Originally published on the CGS blog on August 15, 2011.
In what has become an unfortunate habit since being indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has left home to travel to an ICC member country. On August 7th, he attended the presidential inauguration in neighboring Chad. As a party to the Rome Statute, Chad had an obligation to arrest Bashir as soon as he set foot on their soil; but they did not do so.
This marks the second time Bashir has traveled to Chad and not been turned over to the ICC by the Chadian government. Bashir has continued to flout his ICC indictment by traveling to Kenya and Djibouti, both of which are also ICC members, without facing arrest.
It is undoubtedly true that the Court’s indictment has limited Bashir’s movements over the past several years, and largely kept him isolated in Sudan. However, the failure of Chad, once again, to arrest Bashir indicates that compliance with the ICC’s arrest warrants by member states remains a serious problem. Justice cannot be served when international pariahs still find safe havens to which they can travel with impunity. All ICC member states should honor their obligation to help bring war criminals like Bashir to justice.
