Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Mr. President,
And let me also thank Deputy Prosecutor Khan for her briefing.
I also welcome the Representative of Sudan to our meeting today.
Mr. President,
The conflict in Sudan continues to spiral out of control with devastating consequences for the civilian population. Last month, we were briefed about the urgent situation in El Obeid. Our message then was clear, and it remains so today: we must ensure that El Obeid does not become another El Fasher. We call on all parties to protect civilians, ensure access for humanitarian actors to El Obeid and allow free and safe passage for all those seeking to flee. We furthermore call on all relevant States to cease the supply of weapons that prolong this war and to use their influence on the parties to prevent further atrocities.
We must also ensure that accountability is pursued and the cycle of impunity is broken, not just in Darfur but across Sudan. Killings and targeted attacks on civilians, persecution and sexual violence are the same atrocities regardless whether they are committed in El Fasher or El Obeid.
Against this backdrop, Denmark reiterates its call for the mandate of the ICC to be expanded to all of Sudan.
Mr. President,
We welcome the substantial progress made by the Office in its investigation into crimes committed in Al Geneina and its surrounding areas, including in linking crimes to high-level perpetrators.
We also welcome the progress made in the collection of evidence from the horrific crimes committed in El Fasher and the good cooperation between the Office of the Prosecutor, the UN Fact Finding Mission and the AU Fact Finding Mission for the Sudan in this regard. As sexual and gender-based violence continues to rage throughout Sudan, we also commend and support the Office’s prioritisation of investigating gender-based crimes and crimes against children.
Mr. President,
Last year’s conviction and sentencing of Janjaweed leader, Mr. Abd-Al-Rahman was a major milestone. Now, the path to justice for his victims must be followed up with reparations. Denmark welcomes that proceedings for reparations have been initiated and a hearing has been scheduled. We call on all States - including those who referred the Darfur situation to the ICC as members of this Council - to offer their assistance in securing reparations for the victims and survivors.
We welcome the Sudanese authorities’ continued engagement and cooperation with the Office, including through its responses to requests for information and facilitating visits to Sudan. However, we continue to underscore that these efforts must be extended to the arrest and surrender of the outstanding ICC arrest warrants. Namely those regarding Messrs. Al Bashir, Hussein and Harun, in accordance with Sudan’s obligations under resolution 1593. Only then a larger number of the victims of the violence that shook the country more than 20 years ago can see justice being done.
We note in this regard that the Office of the Prosecutor “continues to dedicate investigative (…) resources” to these matters. We encourage the Office to follow up on its earlier announcements that “the finalisation of investigative (…) activities in relation to these files will be a priority.”
Mr. President,
Denmark commends the Office’s continued engagement with civil society organisations and affected communities. Their work on the ground is essential in securing leads and expanding sources of information and evidence, often under extremely difficult circumstances. We highly appreciate their invaluable insights.
Mr. President,
This is the last regular Darfur briefing by the Office of the Prosecutor that Denmark will participate in during our current term of the Security Council. As was the case during our last term, back in 2005-2006, we are led by the strong belief that accountability for the gravest crimes is not only a matter of justice for victims, it is an essential safeguard against future atrocities.
When we started our current term in January 2025, the Office of the Prosecutor announced that it was seeking to submit several applications for new arrest warrants in relation to ongoing crimes in Darfur. This kind of accountability action is needed after more than three years of new conflict and atrocities. We need to jointly send a clear and loud message to those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, that they will be held to account.
This will also send a message to the people of Sudan, that they have a right to justice and that the international community stands firmly behind them.
Mr. President, in closing,
Denmark reiterates its unwavering support for the Court as an independent judicial institution.
Our commitment to defend the Court and the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute remains resolute.
I thank you.
