Archive for category Sudan
6 June 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by annarmumford in Crimes against Humanity, Fatuo Bensouda, ICC, Investigations, News about the Courts, Sudan, Syria, UN Security Council, Victims, War Crimes on June 6, 2013
Russian diplomat predicts UN delays in Syrian investigation: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennadiy Gatilov considers a prompt UN investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Syria problematic. Gatilov finds it unlikely the UN will be permitted to send teams in to the country to collect samples. Furthermore, due to the upcoming second international conference on Syria, recent UN plans to conduct an investigation into alleged chemical attacks have been halted. Gatilov’s statements come days after France confirmed samples taken from Syria tested positive for sarin gas and the UN released a report finding “reasonable grounds” that chemical agents were used in the country.
Victim representative wants ICC Ruto case in Arusha: The Legal Representative for Victims in the ICC’s case against Deputy President William Ruto believes the trial should be heard in Arusha. William Nderitu stated today, 6 June 2013, that he was concerned proceedings in The Hague would hinder victim participation and draw out the length of the trial. Nderitu considers Arusha a more appropriate venue to bring peace and justice to the victims. While nearly all the victims represented by Nderitu have expressed preference for The Hague, Nderitu discredits their reasons as illegitimate.
Bensouda pushes for UN Security Council action in Darfur: ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda urged the UN Security Council at a briefing yesterday, 5 June 2013, to take timely action on the dire situation in Darfur. Bensouda voiced disappointment that ICC indictee’s remained at large, traveling across borders, and engaging in relations with the UN. The Prosecutor cautioned that these individuals would “continue to represent a threat to international peace and security” if left unpunished. Bensouda foresees further deaths and deteriorating conditions until the Council steps up and adopts sufficient measures to ensure victims are protected and the accused are brought to justice.
ICC indictees attack town in Darfur: Former Commander of the Janjaweed militia, Ali Kushayb, participated in an attack in Darfur this April, said ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda at a UN briefing yesterday. Witnesses allege the Sudanese government “staged the attack” in an effort to aid supporters in acquiring rival land. It was reported that thousands of civilians were forced into Chad to escape gun fire and burning buildings, and more than 100 individuals were killed. Kushayb, along with President Omar al-Bashir and other high level Sudanese officials, is wanted by the ICC for crimes committed in Sudan over the past 10 years.
3 June 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by katesgibson in Crimes against Humanity, Gaddafi, ICC, Investigations, Kenya, Libya, Other domestic courts, Post-Election Violence, Sudan, War Crimes on June 3, 2013
Libya will appeal ICC’s admissibility decision regarding Saif: Libya announced this week that it would file an official appeal against the International Criminal Court’s decision of 31 May 2013 which rejected Libya’s admissibility challenge and reminded Libya of its obligation to surrender Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi to the ICC. At a joint news conference on Sunday 2 June, Libya’s Prime Minister Al Zeidan and Justice Minister Salah al-Marghani stated that an official appeal would be lodged with the ICC and that ”a team of Libyan and international experts are discussing the preparation of the appeal.” The ICC, in its admissibility decision, said Libya had not shown sufficient capacity to investigate and prosecute the son of ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi for war crimes and crimes against humanity. (For additional information on this topic, please 1. click here and 2. click here)
Ruto trial delayed at ICC: On Monday, 3 June, judges at the International Criminal Court scheduled the trial start date for Kenyan President-elect William Ruto for 10 September. The original start date of 28 May was postponed to allow prosecutors and defence attorneys the opportunity to prepare witnesses and conduct further evidence investigations. Judges presented their decision to delay trial for Ruto and co-accused Joshua Arap-Sang with recommendations that portions of the trial be conducted in Kenyan courts or neutral Tanzania. (For additional information on this topic, please click here)
HRW report identifies ICC suspect Kushayb in April attack: Human Rights Watch released a report this week, detailing how Sudanese militia leader Ali Kushayb was involved in an attack on a central Darfur town earlier this year. Kushayb and other members of pro-Sudanese Government Janjaweed fighters reportedly travelled to Abu Jeradil and attacked a rival tribe in early April. Kushayb was indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes he allegedly committed during 2007 Janjaweed attacks in the Darfur Region. (For additional information on this topic, please click here)
29 April 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by spencercasement in Crimes against Humanity, ICC, Investigations, Ivory Coast, Kenya, News about the Courts, South Sudan, Sudan on April 29, 2013
UN official applauds talks between Sudan and South Sudan: On 25 April 2013, it was announced by the top UN humanitarian official in Sudan that The Government and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-North) spoke directly at a meeting under the auspices of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel in Addis Ababa on 22 and 23 April. Aid, which has not reached the Blue Nile state for over two years, finally began to flow earlier this month. The UN states that it is ready to provide immediate relief to the region once access opens up.
