ICC to rule March 4 on arrest warrant for Sudan president

[struggle4progress]

Source: AFP

THE HAGUE (AFP) — The International Criminal Court said on Monday that it will rule next week on whether to issue a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir for alleged war crimes in Darfur.

A pre-trial chamber of judges said it "would issue on Wednesday, March 4, its decision concerning the prosecution application" for a warrant for Beshir, a court statement said.

ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo asked the court last July for an arrest warrant for the Sudanese president on charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Sudan's war-torn western region.

If the warrant is granted and an arrest carried out, Beshir would become the first sitting head of state to be hauled before the ICC, based in The Hague ...

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gfMsNOLF340lCr3pYiW44-hpdPSw

[BunkerHill24]

1. I don't want minimize the situation in Darfur

But there are were whole lot of innocent people killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. So, when will the Hague issue arrest warrant for these crimes?

[struggle4progress]

2. Figuring out how to get the ICC to and through the Senate might be a good start

[DrDebug]

3. Never, because they do not have any jurisdiction

1. George W. Bush has unsigned the treaty prior to the invasion of Iraq
2. No cases prior to July 2003 are acceptable to the ICC which rules out Afghanistan.
3. Even the United States resigns and ratifies the treaty, it cannot be used to retrospectively and thus rules out Iraq once more.

Edit: cannot of course

[BunkerHill24]

5. Well, I guess same goes for Sudan

Sudan does not recognize the ICC, as Sudan is not among the signatories of ICC membership.

[pampango]

4. Great news. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. n/t