Up to 300,000 have died and 2.5 million have fled to refugee camps since 2003 in Sudan's internal conflict.
The U.N. Security Council has mobilized the International Criminal Court (ICC) to indict two people who have allegedly committed crimes against humanity.
Ali Kushayb led the Janjaweed militia to kill and rape civilians and burn down their homes and shops. Ahmad Harun, former Sudanese Minister of State for the interior, aided the Janjawed militia and directed the government apparatus against civilians thought to support rebels.
Despite the ICC's demands, the Sudanese government refuses to hand over these criminals. In fact, Harun was recently appointed to Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, where he oversees aid that goes to the people he ravaged.
Members of the U.N. Security Council will need to do more than plead if Harun and Kushayb are to be brought to justice. Tell the U.S. Ambassador to use pressure and public condemnation to put these war criminals before the International Criminal Court.
I want to thank you for the work you have done to bring peace to Darfur. Pushing for sanctions against Sudan if it does not agree to a U.N.-African Union peacekeeping operation is an effective step toward change in Darfur.
However, the Sudanese government requires similar pressure and condemnation if it is ever going to hand over its two indicted war criminals. The crimes against humanity committed in Sudan have been atrocious. Those indicted, Ali Kushayb and Ahmad Harun, as well as others being investigated, are allegedly responsible for indiscriminate attacks against civilians, murder, torture, enforced disappearances, destruction of villages, rape, pillage and forced displacement. Trying these men for their crimes is essential to the peace process, in Darfur and in the rest of Africa.
Ali Kushayb, "colonel of colonels" of the Janjaweed militia, allegedly led "ethnic cleansing" operations in Wadi Saleh as well as attacks on civilian villages, mass rape, and mass execution.
Ahmad Harun, former Minister of State for the Interior, has allegedly coordinated and directed a counter insurgency against civilians thought to support the rebels. Not only did he allegedly recruit, mobilize, and fund the Janjaweed militia, but he also employed government entities such as the Sudanese armed forces and intelligence and security services in this attack against civilians.
Both are free and Harun is now appointed to State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, overseeing aid that goes to the people he ravaged. People involved in this conflict must see that those who commit atrocities will face the consequences. I urge you to do anything in your power to make sure these criminals are tried for their allegedly horrendous crimes.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
