NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: In April 2022, the first trial into atrocities committed in Sudan’s Darfur region began at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Several sessions of the trial at the ICC are scheduled to continue this month. I made the transcript of a powerful video here below.
Video by Human Rights Watch
Posted at YouTube on 29 March 2022
Title: ICC trial of Ali Kosheib: Landmark Case of ‘Janjaweed’ Militia Leader
Description:
Ali Kosheib, or Kushayb, is the nom de guerre of Ali Mohammed Ali, identified by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as Ali Mohammed Ali Abd–Al-Rahman. Kosheib is believed to have been the principal leader of the Janjaweed militias in the Wadi Saleh area of West Darfur. He also held commanding positions in Sudanese government auxiliary forces, the Popular Defense Forces and Central Reserve Police.
In early 2003, the Janjaweed worked alongside the Sudanese government forces during its armed conflict with rebel groups to carry out a systematic campaign of “ethnic cleansing.” The campaign targeted civilians from African Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa ethnic groups, from which the members of the rebel groups were drawn. Attacking from the air and land, Sudanese government forces and allied militias killed, raped, and forcibly displaced more than 2 million people from their homes and land. The Sudanese government recruited, armed, and trained the Janjaweed forces. -Human Rights Watch
Transcript:
MURDER, PILLAGE, RAPE, TORTURE, FORCIBLE TRANSFER, PERSECUTION, INHUMANE ACTS
Just some of the charges Ali Mohammed
Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, known as Ali Kosheib,
will face before the International Criminal Court in his trial starting Tuesday, April 5, 2022.
This trial is the first time a leader will have to answer for serious crimes allegedly committed in Darfur by government forces and allied militias.
Kosheib, a commander of the Janjaweed militias, is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004.
Voice: Darfur community leader
“We appreciate the role of the ICC, not in a vindictive way, but for justice. People all over the world should know that no one is above justice, and every dictator who wishes to exterminate and kill his people or his neighbors has to know he will face the law.”
Serious crimes in Darfur have continued over the years, where perpetrators are emboldened by impunity.
Victims and communities in Sudan have been waiting for over fifteen years to finally see an accused perpetrator stand trial.
Voice: Darfur Activist
“The Kosheib trial is a good step towards justice. But achieving full justice in Darfur relies on the surrender of Omar al-Bashir, Ahmed Haroun, Abdulraheem Mohammed Hussein and others.”
For justice to be done, Sudanese authorities should help transfer the other ICC fugitives to the ICC without further delay.
hashtag justice matters
[Ends]
View the above video at YouTube here: https://youtu.be/nn5V6H4XOow
Related reports
Sudan Watch
Thursday, May 04, 2023
Darfur Sudan: ICC warrants of arrest still pending against MM Harun, Al Bashir, Banda, and Hussein
https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/05/darfur-sudan-icc-warrants-of-arrest.html
Sudan Watch
Thursday, May 04, 2023
ICC trial of Janjaweed Leader helps justice for Darfur
https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/05/icc-trial-of-janjaweed-leader-helps.html
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