AJC Criticizes Red Carpet Welcome for Bashir in Qatar

NEW YORK, March 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC is gravely distressed by the
lavish welcome afforded to Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir, whose arrest on
charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes is sought by the
International Criminal Court, at the Arab League summit in Qatar.

"Welcoming an accused mass murderer with a kiss on the red carpet is morally
repugnant," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "This action is unworthy
of the role as a respected regional mediator to which Qatar aspires."

Bashir, who stands accused of supporting both Sudanese army and air force
units and irregular militias in the assault on Darfur, which has now entered
its sixth year, was warmly embraced by the Emir upon his arrival in Doha. The
foreign ministers of Arab League member states have reportedly agreed upon a
resolution at the summit rejecting the ICC's warrant. The Arab League's stance
reflects a similar position adopted by the African Union, three of whose
members -- Libya, Egypt and Eritrea, who are also members of the Arab League
-- have also received Bashir since the ICC warrant was issued. Meanwhile, the
UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, who addressed the summit, criticized
Sudan's decision to expel aid agencies from Darfur in the wake of the
warrant's release.

Harris said, "The Arab League claims to be concerned with human rights and
human suffering, yet it circles the wagons around Bashir in a shocking display
of indifference to the people of Darfur. The next time its members issue wild
accusations about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, we'll know their real
motive is simply to demonize Israel."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Kenneth Bandler of American Jewish Committee, +1-212-891-6771,
bandlerk@ajc.org