Archive for category Uncategorized
7 May 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by Maureen Q. McGough in Uncategorized on May 7, 2013
ICC trial of Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto postponed: Trial Chamber V has agreed to postpone the May 28 trial date of Deputy President William Ruto and Joshua arap Sang. The parties had a closed-door status conference today regarding the schedule change and other procedural matters and will announce the new trial date after a status conference set for next Tuesday.
UN names members to North Korean human rights probe: Experts from Serbia, Australia, and Indonesia have been named by the U.N. Human Rights Council to carry out an inquiry into possible crimes against humanity in North Korea. Retired Australian judge Michael Donald Kirby, Serbian founder and president of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Sonja Biserko and Indonesian lawyer Marzuki will pursue the year-long probe into what U.N. officials describe as “widespread and systematic human rights violations in North Korea.”
93 year old U.S. deportee charged with war crimes in Germany: 93 year old Hans Lipschis was taken into German custody over 70 years after the U.S. deported him for lying about his Nazi past. Authorities arrested Lipschis after concluding that there “was compelling evidence” of his participation in war crimes in Auschwitz between 1941 to 1945. The U.S. deported Lipschis when he immigrated to Chicago in the 1950’s. Previously, there was no evidence connecting him to war crimes, however, Germany has recently begun pursuing convictions because a person served in a death camp because the camp’s only function was to kill.
14 March 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by kchin2014 in Crimes against Humanity, ECCC, Fair trial/Accused's rights, Fatuo Bensouda, Gender crimes, Genocide, Human Rights Treaties and Charters, Human Rights Violations, ICC, Investigations, Kenya, News about the Courts, Post-Election Violence, Responsibility to Protect, Rome Statute, Sri Lanka, Syria, Torture, Truth Commissions, UN General Assembly, UN Human Rights Council, UN Security Council, Uncategorized, Victims, War Crimes, Witnesses on March 14, 2013
Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary dies at 87: On 14 March 2013, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) confirmed that Ieng Sary, who was charged with crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes, has died. Sary was the brother-in-law of Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, and had served as foreign minister and deputy prime minister. During its brief reign from 1975 to 1979, the Khmer Rouge killed over 2,000,000 people. Lars Olsen, spokesperson for the court, stated that ”[w]e understand that many people are disappointed that we cannot complete the proceedings against Ieng Sary and determine his guilt ori nnocence on the charges against him, but Case Two is not over, and the charges against Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan will be pursued.”
Amnesty International calls for ICC action in Syria: On 14 March 2013, Amnesty International Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa Ann Harrison called upon the UN Security Council to refer war crimes cases, against both government and rebel forces, to the International Criminal Court (ICC). According to the group’s latest study, there is evidence of the use of “internationally banned weapons,” child soldiers, torture, extrajudicial killings, and the targeting of civilians. The ICC cannot act without a referral by the Security Council.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda requests charges against Francis Muthaura dropped: On 11 March 2013, ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda requested that the charges against Francis Muthaura for inciting the post-election violence of 2007 in Kenya, be dropped. Bensouda stated that the charges could not be sustained because the Kenyan government has failed to produce necessary documents, because most of the witnesses had died, and because the remaining key witnesses had been bribed. Although the court has yet to approve the request, it is expected to do so in the coming days.
US Congressman Eliot Engel calls for independent investigation in Sri Lanka: On 14 March 2013, US Congressman Eliot Engel of New York submitted a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, stating that the United States should “join the call for an independent international investigation” into the Sri Lankan government’s post-war actions. Engel’s letter, which cites numerous flaws with the current investigative mechanism, the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), echoes growing international sentiment that the Sri Lankan government has not made a good faith effort to investigate documented human rights abuses.
21 February 2013 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by Maureen Q. McGough in Uncategorized on February 22, 2013
Gbagbo lawyer slams “political trial” as ICC confirmation hearing continues: In yesterday’s continuation of Laurent Gbagbo’s confirmation hearing, his lawyer spoke strongly against what he deemed a “political trial” at the ICC. “The Ivorian people deserve better than a political trial, they deserve a trial of those who are really responsible for the country’s decade-long destruction and the court deserves to have been able to look at what really happened in Ivory Coast,” lawyer Emmanuel Altit told the court. Gbagbo is charged with four counts of crimes against humanity for his alleged role as the mastermind of a campaign of violence during the 2010-2011 presidential election in Cote d’Ivoire. Meanwhile, Gbagbo asserts that he was evicted from his rightful post as the Ivorian president through a plot by the French. The hearing is expected to last into next week, with Gbagbo speaking on February 28.
