August, 27 2010, 08:52am EDT
The President of Sudan is the subject of an arrest warrant by the
International Criminal Court for genocide, crimes against humanity and
war crimes in Darfur.
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7413 5566,After hours: +44 7778 472 126,Email:,press@amnesty.org
Kenya Refuses to Arrest Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir
Amnesty International has criticized the Kenyan government for
its failure to arrest Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir during his visit
to the country to join celebrations ushering in Kenya's new constitution
today, viewing the refusal to arrest President al-Bashir as an
obstruction of justice for victims in Darfur.
LONDON
Amnesty International has criticized the Kenyan government for
its failure to arrest Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir during his visit
to the country to join celebrations ushering in Kenya's new constitution
today, viewing the refusal to arrest President al-Bashir as an
obstruction of justice for victims in Darfur.
The President of Sudan is the subject of an arrest warrant by the
International Criminal Court for genocide, crimes against humanity and
war crimes in Darfur.
"Kenya has regrettably followed the example of Chad, which violated
its obligations under international law by providing safe haven to
President Bashir during his visit to the country last month," said
Michelle Kagari, Deputy Director in Amnesty's Africa programme.
As Kenya has ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Court, the national authorities are obliged to cooperate with the Court,
including arresting persons it has charged.
Amnesty International regrets that African states - which led efforts
to create the Court - last month undermined their commitment to
international justice by renewing an African Union decision not to
arrest President al-Bashir.
"We are calling on those 31 African states that have ratified the
Rome Statute to support international justice and uphold efforts to
deliver justice, in particular in countries like Sudan where victims
have no prospect of justice before national courts."
Amnesty International is calling on all members of the international
community to ensure full accountability for international crimes
committed in Sudan.
"Kenya's failure to arrest President Bashir is a worrying indication
of its unwillingness to cooperate with the International Criminal
Court's new investigations and future prosecution of crimes committed in
Kenya during the post-election violence in 2007-2008," said Michelle
Kagari
"It is disturbing that the Kenyan government is celebrating a new
constitution - the national centre-piece of the rule of law - while
obstructing justice for victims of such serious human rights violations
in a neighbouring country."
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all. Our supporters are outraged by human rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world - so we work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity. We have more than 2.2 million members and subscribers in more than 150 countries and regions and we coordinate this support to act for justice on a wide range of issues.
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