Omar Hassan al-Bashir (openDemocracy Flickr photostream/Creative Commons)

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant today for President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The warrant was issued despite diplomatic requests to delay the warrant to allow time for more peace negotiations in Darfur. Many feel today’s action against Bashir will provoke more violence in the country and risk the peace process.

Bashir is charged with a total of seven counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes. Five counts are for crimes against humanity: murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture, and rape, and two counts of war crimes: intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population, and pillaging. He is not being charged with genocide as the judges did not have sufficient evidence, although the number of deaths is estimated at 300,000 people.

takepart learn more about and help stop the conflict in Darfur and other human rights violations across the world by visiting Human Rights Watch, dedicated to defending and protecting human rights.