Council resolution to suspend the International Criminal Court's (ICC) indictment against Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir.
It has been almost three months since the Chief Prosecutor of the ICC issued a request for an indictment against Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir on counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It has been three years since the UN Security Council referred the case of Darfur to the ICC. Most importantly, it has been almost six years since the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur has paralyzed both the region, and the lives of this generation of Sudanese youth.
With as many as 300,000 deaths, 3 million people displaced, there is little time left to waste. How many more years must pass before the international community unites to act on Darfur?
Article 16 of the Rome Statute was intended to be a mechanism for suspending ICC investigations if peace and security concerns compel international leaders to delay legal proceedings and the search for justice. It was not intended to be abused by suspected perpetrators to threaten to commit further crimes unless investigations were suspended. It is shameful that the UK government is allowing threats from Khartoum to push us to even consider backing calls to invoke Article 16.
The arrest warrants issued by the ICC were issued in accordance with the Court's mandate to end impunity around the world, and bring the perpetrators of the most heinous crimes to justice. It is only when international leaders stand united in their support for the work of the ICC, supported by the evidence available, that we can hope for lasting peace. The UN Security Council must not employ Article 16 prematurely, unless there is sufficient evidence to indicate that President Al-Bashir has, indeed, reversed his policy of brutality and genocide. Thus far, there has been no evidence to show any change in the Khartoum policy towards Darfuris.
I sincerely urge you, as my representative in the UK government, to resist any inclination to compromise the quest of justice in Darfur. Employing the UK's veto power in the Security Council, it is critical that this power is used to secure positive change, and block any politically-motivated attempts to suspend the indictment of President Al-Bashir. Indeed, ending impunity and securing justice must stand independently of political considerations.
Sincerely,
XXXXX