Norwegian position on the International Criminal Court and Darfur

Here is the Norwegian position on the International Criminal Court and Darfur:

1. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent and impartial judicial body.  Any accused person is presumed innocent and is entitled to a number of rights under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

2. The situation in Darfur is extremely serious. The Security Council has determined that it constitutes a threat to international peace and security. It is the Security Council that has referred this situation to the Court and that requires that all States cooperate fully with the Court.

3. We expect full cooperation from Sudan. Atrocities committed against the civilian population in Darfur must be brought to an immediate end.

4. It has at times been alleged that the International Criminal Court has been imposed on African states from the outside. However, we recall that the Court was established after negotiations with broad participation from all regions. Sudan participated actively in the negotiations and signed the Statute, but has not yet ratified it. The majority of African states (thirty) have ratified the Statute. Three out of four situations in Africa were referred to the Court by the governments of the African states concerned. This is a clear demonstration of a firm commitment by African states to international justice.

5. We have consistently supported peace efforts in Sudan and the broader region. Furthermore, we believe that no sustainable peace can be built on a foundation of continued impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole.