12 responses to “HAVE YOUR SAY: Will ICC decision help or hinder peace in Darfur?”

1. david says:
   16 Jul 2008 08:30:24 GMT

   the indictment will definitely help, though not immediately. people keep saying "peace before justice" and that the ICC's decision will hurt the peace process. i would love to ask whoever says this: "What peace process?" it has been over five years since the genocide started now. the sudanese government and darfur rebels will not commit to any peace talks. the sudanese government is the problem, and if this is anything like the sudanese civil war, we still have another fifteen years until we even begin to see peace.

2. Antonella Dentamaro says:
   16 Jul 2008 10:52:16 GMT

   As imperfect and incomplete as ICC mechanisms might be, one should not buy into the short-sighted and fraudulent argument that they have a negative impact on peace negotiations in countries where investigations are undertaken. For instance, in Uganda, where a bloody civil war has marked the last twenty years, only when the ICC started its investigations did peace negotiations commence. Those who blame the ICC for "making peace more difficult" are very often the very same people who benefit from ongoing impunity and conflict. The ICC strengthens Ugandans who want to build a real and durable peace, based on accountability and the rule of law. Anything else is doomed to fail: this is the reality of conflict and post-conflict situations. Moreover, the policy adopted by the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor to focus on “those who bear the greatest responsibility” for the totality of crimes, will increase the effectiveness of the investigations and prosecutions and will provide justice for more victims..

3. Bart Vincelette says:
   16 Jul 2008 10:53:28 GMT

   It is sad but typical ; of the Arab League to criticize the charges against the Sudanese president. The genocide has been taking place on their doorstep and they have done nothing.Brutal dictators from Idi Amin to Robert Mugabe appear to be commonplace and accepted. No wonder the continent is a basketcase.

4. John Mayor says:
   16 Jul 2008 12:29:52 GMT

   The ICC decision will for sure harm the current situation in Sudan. It is fully wrong to indict one President of such a fragile country while he is in that position. ICC should not deal with this person untill he is occupaing that position.This way the situation will explode and consequencies will be dramatic.

5. Mary says:
   17 Jul 2008 07:45:25 GMT

   There must be accountability and honesty about the role of the Sudanese government. The international community can no longer wait, as inaction only strengthens the mindset and position of those perpetrating genocide. Bravo to the ICC for its indictment.

6. Stellina Giannitsi says:
   17 Jul 2008 07:58:04 GMT

   Although I do agree with the UN decision, I would like to point something out. In most (if not all) cases of civil war and genocide deriving from it, pointing out towards one, two or ten particular people is oversimplistic. It takes a considerable portion of the citizens themselves to carry out and execute attrocious acts of the sort. Brain-washing? Extreme poverty? Political upheaval? Perhaps. However, even these "legitimate" reasons cannot and do not justify this particular, ongoing, devastating situation that we, the global community, have been watching (as spectators or actual activists) for so long, and they are committing with their leaders counting upon the concept of sovereignty; or the fact that effective intervention is too costly to occur fast enough.

7. ABiodun says:
   18 Jul 2008 10:04:12 GMT

   Peace without justice, as the saying goes, is meaningless and unsustainable. However, which comes first: justice or peace?. It seems to me that while most commentators agree that those responsible for heinous should be brought to book, the issue is about timing. Whether it is Bashir or the whole Sudanese govt. that is wanted, wisdom dictates that the urgent issue for now is peace and stability that will permit the Darfuris a chance to return home to their villages and regain their lost lives!. Impunity will never go unpunished but more circumspection is required in determining the timing of such politically-sensitive acts as the recent ICC action. Peace is more urgent for darfur today than justice which will come in its own time!!!

8. Fred says:
   18 Jul 2008 12:21:46 GMT

   Genocide prevention is not the same thing as conflict resolution.

   Historically, states perpetrating genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity have proved quite impervious to polite diplomacy and political dialogue. Such processes may even encourage them by treating them as if they are legitimate.
   Genocidal situations are relatively rare. They demand special attention on the part of the whole international community, and a determination to take a range special measures to stop the violence.
   One such measure involves challenging impunity by holding those most responsible to account for their crimes. To those who ask, "is now the right time?", we are forced to reply "if not now, when?"

