Darfur: Blueprint for Genocide - Archipielago Libertad

cooperation of the GoS.” 88 In other words, the GoS has
the UN over a barrel. Because the world does not have
the moral strength to end impunity or protect the
vulnerable, we hav e to rely on probable sponsors of
genocide to prov ide security.
The people responsible should be named – the likes of
Colonel Ahmed M. Haroon. He was responsible for many
massacres in the Nuba mountains during the 1990s. He
was not brought to justice and today conducts atrocities
again - this time in Darfur.
The Nation State makes up the w orld order we have, but
despite progress in recent y ears and the desire to take
prev ention seriously, the Darfur crisis shows what an
imperfect system it is. Lack of resolve to live up to moral
and political obligations, or to uphold international law,
means that in Leo Kuper’s words, states still have the
“sovereign right to commit genocide”. 89
88 In a letter to Dr James Smith, CEO Aegis Trust, dated 14
September 2004.
89 Kuper, L (1980) Genocide, New Haven: CT: Yale University Press,
p. 119.
‘States still have the
sovereign right to
commit genocide.’
Summary
Section 5: Ending Impunity
Impunity in a genocidal situation is a brother to
insecurity . Upholding international law at an early
stage in the genocidal process may deter the
perpetrators. Reporting and inv estigations are
important but do not end impunity on their ow n.
They must lead to a judicial process. Leav ing this to
the GoS is not ending impunity in Darfur.
Perpetrators must be faced w ith a credible
mechanism by w hich their actions could lead to a
conv iction in a court of law w hether that be through
the ICC, an ad hoc tribunal or another alternativ e
solution.
Recommendations
The UK Gov ernment should make clear that it has
resolv e to promote justice, both broadly for the
people of Darfur by supporting long term equality
and political empowerment.
Also specifically by upholding international law in
bringing perpetrators to account. This intension
should hav e been stated from the outset.
When the International Commission of Inquiry
publishes its findings, the UK Gov ernment should
be prepared to robustly support it at the Security
Council. Following the embroilment in Iraq, this will
not be so easy, but it represents an opportunity to
support the UN instruments to prev ent genocide.
There should be a referral of the Darfur situation by
the UN Security Council to the Prosecutor’s Office
of the International Criminal Court.
It is understood that this w ill be difficult, giv en the
opposition of the US and other states. If other states
v eto a referral, doing nothing to bring justice must
not be an option. While large tribunals distant from
the country w here crimes w ere committed may not
be the most effectiv e method, other alternativ es
should be pursued.
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