(For additional information on this topic, please click here)
Judge hearing Kenyatta Case removes herself, criticizing prosecution: On 27 April 2013, it was confirmed that ICC judge, Christine Van Den Wyngaert, asked to be excused from hearing the crimes against humanity case against William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta. The reason for her resignation cannot be confirmed but the judge has made critical comments about the prosecution and its failure to comply with obligations for conducting a full and thorough investigation of the case against the two Kenyans. The cases now will be heard in The Hague-based court by Judge Robert Fremr, who replaces Van Den Wyngaert, presiding Judge Kuniko Ozaki and Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji. In a majority decision the trial chamber agreed that charges against Kenyatta will remain as confirmed for the trial set for July 9 this year.
Warlords plundering Ivory Coast exports: On 28 April 2013, UN officials announced Warlord military commanders in Ivory Coast are currently making hundreds of millions of dollars by plundering the country’s exports of cocoa and other resources. The UN issued report has called on the Ivory Coast government to “take all measures necessary to curb the large-scale smuggling of cocoa, cashew nuts, cotton, timber, gold and all commodities illegally exiting or entering the country, in particular across the borders with Ghana.” The report also said that while Forces Nouvelles dominates the military, Liberian mercenaries and Gbagbo activists in Ghana still remain a security threat.
(For additional information on this topic, please click here)
26 April 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by cdelaubenfels in AU, Chad, Crimes against Humanity, ICC, Kenya, News about the Courts, Ocampo, Post-Election Violence, Rome Statute, Sudan, Victims, War Crimes on April 27, 2013
Ruto’s lawyers seek trial postponement: On 26 April 2013, Kenyan Deputy-President William Ruto’s lawyer, Karim Khan, asked the ICC to postpone Ruto’s trial until at least November so the defense can prepare properly. Ruto’s case has already been delayed once to give the defense adequate time to prepare; Ruto is set to go on trial on 28 May. Khan stated that the prosecution has delayed transferring crucial information to the defense. Ruto is charged with three counts of crimes against humanity for his role in the 2007-2008 post-election violence. Last week Ruto requested the ICC waive his right to be present at trial; this week the lawyers for the victims of the post-election violence opposed that request. (To read more on this topic, click here.)
HRW calls on Chad to arrest Sudanese Defense Minister: On 25 April 2013, Human Rights Watch called on the government of Chad to arrest Sudanese defense minister Abdel-Rahim Mohammed Hussein, who is attending a conference in the country and is wanted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity. This is the first time Hussein has visited a state party to the Rome Statute since being charged by the ICC in March 2012. Hussein served as Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s interior minister during the height of the conflict in Darfur in 2004; former ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo stated that Hussein is among those who “bear greatest criminal responsibility” for the atrocities committed in Sudan. Although as a state party Chad has the obligation to arrest any suspects, Chad has repeatedly allowed Bashir to visit. While the AU has urged member states not to cooperate with the ICC in arresting Bashir, Chad and other state parties to the Rome statute have received pressure from hundreds of human rights groups, law societies, and the European Union to execute ICC arrest warrants.
Death of Khmer Rouge leader worries victims: On 25 April 2013, victims of the 1970s Cambodian atrocities commented that they worried that justice will not be served on the two Khmer Rouge leaders on trial. Last month Ieng Sary, a former leader of Khmer Rouge, died in the midst of trial. Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, the former Khmer Rouge leaders on trial, are both aging and the trial is progressing slowly. The Khmer Rouge Tribunal, which was founded in 2006, has only convicted one person in relation to the atrocities that killed approximately 2-million Cambodians.
23 April 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
ICC Suspect Saleh Mohammed Jerbo reportedly killed in Darfur: Deputy general commander of the JEM-Bashar faction Saleh Mohammed Jerbo has been killed in a North Darfur battle last week according to the faction. The ICC indicted Jerbo last year for his alleged involvement in the killing of 12 peacekeepers during a raid by 1,000 rebels on a UNAMID compound in Sudan in 2007. Jerbo’s trial was set for 5 May 2014.
