'Now is the time to act' for victims of violence in Sudan, ICC Prosecutor urges Security Council.

The UN Security Council must 'seize this moment' presented by the current turmoil in Sudan, to provide justice at long last for the victims of violence in Darfur, and those who have suffered at the hands of the brutal military crackdown earlier this month.

That is according to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda, who said she had a 'clear message to convey: now is the time to act. Now is the time for the people of Sudan to choose law, over impunity, and ensure that the ICC suspects in the Darfur situation, finally face justice in a court of law.'

She said the Council now had a 'unique opportunity to decisively and effectively' address the wrongs committed by the security forces aligned with former President Omar al-Bashir in the Darfur region between 2003-2008, when around 300,000 were killed and 2.7 million civilians driven from their homes, according to UN figures.

She called for the immediate cessation of violence against civilians in the capital Khartoum and elsewhere, since the 3 June wave of attacks against protesters calling for a return to civilian rule, in opposition to the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC).

All arrest warrants for the five suspects charged with the grave crimes within the ICC's remit - genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity - remain outstanding, she told members. Both deposed president Bashir, and two others, are now said to be in custody she said and are legally obliged to be transferred by the TMC. Only if they could show willing to prosecute them for the same crimes, could they remain in Sudan, she said.

Victims must have their day in court

'I am ready to engage in dialogue with the authorities in Sudan to ensure that the Darfur suspects face independent and impartial justice, either in a courtroom in The Hague, or in Sudan", said the Prosecutor. 'Continued impunity is not an option. The victims of the Darfur situation deserve to finally have their day in court."

'My expectation is that Sudan, with the support of this Council, will engage in dialogue with my Office to discuss the feasibility of a mission by my Office to Sudan...