The European Union (EU) has also expressed concern over the visit of Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir to Nigeria for the just concluded Special Summit of the African Union on HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis and malaria held in Abuja.
Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in a statement on Tuesday reiterated the need for member states of the United Nations to abide by the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council.
She recalled also that Al-Bashir has been issued warrant of arrest by the International Criminal Court over charges bothering on war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
The statement reads, “The High Representative is concerned by the visit of President of Sudan, Omar Al-Bashir, to Nigeria, a State Party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). She recalls that President Omar Al-Bashir is under an arrest warrant by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“The High Representative reiterates the importance for all Member States of the United Nations to abide by and implement the resolutions adopted by the Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, in this case UNSCR 1593(2005). She urges Nigeria to respect its obligations under international law to arrest and surrender those subject to an arrest warrant from the ICC.
“The ICC is a valuable instrument enabling victims of violence or human rights abuses and their representatives, including States, to combat impunity for the most serious crimes. Genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes must not go unpunished and their prosecution must be ensured by measures at both domestic and international levels. The European Union therefore reiterates its full support to the role of the ICC.”
On Monday, United Kingdom, also issued a statement condemning the visit. Before coming to Nigeria President Al-Bashir had only visited Chad and Djibouti since the warrant was issued by the ICC.
