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Mr. President, I thank Ms. Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for her report and briefing on the situation in Darfur. Next year it will be 10 years since the referral of the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court. Ten years that the people of Darfur have continued to suffer. The ongoing security and humanitarian crisis in Darfur is marked by widespread violence, impunity and displacement.

More than 359 000 people have been newly displaced due to attacks by pro-Government militias, including Rapid Support Forces. Armed clashes aimed at displaced people outside and within the IDP camps is another issue of major concern. Peacekeepers continue to be subject to attacks throughout Darfur. Months of September and October were marked by the death of four peacekeepers, which raised the total number of deaths to sixty one from the beginning of the peacekeeping mission in Sudan. We call on the Government of Sudan to take all necessary measures to ensure security of peacekeeping personnel and its freedom of movement.

`We thank the Prosecutor for her information about the preparations for the trial of Abdallah Banda. It is very disappointing that trial could not commence last month because of a lack of cooperation from the Government of Sudan as well as from Mr. Banda. My delegation still hopes that the trial could go forward and that it will become a breakthrough in providing justice to the many victims in Sudan.

We remain concerned about reports of mass rape of 200 women and girls in Tabit, North Darfur. The Darfur conflict has long been marked by sexual and gender-based violence. These allegations demand full, impartial and unimpeded investigation. We call on the Government of Sudan to allow UNAMID full access to fully dispense of its mandate to investigate allegations on human rights violations in Tabit.

Attacks against civilians are largely being made because of impunity for those who continue to harm civilians in Darfur. The prevailing climate of impunity cannot continue, as violence breeds more violence. All perpetrators of violations of the International Humanitarian law and Human Rights law, including serious crimes falling within the competence of the Court must be brought to justice. The Security Council has called repeatedly on the Government of Sudan to ensure accountability and bring perpetrators to justice. Progress, however, remains modest.The Government of Sudan should do more to end attacks against civilians, ensure accountability, and guarantee justice for the victims.

Mr. President,

The Prosecutor’s Office continues to face numerous challenges in fulfilling its mandate. We reiterate our call on the Government of Sudan to meet its obligations under resolution the 1593 (2005) and to cooperate with the ICC, including on the enforcement of the arrest warrants issued by the Court. 

As the report of the Prosecutor reminds us, there is still a lack of cooperation not only from the Government of Sudan but the other States in the region as well. We call on all States, even if they are not parties to the Rome Statute to cooperate with the ICC as required by the Security Council Resolution and meet their obligations to arrest and surrender suspects to the Court.

My final point is on UNAMID reporting. We welcome the review carried out into the allegations of UNAMID’s underreporting and welcome the efforts by DPKO to strengthen and unify the reporting procedures. Accurate and timely reporting on the situation in Darfur is essential not only for the protection of civilians but also for the fulfillment of Prosecutor’s mandate, especially in monitoring what could constitute crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute. 

In conclusion, I would like to reiterateLithuania’s full support to and cooperation with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in carrying out her important mandate. 

I thank you Mr. President.