The genocide in Sudan’s Darfur region has killed more than 250,000 people, displaced more than 2.5 million and continues to cause 5,000 deaths each month. Building on mtvU’s ongoing campaign to inform and empower college students to help stop this crisis, MTV Networks is turning up the volume on its effort to Channel The Change across the company’s global brands. Included below are links to resources across MTV Networks and its partner organizations, where you can learn more about the genocide in Darfur and find out how you can help bring it to an end.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is where people accused of crimes of international concern such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes are placed on trial. In respect to the issue in Darfur, the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, has accused Sudanese President Oman Hassan al-Bashir of three counts of genocide, five counts of crimes against humanity and two counts of war crimes. Below you will find more information about the power players and people involved in the International Criminal Court (ICC) Darfur Indictment:
- President Oman Hassan al-Bashir: al–Bashir first held the international spotlight when he led followers in a successful coup of the Sudanese government in June 1989. He then served as the Minister of Defense from 1989-1993. In March of 1991, he introduced the Criminal Act which was heavily based on Islamic Sharia Law. This law clashed with the ideals of Christians in the South of Sudan. In October of 1993, General Bashir became President of Sudan.
- Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha: The Sudanese vice president has rejected the authority of the International Criminal Court in Sudan, stating that his country was not a signatory to ICC’s creation in 2002. He has also voiced concern over the indictment, saying that it will only cause further instabilities in Sudan.
- Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo: Moreno-Ocampo is an Argentinean lawyer elected to the position of ICC chief prosecutor in 2003. In June 2005, he announced the opening of an investigation into human rights abuse in Darfur. On July 14, 2008, he filed genocide charges against Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. Moreno-Ocampo has already indicted two Sudanese leaders: Former Minister of State for the Interior, Ahmad Harun, and a militia leader, Ali Kushayb.
- Judges of the ICC: Now that Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has presented his case to the panel of three ICC judges, they will have to decide whether or not to issue a warrant for the arrest of President al-Bashir. The court has accepted all of Moreno-Ocampo’s past indictments.
- People of Sudan: Upon news of the ICC indictment of President al-Bashir on July 14, 2008, more than 1,000 Sudanese protestors took to the streets of Khartoum in support of their president. According to the UN, more than 300,000 people have died in the Darfur crisis while another 2.5 million have been displaced. According to the Khartoum government, only 10,000 have died in the conflict.
- China: China and Sudan share political and economic ties. Sudan is a major exporter of oil to China. China is Sudan’s most influential supporter on the world political stage. As a member of the UN Security Council, China has supported Sudan by blocking UN sanctions.
For more information on the ICC check out www.icc-cpi.int.

