Geneva: The UN`s top human rights official
on Thursday criticised China for failing to arrest Sudan`s President
so that he can be brought to trial on war crimes charges.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay told
reporters in Geneva she was "disappointed" that China welcomed
Sudan`s President Omar al-Bashir during a visit this week,
rather than arrest him to ensure he stands trial.
Pillay said that "the whole world favours trial" for
al-Bashir for his role in the civil war in Sudan that killed
more than 2 million people.
China has a duty to enforce warrants by the
International Criminal Court, she said, despite the fact that
it`s not a member of The Hague, Netherlands-based tribunal.
"There is a duty and a responsibility on the part of
every government including China to assist the court in
bringing to justice individuals who have been indicted by the
court," Pillay said. "It`s disappointing when states do not
deliver on this responsibility."
Al-Bashir, who left Beijing yesterday for the eastern
Chinese port city of Qingdao, was expected to leave China
later today to return to Sudan.
Pillay said she could assure everyone, based on her
experience as a judge for the ICC, that it would conduct a
fair trial.
"It`s not like we`re calling for an execution of
someone, we`re calling for an arrest of someone," she said.
The International Criminal Court has twice issued
warrants for his arrest on charges of genocide, crimes against
humanity and war crimes in Darfur. China is not a court member
and says it`s reserving opinion.
PTI
