The ICC has a key role in ensuring perpetrators are held accountable for crimes committed in Darfur: UK statement at the UN Security Council

First, the Prosecutor was clear that the conflict in Sudan has gone on for far too long.  

My Foreign Secretary saw the scale of the suffering for himself when he visited the Adre crossing on the Chad-Sudan border on Saturday. 

As the Foreign Secretary said, this is the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world.

For this reason, the UK has announced a further £20m in funding to assist with increased food production and life-saving sexual and reproductive health services for refugees fleeing Sudan.  

This builds on our announcement in November of the doubling of our aid to over £226m. 

These funds are delivering emergency food assistance to almost 800,000 displaced people.

They are providing improved access to shelter, drinking water, emergency healthcare and education.   

Further efforts to galvanise international support are also required.  

This is why my Foreign Secretary announced his intention to convene a meeting of foreign ministers to ensure aid gets to where it is needed most and to re-energise efforts to end this conflict.

Second, the International Criminal Court has a key role to play in ensuring perpetrators are held accountable for crimes committed in Darfur.

In that context, the United Kingdom welcomes the creation of a structured dialogue between the Office of the Prosecutor and Civil Society Organisations.  

This can help ensure that the voices of victims are heard.

We further welcome the conclusion of the Ali Kushayb trial in December 2024.  

As the first trial to be concluded in a Situation referred to the Court by the UN Security Council, this represents a historic milestone. 

We look forward to hearing updates on any further applications for arrest warrants.

Third, the UK reiterates our call for full cooperation with the Court.  

We welcome the constructive engagement by the Sudanese authorities with the ICC during this reporting period.  

We further urge them to cooperate with the ICC to ensure the arrest and surrender of those subject to outstanding arrest warrants: Omar Al Bashir, Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein and Ahmad Harun. 

Mr President, let me conclude by reiterating the UK’s continued support for the Court, and our respect for its independence.  

It is important that the ICC is able to carry out its important work in Darfur and elsewhere without interference.

Sanctioning the ICC in response to one of its decisions would impede its ability to carry out this important work, in Darfur, Venezuela, Ukraine and in all situations where the Court is active.