Nov 21, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese Minister of Justice Mohammed Ali al-Mardi repeated Monday his government’s insistence to try Darfur war crime suspects inside the country.

Six Sudanese men stand in the dock in a court in Nyala September 30, 2004, accused of belonging to the Arab militia. (Reuters).

In a press statement, al-Mardi stressed that the Sudanese judiciary organs are honest, neutral and competent, adding that the Sudanese government is serious, capable and willing to try whoever is suspected of committing war crimes in the western region of Darfur.

He cited a recent trial in which two Sudanese army soldiers were sentenced to be hanged after being convicted of killing a civilian in Darfur.

Al-Mardi rejected any interference by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague.

The minister described a decision taken earlier Monday by the Sudanese Chief of Justice to form two special courts for Darfur war criminals in Niyala and al-Gineina as "an important step."

"What makes the decision distinguished is that it allows the African Union and the concerned organizations to attend the court’s hearings," said the Sudanese official.

He reaffirmed that his government is intensifying efforts to fight violence against women.

The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution in March demanding the Sudanese authorities refer those accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan’s western region of Darfur to the ICC.

(Xinhua/ST)