The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP), expresses its satisfaction as Mr. “Bahr Idriss Abu Qerda", suspected of committing war crimes in the Darfur region of Sudan, appeared voluntarily before the International Criminal Court , on May 17 2009.

ACIJLP believes that this measure may have a positive impact to the appearance of other suspects to the court to make a decision on charges that come within the jurisdiction of the court. On the other hand, the center belief in the fairness , the justice and the independence of the International Criminal Court, and its guarantees to the standards of fair trial. It is regarded as a step towards the reduction of the culture of impunity

On the occasion of this action, the Center calls on all Sudanese parties, whether governmental or non governmental, to take such action done by Mr. Bahr Idriss Abu Qerda, and appear voluntarily before the International Criminal Court, which will determine the charges attributed to them in a framework of fair and equitable trial guarantees as an effective step toward the achievement of justice on the crisis in the Darfur region.

It should be noted that Mr. Bahr Idriss Abu Qerda, suspected of responsibility for three war crimes - in accordance with the Statute of the Court - alleged to have committed during the armed attack on the African Union peacekeeping forces in Sudan (Haskanita military site in the municipality Om Kadadah North Darfur) on September 29th 2007. this crime represented in murders (Article 8 - e -1), and intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, materials, units and vehicles involved in peacekeeping missions (Article 8-2 - e 3) and finally, the crime of robbery (Article 8-2 - e 5). The Pre-Trial Chamber of the Court considered the request of the prosecution and the evidence presented in November 20, 2008 and concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the responsibility of Mr. Bahr Idriss, as a direct or indirect partner in the mentioned crimes. On February 23, 2009 the Attorney General amended his request and submitted a request reported that the issuance of a summons - a substitute for arrest - would be sufficient to ensure that Mr. Abu Qerda will appear before the Court because it had already expressed his willingness to do so.

It should also be noted that this is the third case that dealt with by the International Criminal Court on Darfur, after the case of The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Harun and Ali Kushayb and the case of The Prosecutor v. Omar Hassan al-Bashir.