The African Union should demonstrate support for justice for victims of grave international crimes at its summit meeting from July 9 to 16, 2012, African civil society organizations and international organizations with a presence in Africa said in a letter sent on July 5 to African foreign ministers.

The African Union should play a stronger role in supporting international justice, the organizations said. They urged governments not to renew African Union calls for non-cooperation in the arrest of International Criminal Court (ICC) suspect President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan. They also raised concerns about proposed plans to expand the jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights to prosecute international crimes. And they called for the African Union to ensure that Senegal fulfillsits pledge to prosecute Hissène Habré, the former Chadian president who is implicated in crimes against humanity.

The letter was endorsed by organizations across Africa that are among the most active participants in an informal network of African civil society organizations and international organizations with a presence in Africa who work to promote justice for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.