Jordan urged to block or detain al-Bashir

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Jordan to deny entry to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir or arrest him if he enters the country. Legalbrief reports that al-Bashir has been invited to attend the 28th summit of the Arab League on Wednesday. Al-Bashir is the subject of two International Criminal Court arrest warrants, issued in 2009 and 2010, related to his alleged role in Sudan's counterinsurgency campaign in Darfur. A report on the Relief Web site notes that the charges are for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. ‘Jordan would be defying its international obligations as an ICC member if it allows al-Bashir to visit without arresting him,’ said Elise Keppler, associate international justice director at HRW. ‘Welcoming an ICC fugitive would undermine the Jordanian government’s recent efforts to strengthen the country’s rule of law.’