Statement by Foreign Minister Stubb on the decision of the International Criminal Court regarding the President of Sudan

Press release 70/2009
4 March, 2009

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has today given its decision concerning the prosecutor’s petition to issue a warrant for the arrest of the President of Sudan.

Finland stresses the independence and autonomy of the International Criminal Court. The jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in Sudan is based on Resolution 1593 (2005) adopted by the UN Security Council, which granted the ICC a mandate vis-à-vis the situation in Darfur. In addition, Sudan’s obligation to cooperate with the ICC is grounded in this Resolution, which is binding.

All parties should continue efforts to promote peace negotiations in Darfur and to achieve peace and stability in Sudan. The parties to the conflict should comply with their legal obligations and refrain from violence.

In the question of Sudan, Finland acts as part of the European Union. The European Union’s aim in Sudan is the achievement of peace and stability, and therefore peace processes, UN operations and humanitarian aid should continue.

Additional information: Helena Airaksinen, Head of the Unit for East and West Africa, mobile tel. +358 40 829 3412, Marja Lehto, Head of the Unit for Public International Law, mobile tel. +358 40 511 8429 and Juha Kirstilä, Press Attaché to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 552 8200