Sudan president can be charged with genocide

ICC reverses its ruling

Appeal judges with the International Criminal Court have reversed a previous ruling and decided that Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir can be charged with genocide for the attempted destruction of certain ethnic groups since fighting broke out in Darfur in 2003. His murderous campaign of torture, rape and forced expulsions has killed 300,000 people and displaced millions. The judges said the standard of proof that was used when genocide charges against Bashir were dismissed in 2009 was “higher and more demanding than what is required.” However, the court still convicted Bashir on seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, making him the first head of state to be indicted by the ICC. For his part, Bashir has refused to recognize the court’s jurisdiction and has cancelled any travel plans to nations that may arrest him. The ICC’s pre-trial chamber will now decide whether to add genocide to the list of charges against the Sudanese leader.