Citizens for Global Solutions

U.S. GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT | Poll: Darfur and the ICC

Encouraging Sign for Strong US Involvement in ICC Investigation of Atrocities in Sudan

Deputy Secretary Robert Zoellick spoke positively about the ICC’s role in Darfur in a recent Q&A session. He called the Court a “useful deterrent” that could serve as a tool to stop the violence in Darfur. By referring Darfur to the ICC, he said the international community sends “a signal about accountability” to the perpetrators of the violence. His comments give rise to encouragement that the US will cooperate with the ICC in Darfur.

Equally encouraging, the American public has reaffirmed that it wants greater US involvement with the ICC in Darfur. A recent poll by the respected Zolby International polling group indicates that Americans support US cooperation with the ICC in Darfur. Of the 1,000 Americans polled, 91% said the U.S. should cooperate with the ICC to help bring to justice those accused of crimes against humanity.

Other results from the poll suggest that the American public wants a robust response to the genocide from the US. 84% indicated that they felt the US should not tolerate an extremist government committing such attacks, and that the US should use its military assets, short of inserting U.S. combat troops on the ground to protect civilians, to help bring them to a halt.

The comments of Deputy Secretary Zoellick are encouraging. As the American public has demonstrated, they support the ICC as an important mechanism through which to ameliorate the violence in Darfur. The administration needs to realign itself with the views of the American public and cooperate with the ICC. Zoellick’s position on the Court marks a move in the right direction.

Updated December 15, 2005

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