Former Commander Chhouk Rin takes the stand at Khmer Rouge tribunal: Former Khmer Rouge Commander Chhouk Rin, 60, took the stand yesterday at the Khmer Rouge tribunal. Judges and prosecutors described him as a hostile witness who was insulting the court and “wast[ing] everyone’s time.” Rin – who is serving time in Prey Sar prison after being convicted of killing 13 Cambodians and 3 foreigners in the mid-nineties – initially refused to cooperate or answer questions on the grounds that his imprisonment had diminished his health to such a degree that he could not undergo questioning. Rin eventually cooperated, and pointed to Nuon Chea as the mastermind behind the Khmer Rouge’s actions.
Thai legal team optimistic that falsified border map will lead to ICJ win: The Thai legal team says that Cambodia’s use of a falsified border map before the International Court of Justice is key evidence that may lead to a verdict in favor of Thailand. Head of the Thai legal team Virachai Plasai said the team first noticed Cambodia’s falsified map in 2011 and have since corrected the map in Thailand’s first written defense. However, he states that Cambodia has used the same map with “colorful adjustments” as recently as March 2012. The dispute between Cambodia and Thailand about the area surrounding the 11th century Preah Vihear Temple in the Dangrek Mountains is a century old, with the latest iteration of the dispute arising in 2008.
Guatemala suspends referendum with Belize over territorial dispute: Guatemala officially suspended the referendum regarding taking their enduring territorial dispute with Belize to the International Court of Justice. Guatemala seeks to recover 4,737 square miles of territory from present-day Belize. The area equals approximately half of Belize’s territory. Foreign minister Fernando Carerra said that “conditions do not exist” for holding the referendum asking the Central American countries’ citizens to approve the submission of the dispute to the ICJ. Carerra cited the Belizean government’s failure to accept Guatemala’s proposal for moving the referendum date forward and modifying Belizean election laws requiring 60% turnout and 51% majority to implement referendum terms.
16 April 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by Maureen Q. McGough in DRC, ICC, Kenya, Sudan, War Crimes, Witnesses on April 16, 2013
ICC terminates Mastanga witess investigation: The investigation into allegations that Ugandan peace negotiator David Mastanga tampered with evidence provided by Witness 4 in the Kenyatta trial has been terminated. The probe most recently saw the ICC sending investigators to Kenya to interview Mastanga, who was never actually prosecuted over the claims. When contacted about the Court’s decision, Mastaga said “I want to take this opportunity to thank the office of the prosecutor and especially Fatou Bensouda for the timely decision of terminating all investigations against me.”
Bemba trial briefly postponed: There were no hearings in the Jean-Pierre Bemba trial at the ICC today, as the eighteenth defense witness’ appearance was postponed until Wednesday, April 17. The Court was planning on hearing the testimony remotely, as the defense cited “logistical difficulties” in bring the witness to the Hague, including that the witness does not have a passport or visa. The former vice president of Congo has been on trial since November 2010 for crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Justice minister requests forces to capture Darfur suspects in Sudan: Mohamed Bushara Dousa – Sudan’s justice minister – asked president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir to establish a joint force under the special crimes prosecutor to aid in capturing fugitives. Addressing a legal reform conference in Khartoum, Dousa also mentioned that the special prosecutor has completed investigations of 40 cases referred by the courts.
ICC warns against contacting witnesses: The defense teams of President Kenyatta and deputy William Ruto are prohibited from contacting their witnesses 24 hours prior to their testimony. The ICC directive prohibits the same activity for chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. Additionally, once a witness has begun to testify, “the calling party’s contact with the witness is restricted to its examination in court, unless otherwise authorized by the Chamber.” The judges of Chamber V did however say that parties are permitted to have “non-substantive” conversations within the 24 hour period.
12 April 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by cdelaubenfels in aggression, Balkans, Crimes against Humanity, Human Rights Violations, ICC, ICTY, Kenya, News about the Courts, Post-Election Violence, Rome Statute, Sudan, UN General Assembly, War Crimes on April 13, 2013
Ugandan President criticizes ICC at Kenyatta’s Inauguration: On 9 April 2013, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni spoke at Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s inauguration. During his speech, Museveni accused the ICC of blackmail, incompetence, and self-interest in charging Kenyatta for crimes against humanity relating to his actions in the 2007-2008 post-election violence. Kenyatta and Vice-President William Ruto, who is also charged by the ICC with crimes against humanity, have cultivated an anti-imperialist tone among some Kenyans recently. On 10 April, the ICC dismissed Museveni’s attack and stated that the court is operating under a judicial mandate, that there are no political considerations in taking up cases, and that Uganda is a state party to the Rome Convention who referred Joseph Kony to the ICC. Kenyatta is the first ICC indictee to be made head of state. (For more information on this topic, please click here.)
