International justice should not be open to political abuse and selective standards

Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) condemns the International Criminal Court (ICC) action against Sudan as reprehensible

The Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) expresses its profound rejection of the ICC position, regarding its decision to level charges against the Sudanese president, Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, in issuing a warrant for his arrest; a step that reflects mismanagement on the part of the international order in dealing with the Darfur crisis and its repercussions.

Over the years, we have closely followed the successive saddening crises suffered by Sudan , which resulted in much pain and many victims. We have invited the various Sudanese parties concerned to act responsibly, rise above their injury, overcome their differences, resolve the developing crises, and alleviate the suffering of the inhabitants and those displaced. Having followed with great satisfaction, the peace-building steps between the North and South of Sudan , we observed with great optimism the successive rounds of dialogue and talks seeking to resolve the Darfur crisis, especially the progress achieved recently; the ICC decision undermined all this.

Our position in the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) has been consistent throughout, in rejecting any violation of human rights, from whatever party. However, it is clear to everyone that some international bodies did not act in a wise, responsible, and balanced way in addressing the crisis in Darfur . Rather than encouraging positive efforts to bring peace and restore harmony, and so bring a halt to the bloodshed, and alleviate the suffering of victims, they have acted in ways that undermine the peace, and destroy any accord, pitting the Sudanese against one another. No doubt, Sudan required responsible international action that supported the efforts to make peace, bring harmony, and contribute to development, not one that undermined sovereignty of the State, contributed to greater instability, and was an assault on its territorial integrity.

The targeting of States and their leadership in this unprecedented way, threatens to spread chaos, and widen the sphere of instability, rather to break down the territorial integrity of sovereign States. In the case of Sudan , one of the largest African countries, its territorial integrity, and security represent an important factor in the stability of the African continent as a whole.

The Muslim Association of Britain adds its voice to all those who have expressed their concern, over the consequences of the ICC decision on the efforts seeking to resolve the crisis in Darfur, and keep the peace, bring stability, and harmony in Sudan as a whole. Furthermore, this decision does not relieve the suffering of the victims in Darfur , but complicates the issue, and makes a solution ever more remote.

The ICC decision raises question marks over balance in the working processes of some international bodies, and the extent to which the standards of fairness and professionalism are exercised. This new action against Sudan is tainted by injustice, and defies logic, while throwing a cloud of suspicion on the credibility of the international system of justice, in reflecting an entrenched culture of double standards. Many of the grave and gross violations perpetrated with impunity, and the war crimes committed in the world today, have not met with any response by the ICC, which continues to turn a blind eye. In this way, the suffering of victims in many parts and regions have been ignored, which gives the impression that international justice is subject to political abuse, and blatant selective standards; the entire world has seen shocking incidents amounting to war crimes, as was the case in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, and many other countries—the crimes committed by Israel and its leaders, against Gaza and its people, still fresh in our minds.

While we emphasise that international justice should not be open to political abuse nor selective standards, we consider that the standards of the international order, and the values promoted by Western States in particular, are today in the eyes of many nations and peoples being put to the test, to prove the extent of their balance, objectivity, and fairness.{END}