How to Take Full Advantage of International Impunity, By Omar al-Bashir

In the months after the first warrants were issued for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, he proceeded to kick aid groups out of the country and ramp up violence against the people of Darfur; proving to the international community that he enjoys ultimate impunity for his actions. Now that a second arrest warrant has been issued, this time on the charge of genocide, Bashir remains confident in the reality that he is free to do as he pleases.

Since the second arrest warrant was issued on the charge of Genocide, Bashir has traveled to countries bound by the Rome Statute, threatened to expel the United Nations/African Union Mission in Darfur (their expulsion would likely mean the expulsion of all aid groups as well from the Darfur region), and is now orchestrating an attack on Kalma, an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp. Thus far, he is absolutely correct in his belief that no country is willing to do what it takes to stop him.

Frustration is growing over the lack of action being taken to stop Bashir and protect the civilians in Darfur. Activists are beginning to wonder exactly what it will take for states to live up to their rhetoric and start taking action. As seems to be the case all too often, there is a lot of talk and very little action. Even Obama’s National Security Strategy addresses the issue, specifically referencing the Responsibility to Protect, and committing the U.S. to protecting civilians:

“The United States and all member states of the U.N. have endorsed the concept of the 'Responsibility to Protect.' In so doing, we have recognized that the primary responsibility for preventing genocide and mass atrocity rests with sovereign governments, but that this responsibility passes to the broader international community when sovereign governments themselves commit genocide or mass atrocities, or when they prove unable or unwilling to take necessary action to prevent or respond to such crimes inside their borders. The United States is committed to working with our allies, and to strengthening our own internal capabilities, in order to ensure that the United States and the international com­munity are proactively engaged in a strategic effort to prevent mass atrocities and genocide. In the event that prevention fails, the United States will work both multilaterally and bilaterally to mobilize diplomatic, humanitarian, financial, and—in certain instances—military means to prevent and respond to genocide and mass atrocities.”

At what point will the U.S. decide to live up to this commitment? This call for action is beginning to seem redundant, but I will keep making it until we see real action taken to protect the people of Darfur. Join me in signing the petition asking President Obama to take action and hold Bashir accountable for his crimes.

Photo Credit: Sebastian Baryli