Geneva, October 7 (Darfur24)
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Monday welcomed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) conviction of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004.
The ruling by the ICC Trial Chamber is the first in the Darfur case referred to the Court by the UN Security Council.
In a statement obtained by Darfur24, Türk said the conviction comes at a time when similar atrocities are being committed again in Darfur and other parts of Sudan amid the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“The conviction of Ali Kushayb is an important recognition of the immense suffering endured by the victims of his horrific crimes, and a long-awaited first step toward justice for them and their families,” Türk said.
He praised the courage of victims who testified during the trial, noting that they had “clung to the hope that justice would one day reach their tormentors, who had previously escaped accountability.”
“I sincerely hope that today’s ruling serves as a reminder to the perpetrators of current crimes that there is no impunity for serious violations, and that they too will one day be brought to justice,” he added.
Türk emphasized that the conviction highlights the continued importance of the ICC as a court of last resort, particularly when national accountability mechanisms are absent.
The ICC Office of the Prosecutor had charged Kushayb with 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Bindisi, Mukjar, and Deleig between August 2003 and April 2004.
The Pre-Trial Chamber I found him guilty of 27 counts, including murder, torture, outrages upon personal dignity, and persecution. The Court ruled that Kushayb committed these crimes both as a direct perpetrator and as an accomplice to Janjaweed and Sudanese government forces.
He was found guilty of ordering attacks on civilians, forcible transfer, looting, persecution, and the destruction of property during operations in Bindisi. He was also convicted as an accomplice in the murder, attempted murder, and torture of at least 200 prisoners and detainees during the Mukjar and Deleig operations.
Kushayb will be sentenced at a later date.