Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Ashton bezorgd over verklaring Soedanese regering om geen gevangenen te nemen in gewapend conflict (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Raad van de Europese Unie (Raad) i, gepubliceerd op dinsdag 3 april 2012.

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 3 April 2012 A

Statement by EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, concerning recent statements by Sudanese officials regarding

a "take no prisoners" policy

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

"I am alarmed at video footage showing Ahmed Haroun, the Governor of Southern Kordofan, urging Sudanese soldiers to take no prisoners during fighting in Southern Kordofan and a Government of Sudan spokesman defending these statements.

A deliberate policy of taking no prisoners during armed conflict constitutes a war crime. The Geneva Conventions prohibit ordering that there shall be no survivors. The Government of Sudan must ensure that the Sudan Armed Forces abide by international humanitarian law at all times.

The European Union is committed to fight against impunity for international crimes and will spare no efforts to ensure that anyone responsible for such crimes is brought to justice."