To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of (a) allegations of the International Criminal Court’s prosecutors against the President of Sudan regarding responsibility for the situation in Darfur and (b) the effect of such allegations on the prospects for peace in the region. (219542)

On 14 July the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor announced his application to the ICC judges for an arrest warrant against President Bashir of Sudan for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Prosecutor is completely independent and the court has its own procedures. It would therefore be inappropriate and premature to comment or speculate on the outcome of the ICC deliberations.

The UK has a long standing position of support for the work and purposes of the ICC. We also have a long standing position of calling on the Government of Sudan to co-operate with the ICC over the two existing indictments. My right. hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reiterated this to the Sudanese President during his visit to Khartoum on 9 July.

We continue to urge all sides to show restraint, continue to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and engage in the African Union-UN led political process for Darfur.