Rights groups want swift hand over of Sudan's Bashir to ICC

Rights groups pushed Wednesday for the swift handover of Omar al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court after Sudan's new authorities pledged to bring the ousted strongman to justice for alleged war crimes in Darfur.

Top Sudanese officials said Tuesday that the country's new rulers had agreed with rebel groups to send Bashir and three former aides to The Hague-based court for their role in the conflict in the western Darfur region.

"The Sudanese authorities should translate these words into action and immediately transfer al-Bashir and other individuals (facing ICC arrest warrants) to The Hague," Amnesty International acting secretary general Julie Verhaar said.

"Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the ICC over the murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture and rape of hundreds of thousands of people during the conflict in Darfur.

"A decision to hand him over to the court would be a welcome step towards justice for victims and their families."
"It is beyond time that his victims and their families receive justice."