ICTR explains delay in French delay of genocide trials: The ICTR registrar Christopher Bongani Majola cited “structural concerns” as the explanation for why the trials of Wenceslas Munyeshyaka and Laurent Bucybaruta have been delayed. Their cases were referred to Paris under the ICTR’s 2007 completion strategy. “The issue of the two cases transferred to France remain of grave concern to the entire tribunal,” said Majola. “The cases have been delayed for quite a long time but the ICTR has not just sat down and done nothing. We have sent delegations to France to express our concerns that the investigations are moving slowly and that they are not reaching the trial stage.” His remarks come on the heels of concerns expressed by Rwanda’s Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga over the delays.
EU calls on Cambodia to contribute more money to war crimes tribunal: The European Union called on Cambodia to contribute more funding for the Khmer Rouge war crimes tribunal, where staff resignations and funding challenges have slowed proceedings. Under the agreement establishing the tribunal, the United Nations is responsible for funding international staff and operations. Cambodia is responsible for paying the “national side,” though the Cambodian government has since been criticized for failing to adequately support the tribunal. The EU is encouraging the Cambodian government to increase its own contribution to the tribunal in the hopes of improving the tribunal’s sustainability and sense of ownership by the Cambodian people and government.
8 October 2012 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by syhoekstra in Crimes against Humanity, Genocide, Human Rights Treaties and Charters, Human Rights Violations, ICC, ICT of Bangladesh, Investigations, jurisdiction, Kenya, Liberia, News about the Courts, Ocampo, Other domestic courts, Rwanda, SCSL, Torture, Uncategorized, Victims, War Crimes, Witnesses on October 8, 2012
SCSL sentencing hearing for contempt convicts: On 5 October 2012, the Special Court for Sierra Leone held a hearing regarding the sentencing of four former Armed Forces Revolutionary Council members. All were convicted of contempt of court for coercing prosecution witnesses into recanting their testimony. Two of the four participated via video link because they are currently serving sentences in Rwanda for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Investigator in Taylor prosecution arrested for witness tampering: On 6 October 2012, a Sierra Leonean investigator connected with the defence team of Charles Taylor was arrested for contempt of the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The indictment contains nine counts of interfering with four witnesses who testified at the Taylor trial and one potential witness who never testified. The information for the investigation that led to this indictment came at the sentencing hearing of Eric Koi Senessie, who the SCSL convicted of contempt in June.
Kenyans’ claims against British colonial government going to trial: A judge in the High Court of London ruled last week that three Kenyans suing the British government for various human rights violations have a claim that should be tried. The alleged abuses took place during the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya during the 1950’s and 60’s. Thus, there have been several concerns regarding evidence gathering and the timeframe within which a plaintiff can legally bring a claim. The British government has offered several defences in the past three years in an attempt to prevent a trial, and it will try to settle the matter out of court.
Jurisdiction not the original question in Kiobel: The Supreme Court of the United States heard oral argument on 1 October 2012 for the case of Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Company. The original question brought before the Supreme Court in February was whether corporations could be liable under the Alien Tort Statute, a law American lawyers have used to bring international human rights suits in U.S. courts for roughly three decades. But three private lawyers, all former high-ranking U.S. government attorneys, representing clients with possible future ATS liability filed amicus briefs arguing that allegations of conduct on foreign soil had no place in American courts. The Supreme Court was so receptive to this issue that the case was reargued last week. The decision may have wide-ranging effects on U.S. courts as a forum for international human rights suits (for an audio recording of the oral argument last week, click here).
ICC trial will not reschedule for Kenyan run-off: This weekend, prosecutors for the ICC said they would not postpone the starting court date for trials regarding Kenya’s post-election violence that took place following the country’s 2007 contest. Last week, the ICC announced the trial would begin on April 10, 2013, one day before the scheduled Kenyan run-off election, in which two of the accused will likely take part. It is not clear whether the Kenyan government will formally appeal this decision to the ICC, but the country’s Attorney General has made it clear that he is displeased with the decision. Some have expressed concerns that the trial date might affect the outcome of the election or even pose a national security threat (for more information on this topic, click here).
ICT Bangladesh will try Azad in absentia: On 7 October 2010, the ICT Bangladesh announced it will try Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in absentia. The prosecutors formally charge the former Jamaat-y-Islami leader over a month ago, but he is currently in hiding. On 25 September, Two national newspapers printed notices that Azad had to appear before the tribunal within ten days. He did not appear, so the court has appointed his defence lawyer, and ordered the prosecution to furnish the lawyer with relevant documents to begin the proceedings.
Ocampo to run World Bank corruption panel: On 5 October 2010, the World Bank announced that former ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo will lead an investigation into allegations of government corruption in Bangladesh. Because of these allegations, the bank cancelled its funding for a bridge over the Padma River that would connect the poorer southern region of Bangladesh to the country’s capital and main port. It will resume funding if the Bangladeshi government will comply with certain terms, including submitting to the inquiry of Mr. Ocampo’s panel. Along with Mr. Ocampo on the panel will be former anti-corruption government officials from Hong Kong and Great Britain.
