Luke Parrott

President Bashir Shows His Continued Defiance

Don't let Darfur go off your radar!  Keep following this story.  The fate of this Sudanese President has massive implications for those who cry "Never Again" in response to the occurrence of genocide. 

Last week, a warrant was issued for Bashir's arrest in conjunction with war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the 300,000 that have been killed and the 2.7 million that have been displaced in Darfur since 2003. 

Bashir is flexing his muscles around his country to show that he will not heed to the International Criminal Court. 

The question that keeps ringing in my head is "If a nation state chooses to implement genocide in it's own country does it have the sovereign right to do so?"  In the case of the Sudanese government and Darfur, the answer currently seems to be YES!

What's even more mind boggling is the fact that the US is not a member of the International Criminal Court as it is felt that this infringes on our own sovereignty!  Sudan is not a member and makes the very same case in these accusations against President Bashir.

Justice does not seem possible through this avenue of an International Criminal Court?  What do you think?

Darfur and President Al-Bashir: Bringing Justice to a Genocide

The United Nations reports that 300,000 people have been killed since 2003 in the Western region of Darfur.

In June 2005, President Bush declared the conflicts as genocide.

Now in March 2009, the International Criminal Court(ICC) has issued a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese President Al Bashir on charges of war crimes and human rights violations.

So here we are today with many questions.

The Sudanese Government, naturally, has protested against the warrant.  Bashir said the court can "eat it."  Russia's envoy says this sets a "dangerous precedent".  Egypt is "greatly disturbed".  France urges Sudan to fully co-operate.  The African Union is worried that this warrant will kill any movement towards a peace process in the region.

For the first time in history, the International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of a sitting head of state.  Bashir claims that these charges are neo-colonialism in it's finest as the West continues to infringe upon the rights of independent states.  The 2.5 million displaced from the conflict as well as the 300,000 who were killed in the genocide would view this warrant as hope for justice to prevail....a hope that has been long deferred and is all but lost.  See George Clooney's blog about the state of the region after traveling there this past week.

Will justice prevail for all those who have fallen or been displaced due to genocide?  Will the sovereignty of a state prevail?  If a government chooses to invoke genocide within it's borders can the international community do anything about it?

Can a genocide be brought to justice? 

All eyes are watching President Bashir of Sudan.  His response greatly controls the outcome of this situation.

I pray today for justice to be brought to the Sudanese government.  For the 2.5 million displaced.  For the 300,000 who have fallen.  For Bashir to see the crimes he has committed.  That he might repent of his ways and be forgiven.

Click here for understanding of where the US stands in this situation.

 

Doing Homework on Darfur

If you feel out of the loop in conversations regarding the genocide in Sudan. If you are unfamiliar with words like Darfur, Janjaweed, Khartoum... then take a minute to educate yourself with this short documentary.