Released Macedonian war crimes convict receives hero’s welcome: On 11 April 2013, Johan Tarkulovski, a convicted war criminal, returned to Macedonia after serving eight of a twelve year prison sentence. Tarkulovski was greeted at the airport by relatives and the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and tens of thousands of people gathered in Macedonia’s capital. Tarkulovski was convicted by the ICTY for the murder of three ethnic Albanians and the destruction of twelve houses during a 2001 conflict in Northern Macedonia. Albert Musliu, a political analyst, stated that there was a sense of disappointment in the ethnic Albanian population for greeting a man convicted of murdering civilians with a hero’s welcome.
Serbian President attacks ICTY at UN debate: On 10 April 2013, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic heavily criticized the ICTY as being a “biased inquisition” at a UN General Assembly debate. Nikolic stated that the ICTY has been biased against Serbians, which has made reconciliation in the Balkans difficult. However, Croatian Representative to the UN Ranko Vilovik stated that the ICTY deserved support. The United States, Canada, and Jordan boycotted the debate because they deemed it “unbalanced” and “inflammatory.” Vuk Jeremic, a Serbian politician and President of the UN General Assembly, stated that the debate on the role of international war crimes courts was the biggest debate in the history of the UN.
Human Rights Watch says Syrian attacks amount to war crimes: On 11 April 2013, HRW released a report documenting Syrian government attacks that are indiscriminate and sometimes deliberately directed at civilians, which amount to war crimes. The HRW report also criticized the Free Syrian Army and other rebel armies for setting up their headquarters in densely populated areas. On 11 April the Syrian government was accused of massacring 60 civilians in a village in southern Syrian. (For more on this topic, please click here.)
Central Darfur fights say they are close to capturing ICC indictee: On 10 April 2013, Al Bashir Idris Garagandi, spokesman of the Salamat Shura a Sudanese tribal group, announced that his fighters are very close to capturing Ali Kushayb, a Sudanese military leader who was indicted by the ICC for war crimes in 2007. There have been battles over the last week between Salamat and Misseriya fighters—who are allegedly led by Kushayb—throughout Darfur; an estimated 163 people have already been killed in the conflicts.
10 April 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by cdelaubenfels in Crimes against Humanity, ECCC, Gender crimes, Genocide, Human Rights Violations, ICC, ICTY, Investigations, jurisdiction, News about the Courts, Rome Statute, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Torture, UN Human Rights Council, UN Security Council, Victims, War Crimes, Witnesses on April 10, 2013
Bosnian-Serb president testifies for Karadzic: On 9 April 2013, Milorad Dodik, president of the Serb portion of Bosnia, Republika Srpska, testified for the defense in the Radovan Karadzic case. Karadzic, former president of Republika Srpska, is charged with genocide and crimes against humanity by the ICTY. In his testimony, Dodik blamed the Muslims in Bosnia for starting the war and stated that Serbs were defending themselves. Dodik has consistently denied the Srebrenica genocide committed by Bosnian-Serbs and is critical of the ICTY and any other tribunal where Serbs have been sentenced for war crimes.
Ki-moon says war crimes investigation possible in South Sudan: On 9 April 2013, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that an investigation could be launched in South Sudan to analyze if war crimes were committed in an attack where five UN peacekeepers and seven other persons were killed. Ki-moon and the UN Security Council called for South Sudan’s government to quickly bring the perpetrators to justice. Although South Sudan is not a party to the Rome Statute, the ICC has jurisdiction over the killing of peacekeepers, which is a war crime. South Sudan blamed the attacks on a rebel group lead by David Yau Yau.
US calls for Sri Lanka to make public war crimes inquiry: On 9 April 2013, United States ambassador to Sri Lanka Michele J. Sison stated that Sri Lanka should make public an army inquiry into alleged war crimes committed at the end of Sri Lanka’s 30-year civil war. Sison said that Sri Lanka must confront the human rights abuses that were committed during the civil war in order to move forward. Recently, the UN Human Rights Council adapted a resolution, sponsored by the US, calling for an “independent and credible internal investigation” into alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
Khmer Rouge Tribunal continues with testimony of French priest: On 10 April 2013, Francois Ponchaud, a French Catholic priest and Khmer Rouge historian, testified before the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. Ponchaud’s testimony resumed the tribunal proceedings as the court has recently struggled with funding and was delayed due to the death of a co-defendant, Ieng Sary. Two Khmer Rogue leaders, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, are currently being tried for crimes against humanity and genocide. Ponchaud told the court about atrocities that the Khmer Rouge infamously committed, but also heavily criticized Western states and the UN for standing by as atrocities occurred to the Cambodian people.