24 September 2012 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by syhoekstra in CAR, Crimes against Humanity, DRC, ECCC, Genocide, Human Rights Treaties and Charters, Human Rights Violations, ICC, Investigations, jurisdiction, Kenya, News about the Courts, Rome Statute, Sri Lanka, Syria, Torture, UN General Assembly, UN Human Rights Council, Uncategorized, Victims, War Crimes, Witnesses on September 24, 2012
Anonymous CAR intelligence officer questioned in private: Last week, a former CAR intelligence officer was cross-examined by the prosecution in the trial of former DRC President Jean-Pierre Bemba. Most of the questioning was held behind closed doors. The section held in open court included identity protecting measures for the witness, such as image and voice distortion. The witness testified that Bemba’s troops received their orders as well as supplies and money from the CAR president when they allegedly committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during their time helping the former CAR president fight an attempted coup. The defense will continue to argue that Bemba was not responsible for the actions of those troops. This anonymous witness is the fifth of approximately 60 Bemba’s defense plans to call (for more on this topic, 1. click here and 2. Click here).
ICC may have jurisdiction over Tana clashes: In Kenya, experts are debating over whether the recent violence along the Tana River between two tribes fighting for land and natural resources amounts to international crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute. The questions revolve around how systematic and organized the violence has been and whether or not the struggle was a political one. Even if the killings do fall under ICC jurisdiction, Kenya may seek to handle the legal proceedings domestically with the ICC assisting in a capacity-building role (for more on this topic, click here).
11 convicted of war crimes by Serbian court: On 19 September 2012, 11 of 17 defendants in a Serbian war crimes court were convicted of torturing over 230 people in 1999, including over 80 who were tortured to death, during the conflict in Kosovo. All received 5 to 15-year-long sentences. Two of the convicts were sentenced in absentia because they are currently on the run. The six other defendants were acquitted.
Sri Lankans protest UN human rights investigators: On 20 September 2012, about 300 protesters led by monks of the Buddhist National Party demonstrated against the presence of UN Human Rights Counsel investigators in the country. The protesters alleged that Sri Lanka was being unfairly criticized for the violence toward the end of the country’s recent war, which ended in 2009. They see this visit as the first step in subjecting the nation to an investigation regarding international war crimes. The UN has already adopted a resolution urging the country to investigate these allegations itself.
More health problems delay Khmer Rouge trials: Last week, doctors for the former Foreign Affairs Minister of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge government, Ieng Sary, announced Ieng will need to be in the hospital for at least another month due to new medical problems. Ieng, one of three defendants remaining from the 1970’s Cambodian regime, has suffered from a plethora of medical issues, and is now experiencing numbness and dizziness due to his neck bone stemming his blood flow. His wife, Ieng Thirith, was last week deemed unfit for trial because of a degenerative mental illness presumed to be Alzheimer’s. This is the first time significant medical difficulties are interfering with the trials of the elderly former Khmer Rouge officials, which began in November.
UN proposes renewing Syria investigation: On 21 September 2012, Six Arab nations presented a draft resolution to the UN in Geneva that would extend the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria. The commission, which has been investigating possible human rights violations in the current Syrian conflict, has accused both the Syrian government and the rebel forces of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The resolution asks for more funding and staffing for the commission in light of the deteriorating situation in Syria. The member countries of the UN will vote on the resolution this week. It is a controversial proposal, but without it, the commission’s mandate will end this Friday.
10 September 2012 – DECISION REVIEW
Posted by kleasia in Decision Review, Fair trial/Accused's rights, ICTY, Uncategorized, Witnesses on September 10, 2012
Court/Tribunal: International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
Decision Title: Decision on Accused’s Motion for New Trial for Disclosure Violations
Chamber: The Trial Chamber
Case Name: Prosecutor v. Radovan Karadzic
Date: 3 September 2012
_________
Decision Background: On 13 August 2012, the defense team for Radovan Karadzic filed a motion requesting that the Trial Chamber grant a new trial, on the grounds that the Prosecution failed to disclose material evidence to the defense, pursuant to Rule 66(A)(ii) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence. The defense claimed in its motion that the Prosecution failed to disclose 406 witness statements or transcripts of testimony, which the Prosecution had had in its possession prior to the May 2009 deadline for disclosure. The defense also cited the Trial Chamber’s previous finding that the Prosecution, on 58 occasions during the trial, failed to fulfill its evidentiary disclosure obligations. The defense claimed that the cumulative impact of these violations, plus the violation now alleged, deprived him of his right to a fair trial, and that the only remedy would be the ordering of a new trial.
