RI legislator condemns attempts to arrest Sudan president

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Mutammimul Ula, a legislator of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), criticized efforts being made by International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors to seek an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir for alleged genocide.
"The request filed with the ICC to arrest Omar Hassan Al-Bashir must be postponed. This is to prevent that situation in Sudan, in Darfur in particular, from worsening," Ula told ANTARA News here on Friday.

It was reported earlier, prosecutors at the International Criminal Court on Monday (July 14) filed genocide charges against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, accusing him of masterminding attempts to wipe out African tribes in Darfur through a campaign of murders, rape and deportation.

The Indonesian legislator was worried that the arrest of the Sudan president would make it difficult to achieve stability in the region.

"Other implications will include follow-up effects which can harm various elements there, such as the people, humanitarian organizations, and peacekeeping forces," he said.

Besides, he added, in line with existing regulations, ICC could not make an arrest without permission from the country concerned.

"Moreover, it will be very difficult to arrest Omar Hassan Al Bashir in The Hague because he is a serving president," he said.

A vacuum in Sudan`s administration will make the situation uncontrollable, he said.

"Therefore, we urge the Indonesian government, both through the United Nations Security Council and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), to push for wiser ways in dealing with Darfur," he said.

Ula said that the people of Darfur needed help but not through ways which could disadvantage them.

Meanwhile, Gulfnews.com recently reported that Sudan`s ruling party warned there will be more violence in Darfur if the country`s president is indicted for crimes against humanity and genocide as hundreds of people rallied in Khartoum to show their support for the longtime leader. (*)

Antara Edisi Jum'at, 18 Juli 2008