JURIST - Paper Chase: ICC prosecutor says Darfur probe already reveals "grave crimes"

[JURIST] Chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo [BBC profile] of the International Criminal Court [official website] told the UN Security Council in a statement [PDF] Wednesday that the ICC's preliminary investigation into the situation in Darfur [JURIST report] begun June 1, had already revealed "a significant amount of credible information disclosing the commission of grave crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court having taken place in Darfur...". He said:

These crimes include the killing of thousands of civilians, the widespread destruction and looting of villages, leading to the displacement of approximately 1.9 million civilians. The conditions of life resulting from these crimes have led to the deaths of tens of thousands from disease and starvation, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as children, the sick and the elderly. Information also highlights a pervasive pattern of rape and sexual violence.

Ocampo called on UN members to give their full support to the ICC and its probe and for the cooperation of Sudan and all other parties. Sudan has set up its own court in response to the investigation, but observers have ongoing doubts about its sufficiency [Reuters report]. AP has more.

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