AJC Calls for International Boycott of Sudan President Bashir Inauguration

NEW YORK, May 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC expressed dismay that UN officials are planning to attend the inauguration of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on Thursday.

"President Bashir is a wanted man, indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity and atrocities in Darfur," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "He should be arrested, not feted."

The UN has announced that Haile Menkerios, head of the UN Mission in Sudan, and Ibrahim Gambari, joint head of the African Union/UN Mission in Darfur, will attend the May 27 ceremony. Bashir has imperiously ruled Sudan for nearly 21 years.

"Official UN participation in Bashir's inauguration would be nothing short of tragic," said Harris, who urged all countries to not attend. "We earnestly hope the UN will reconsider its unwise decision."

"Attendance at the inauguration, whether by UN or other governments' representatives, confers legitimacy on this indicted war criminal, undermines the authority of the ICC, and signals further neglect of the victims, especially those in Darfur, who have suffered unspeakable human rights violations under the Bashir regime," said Harris.

"Moreover, both the Arab League and African Union, in a circle-the-wagons show of support for Bashir, have rejected the ICC indictment," said Harris. "And, to make matters still worse, several Arab and African nations have rolled out the red carpet for Bashir on official visits since the ICC action."

In April, Sudan held its first elections in 24 years. Bashir won after the withdrawal of opposition parties and reports of widespread voting fraud. Bashir first came to power in a military coup in 1989. In 1993, he declared himself President.

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SOURCE American Jewish Committee