The trial of Mr Abd-Al-Rahman has allowed victims and witnesses to courageously tell their stories and to demonstrate to other sufferers that justice can be shipped. Such progress is an example of how strong cooperation with all the ICC can translate into meaningful action. It is therefore deeply disappointing that sufficient cooperation continues to be lacking from the Sudanese regulators, despite their reassurances to the Chief Prosecutor during their visits to Sudan. Thirdly, the united kingdom calls on the Sudanese professionals to respond swiftly to the Court’s outstanding requests for assistance, noting that 34 demands currently remain outstanding, without responses received in the current confirming period.
Finally, Mr President, we welcome plus encourage the continuation of cooperation between the Court and third States, which has proved vital, particularly in the absence of sufficient cooperation from the Sudanese authorities. The UK urges the Sudanese authorities to immediately enhance their cooperation with the Court, in three areas in particular:
Firstly, we call on the Sudanese authorities to supply prompt access to Sudan, including unimpeded access to documentary records and witnesses relevant to the particular Court’s investigations. Thank you. President, I thank the Prosecutor for the thirty-sixth record on the Situation in Darfur, pursuant to Resolution 1593 and for his presentation today. Secondly, an everlasting presence is vital for the Office of the Prosecutor to deepen its engagement with impacted communities. We therefore urge the Sudanese authorities to assist facilitate the establishment of the field office in Khartoum, and to remove the unnecessary bureaucratic impediments preventing Court personnel from being granted multiple-entry visas to Sudan and also to give access to ICC employees to Darfur. We welcome the quick progress made in the test of Mr Abd-Al-Rahman as a historic step towards searching for accountability for survivors and affected communities in Darfur after many years. In this light, the UK would like to commend the ICC’s tireless commitment for more compared to 17 years to help deliver justice for the people associated with Darfur. More powerful engagement would demonstrate which the Sudanese authorities are serious about delivering their commitments upon transitional justice, as outlined in the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement and the initial Framework Agreement signed 5th Dec 2022. The UK would like to reiterate our support to the Court in delivering justice for your people of Darfur. In this respect, we call for action to deliver on the four ICC arrest warrants which remain outstanding within the Darfur situation, and we carry on and call for the surrender associated with Mr Banda, who remains a fugitive from proper rights.
