19.01.2026 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing by ICC on Darfur

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Thank you, Mr. President,

Thank you, Deputy Prosecutor Khan, for your briefing. We regret that this briefing could not be done in person due to visas not being issued (in time). This severely limits the opportunity for all of us to follow up on a referral this Council made to address the grave situation in Darfur.

I would also like to welcome the Permanent Representative of Sudan to the meeting today.

The war in Sudan has now raged for more than a thousand days.

A war that has driven its civilians to the breaking point, while creating the world’s largest humanitarian disaster. A war where systematic killings, sexual and gender-based violence and arbitrary detention and abductions have become daily life – in Darfur, and elsewhere in Sudan.

Over the past reporting period, we have seen El Fasher being stormed by the RSF, after more than 500 days of siege. This was accompanied by horrific reports of grave atrocities, shocking the conscience of our humanity. The horrific crimes underscore the need for the Office’s continued investigations. We welcome the extensive efforts of the Office to ensure the collection of evidence from these crimes. And now new atrocities threaten other regions. Ensuring full accountability for those responsible throughout Sudan, regardless of affiliation, is a crucial stepping stone for a peaceful future. Therefore, the ICC’s jurisdiction should also be expanded to cover all parts of Sudan.

We express our sincere gratitude to the affected communities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders that have provided the Office with information, which has led to the Office’s initial findings that both crimes against humanity and war crimes have been committed in El Fasher. We call on everyone who has information that can assist the Office’s investigations to submit this information through the secure platform that the Office has made available. 

Mr. President,

The conviction and sentencing of the Janjaweed leader, Mr. Abd-Al-Rahman, for war crimes and crimes against humanity represents a major milestone for the Court, and for this Council. The sentencing provides a glimmer of hope for the victims and survivors of atrocities in Sudan that justice may be slow – but can and will be served, and that the cycles of impunity in Sudan will come to an end. It also shows what can be achieved by collective action by the Council and the Court, and through cooperation by States, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

Mr. President,

While we welcome the increased cooperation and engagement by the Sudanese authorities, we underscore that these efforts must be extended to the arrest and surrender of the outstanding ICC arrest warrants. Namely Al Bashir, Hussein and Harun, in accordance with Sudan’s obligation to provide full cooperation pursuant to resolution 1593 (2005). 

We commend and welcome the Office’s continued and increased engagement with all relevant stakeholders, including civil society organisations, the UN and African Union Fact Finding Missions and the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. As reported, rape and other sexual crimes are being used as weapons of war. It is important that the Office continues to prioritise gender-based crimes and crimes against children.

And we also welcome the Office’s continued efforts to ensure the safety, security and well-being of victims and affected communities, and we condemn any threats of retaliation and reprisals against witnesses.

In conclusion, Denmark reiterates its unwavering support for the Court as independent judicial institution. Our commitment to defend the Court and the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute remains resolute.

I thank you.