April 01, 2005

Prime Minister Paul Martin today issued the following statement after the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1593 on Sudan:

“I welcome this development in the Security Council. I am particularly pleased that the Security Council Resolution has referred the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court. As Canada has said many times, this referral represents the best and most realistic option for ensuring timely accountability for these serious international crimes and deterring further atrocities in Darfur. The International Criminal Court was established precisely to fulfill these dual roles—to ensure accountability for, as well as to deter, the commission of the most serious international crimes. Canada is pleased that the Security Council has acted to allow the International Criminal Court to perform these essential tasks with respect to the situation in Darfur.

This is a critical and pivotal step in helping to stop the ongoing violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including the horrific sexual violence against women and girls in Darfur. We were one of the first countries to state that war crimes and crimes against humanity were being committed in Darfur. We have been actively lobbying members of the UN Security Council to ensure accountability for these crimes.

Canada also welcomes the U.S. decision not to block this ICC referral, despite their stated reservations. However, Canada is disappointed that the Resolution includes an exemption from the Court’s jurisdiction for persons participating in Security Council or African Union authorized missions in Sudan, which Canada considers to be inconsistent with basic legal principles of accountability. In Canada’s view, such an exemption must not establish a precedent for future Security Council referrals to the International Criminal Court.

Canada calls on the Government of Sudan, as well as on all UN member states, to cooperate fully and without delay with the International Criminal Court in its investigation of the situation in Darfur pursuant to this Security Council Resolution. Canada stands ready to assist the work of the International Criminal Court in whatever manner is appropriate.”