Sudanese military leader indicted by the ICC may be leading Darfur tribal violence: On 9 April 2013, it was reported that Ali Kushayb, who was indicted by the ICC in 2007 for war crimes, is leading tribal clashes in Darfur that began last week. The violence, which is spreading throughout Darfur, is between the Misseriya and Salamat tribes; the Misseriya have support of the Central Reserve Forces. The ICC wants Kushayb for murder, rape, and forcibly displacing thousands of people.
NY Judge approves extradition of war crimes suspect to Bosnia: On 9 April 2013, it was announced that there was enough evidence against Sulejman Mujagic for committing war crimes, a man living in Utica, NY, to extradite him to Bosnia to face trial. Mujagic is accused of killing an unarmed soldier and torturing another during the Bosnian War in 1995. Mujagic was fighting for a region that had seceded from the central government.
Guatemala war crime trial implicates current president: On 4 April 2013, a former Guatemalan soldier, Hugo Reyes, testifying in the Efrain Rios Montt trial accused President Otto Perez Molina of ordering pillaging and executions during the country’s 36-year civil war. Perez said the accusations are lies. Prosecutor Orlando Lopez stated that Reyes’ testimony is 100 percent credible, but reaffirmed that the focus is on Montt and that he would study the accusations against Molina after this case. Montt, the 86-year old ex-military strongman, is charged with genocide.
Slovakia calls for Hungary to extradite war crimes suspect: On 9 April 2013, Slovakian prosecutors pressed for the extradition of Hungarian 98-year old war crimes suspect Laszio Csatary. A Slovak court sentenced Csatary to death in 1948 for committing crimes against Jews during WWII, but that conviction was commuted to life in prison to align with Slovak law. Csatary, was arrested in Hungary last year and is under house arrest.
9 April 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by Maureen Q. McGough in Gaddafi, ICC, ICTY, Kenya, Libya, Post-Election Violence, Sudan, War Crimes on April 9, 2013
Indian UN Peacekeepers killed in South Sudan: Approximately 200 armed attackers ambushed a supply convoy in South Sudan today. Five UN peacekeepers and seven civilians were killed. Nine other members of the convoy were injured. The attack occurred in the eastern state of Jonglei, which has been plagued by tribal violence and battles between insurgents and government forces. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon called on South Sudan “to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice,” stressing that the killing of peacekeepers constitutes a war crime and is under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
Kenyatta sworn in as President of Kenya: Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in as President of Kenya today in front of more than 60,000 people in a Nairobi stadium. South Africa’s Jacob Zuma, Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni were present for the ceremony, while Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir – who was rumored to be attending – did not show. At 51 years old, Kenyatta is Kenya’s youngest president. He currently faces charges at the International Criminal Court for his alleged role in the violence that occurred in Kenya after their previous elections.
Libya and Egypt appeal ruling blocking extradition of Kadhafi’s cousin: In a Tripoli press conference, Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said that “The governments of Libya and Egypt have decided to appeal the Egyptian administrative court’s order against the extradition” of Moamer Kadhafi’s cousin Ahmed Qaddaf al-Dam to Libya. Dam was arrested in Cairo last month after the Libyan prosecutor issued an international warrant for his arrest, but the Egyptian court ruled against his extradition. The court found that because Dam was being investigated for alleged war crimes inside Egypt, he should be tried there as opposed to in Libya.
Mladic trial adjourned for medical reasons: International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Judge Alphons Orie has adjourned the trial of former Bosnian Serb Commander Ratko Mladic because he was unable to be present at trial due to medical reasons. Doctors have advised Mladic, 71, to rest and recover after a medical operation. Mladic faces 11 charges of genocide and crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the deaths of thousands of Muslims during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the early nineties.