9. Chris Gonolinje says:
   30 Jul 2008 02:02:38 GMT

   The ICC decision to bring Bashir to book is entirely a positive approach to making peace deal achieved in Sudan. The only possible way of cracking down the Darfur political problems is identifying the key players of atrocities. And with no doubts the sitting president of Sudan is the man behind the entire Sudan’s problem. The Darfur will never experience peace if the President Bashir will be left untried. Peace can not be achieved without justice. Security Council should not tolerate the unnecessary opposition from China and Russia which are full of none other than political interests. Don’t sacrifice the innocent people’s lives for selfish curiosity of other vision-less countries. Let the justice prevail!

10. jindianaj says:
    03 Aug 2008 16:18:03 GMT

    right, even these "legitimate" reasons cannot and do not justify this particular, ongoing, devastating situation that we, the global community, have been watching (as spectators or actual activists) for so long, and they are committing with their leaders counting upon the concept of sovereignty..

11. c.d 2 says:
    05 Aug 2008 15:38:48 GMT

    One such measure involves challenging impunity by holding those most responsible to account for their crimes. To those who ask, "is now the right time?", we are forced to reply "if not now, when?"

12. Chris Gonolinje says:
    20 Nov 2008 18:35:40 GMT

    The ICC position to indict all concerned parties in Darfur conflicts is an absolute initiative and there is a need for the world and African leaderships in particular to support this effort. Despite the speculations that has been transpiring regarding the ICC of using Africa as an instrument of experimentation, the true advocates cannot buy this idea. The claim just clearly indicates how complex the Darfur conflict is. As almost every spectator of Darfur conflict is aware that there are a lot of contributors to this conflict.

    The neighbouring countries for instance Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, etc, are involved in one way or the other. It is therefore the leaders of these surrounding countries rush to make a lot of noise on baseless grounds whenever there is a need for the rule of law requires taking its action. They mask themselves and their agendas in the name of avoiding destabilizing the peace process. The question is what kind of peace process that keeps continuance bombing, killing and displacing innocent civilians, and legal baseless arrests of activists?
    There is a solution for Darfur conflict and the answer is absolutely in the hands of Sudanese themselves. The first step towards this solution is for them to realize that regardless of being northerners or southerners but there are all called Sudanese. Upon identifying with the same name as “Sudanese” they will also need to look at other simple but important aspects that are organic for their oneness. Ordinary citizens and militia groups should strongly resist from being used by egotistical politicians. They should always put at their memory that there are them (ordinary civilians) who are extremely suffering from the consequences of such gestures. Let them demonstrate the atmosphere of peace in their own grass root communities and develop a strong sense that no one can solve out the problem rather than engaging themselves in unconditional dialogues. Should the difference maintain holding the nerves Sudanese leaderships the 2011 proposed referendum will decide the future! of Sudan.
    The neighbouring countries should support the Sudanese people in the positive gesticulation. These nations and governments should entirely refuse to accept from helping both sides acquiring arms using their territories. Although there are large gains of proceeds in such deals when there is arms embargo, they must only be motivated by the spirit service that will surpass the interest of material acquisition by breaking the arm embargo truce at the cost of innocent souls.
    Since the justice is indispensable element from achieving the goals of peace for any land both Sudanese rebels and government officials should be accountable to the law. The perpetrators and players of atrocities must at all cost face the sword of the law. Every one accused on the grounds of war crimes or otherwise should be tried by competent and bipartisan court. For this reason International Criminal Court (ICC) is the only qualified Legal Body that will not prosecute the individuals based on political reasons.
    The ICC itself should do whatever possible to make sure that charges are brought before its judges. The world is fed up of hearing the claims of justice enforcement with no substantial domino effects. World needs action and action, this is not time for words.
    The UN must support the ICC with pure eye and all necessary requirements.

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