3 April 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by cdelaubenfels in Admissibility / Primacy, amnesty, AU, CAR, Crimes against Humanity, Fair trial/Accused's rights, Fatuo Bensouda, Gaddafi, Genocide, Human Rights Violations, ICC, ICTR, ICTY, immunity, Investigations, jurisdiction, Liberia, Libya, News about the Courts, Other domestic courts, Rome Statute, South Sudan, Sudan, Truth Commissions, Uganda, Victims, War Crimes on April 4, 2013
Libya seeks to try Senussi: On 3 April 2013, the ICC published Libya’s Admissibility Challenge against Abdullah Al-Senussi pursuant Article 19 of the Rome Statute. The Admissibility Challenge requested that the Court find Libya able and willing to try Al-Senussi in Libya, and as a result of filing the Admissibility Challenge asked that the Court’s outstanding Request for Arrest and Surrender of Al-Senussi be postponed pursuant to Article 95 of the Rome Statute. The ICC indicted Al-Senussi, Muammar Gaddafi’s former spy chief, in June 2011 for crimes against humanity. Al-Senussi is currently jailed in Libya after he was extradited from Mauritania to Libya in September 2012. The Libyan government has said that trying Al-Senussi is an important part of building a democratic Libya based on the rule of law. Al-Senussi’s defense lawyer, however, doubts Libya’s ability to provide a fair trial and may result in the death penalty—which the ICC does not condone. Libya’s Article 19 Admissibility Challenge against AL-Senussi follows Libya’s Admissibility Challenge against Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi which was filed on 1 May 2012 with continuing proceedings on admissibility to date. A decision on the Admissibility Challenge against Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi is expected soon.
United States announces $5-million bounty for Kony: On 3 April 2013, the Obama administration announced a five-million dollar bounty for Joseph Kony, leader of the Uganda rebel group Lord’s Resistance Army, and his top aides. There is an ICC arrest warrant out for Kony for crimes against humanity. Previously the United States had only issued rewards for war crimes suspects wanted by the ICTR and ICTY, this is the first reward offered for suspects wanted by the ICC. Kony, who is accused of ordering widespread atrocities in Uganda since the 1980s, is suspected to be in hiding in the Central African Republic.
United States N.G.O. calls for war crimes investigation into Sudan: On 3 April 2013, a United States based advocacy grouped released a report alleging that Sudan has committed war crimes since 2011 in southern Sudan. The report details testimony and photographic evidence of the burning of farm and grazing land and the destruction of 42 villages and calls for an international criminal investigation. On 2 April, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda renewed her call for the arrest of Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir and other suspects wanted by the ICC. Bensouda made the statement at a ceremony marking the beginning of genocide awareness month; Bashir has outstanding ICC warrants for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. On 1 April, President Bashir announced that the government would release political prisoners; a welcome announcement to human rights advocates, but one met with skepticism. (For additional information on this topic, please click here and here
France announces first trial of a Rwandan for genocide: On April 2 2013, a French court, for the first time, ordered a Rwandan to be tried in national courts for genocide. Pascal Simbikangwa, a former Rwandan army captain who was arrested in France in 2008, is facing charges of complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity. In 2010, France established a court to try genocide and crimes against humanity involving suspects detained in France. France has been unwilling to extradite genocide suspects to Rwanda out of concern for fair trials, but has sent some suspects to the ICTR in Tanzania. The spokesperson for Rwanda’s national prosecution authority praised France’s decision to try genocide suspects.
Slovakia to hold a new trial for 98 year old Hungarian Nazi: On April 2 2013, a Slovak court declared that they will seek the extradition of 98-year old war criminal, Laszlo Csatary, to Slovakia so he can be tried for crimes against humanity. Csatary was convicted in absentia of war crimes in 1948 and was sentenced to death. In order to facilitate with extradition request with Hungary and to comply with current Slovakian law, Slovakia confirmed that it would seek life imprisonment. Between 1941 and 1944, Csatary tortured Jews and sent 16,000 to death camps.
Charles Taylor comments on the death of Moses Blah: On April 2 2013, former Liberian President Charles Taylor commented on the death of Moses Blah, the man who succeeded Taylor. Taylor said he forgave Blah for testifying against him at the ICC where Taylor was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Blah had been Vice President under Taylor’s regime and testified to Taylor’s interactions with child soldiers. Taylor said Blah was a victim of an international conspiracy.
Nepal Supreme Court blocks probe into civil war crimes: On 2 April 2013, the Nepalese Supreme Court blocked a new law that would establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to probe war crimes committed during Nepal’s ten year civil war. Judge Shushila Karki issued an interim order against the law out of concerns that the commission could allow amnesties for serious human rights violations. More than 17,000 citizens died during the civil war between Maoist rebels and the state.