On 27 August, 2012, the Prosecution filed a response to the defense’s motion. The Prosecution argued that the defense failed to show that a new trial was the appropriate remedy or sanction for the type of violations alleged by the defense. In particular, the Prosecution argued that the defense failed to show a valid legal basis or standard for this remedy, noting that on 58 occasions, the Trial Chamber already found that defense suffered no prejudice due to the Prosecution’s disclosure violations. The Prosecution also referred to Chamber decisions wherein disclosure violations were not seen as a bar to an accused’s ability to mount an effective defense.
Decision Review: The Chamber reviewed the Rule of Evidence 66(A)(ii), which requires the Prosecution to disclose to the defense all statements of witnesses it intends to call, plus written statements and transcripts taken pursuant to Rules 92 bis, 92 ter, and 92 quater. All disclosures are to be made in compliance with a time-frame prescribed by the presiding judge or Trial Chamber. Rule 68 sets out the Prosecution’s continuing obligation to disclose any evidence that questions or mitigates a defendant’s guilt.
While the Chamber admonished the Prosecution for the number of disclosure violations during trial, the Chamber found that the defense had not been prejudiced by the Prosecution’s failures. The Chamber noted that it had been mindful throughout the trial of the adverse effects that these violations could have on the defense, and as such had been taking steps throughout the process to mitigate any potential impact these violations could have on the defendant’s right to a fair trial. These steps included: suspension of the trial so that the defense could review evidence not given to it in a timely manner; requiring that the Prosecution not present any witnesses involved in untimely disclosure before a certain date set by the Chamber that took into account the defense’s need for sufficient time to prepare; requiring that the Prosecution provide the Chamber with detailed reports of its disclosure practices; as well as the Chamber’s general oversight of the Prosecution throughout the trial.
The Chamber held that its continued measures throughout the trial to mitigate any prejudice that the Prosecution’s disclosure practices may have caused the defendant were sufficient to preserve the defendant’s rights at trial. In its final decision, the Chamber also noted that the defense had had similar if not identical information in its possession, that the information withheld was of limited length and value, and that the defense had had an opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses about the subject matter of the material in question. The Chamber thus held that the defense could not show that it ultimately suffered prejudice and was therefore entitled to a new trial, particularly considering the burden of time and resources a new trial would place on all involved.
To access the full Decision, click here.
14 June 2012 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by Maureen Q. McGough in Uncategorized on June 14, 2012
Amnesty International accuses Syrian troops of crimes against humanity: In a 70-page report released Thursday based on information provided by undercover Amnesty workers, the rights group stated that Assad’s forces are using organized attacks to kill civilians to an extent that constitutes crimes against humanity. Amnesty has again called on the United Nations to impose an arms embargo on Syria as a result of these brutalities. These findings add to a growing body of accounts of Syrian officials massacring civilians during the uprising against President Assad, which has lasted for over 15 months and was recently declared a civil war.
Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen calls for ICC delegation’s release: Rasmussen urged Libyan officials to release the four ICC staff currently detained in Libya after meeting with Saif al-Islam, Muammar Gaddafi’s son. The group was visiting Libya to help Saif, who the ICC wants to try for crimes against humanity, choose a defense lawyer. Libyan officials are alleging that one of the staff was carrying a pen camera and attempted to give Saif a letter written in code from one of his chief aids, who is currently on the run. Rasmussen noted that Libyan authorities have “co-operated in a positive manner” with the ICC thus far for the staffers’ release.
Ocampo calls for 30-year sentence for Congo’s Thomas Lubanga Dyilo : On Wednesday, chief ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo called for a 30-year sentence for Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga Dyilo – the maximum sentence possible. Lubanga, in the ICC’s first ever ruling, was found guilty of abducting children under the age of 15 and forcing them to fight in a five-year war that killed over 60,000 people in the east of the country. Ocampo said he would recommend a reduced sentence of 20 years if Lubanga showed genuine remorse by helping to prevent future crimes. It is not known when the court will issue a sentence.
Bensouda set to take over as chief ICC prosecutor with a strong message to Africa: In a roundtable with journalists earlier this week, Gambia’s Fatou Bensouda was frank in her determination not to cave in to pressure regarding the prosecution of African suspects. Bensouda, who will assume responsibilities as the chief ICC prosecutor on Friday, said that she will not hesitate to open investigations in any geographic location if the criteria of the Rome Statute are met. The ICC has come under criticism during current chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s term for disproportionately pursuing cases against African heads of state. During his term, the ICC either opened investigations against or prosecuted 25 suspects, all of whom were from Africa. “One thing must be clear,” Bensouda said. “The prosecutor’s office has never been driven by geographical considerations.”
24 May 2012 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by Maureen Q. McGough in Uncategorized on May 25, 2012
ICC clears the way for Ocampo 4 trial: On Thursday, the ICC rejected appeals challenging the Court’s jurisdiction to try the Ocampo 4. In a ruling Thursday, the Appeals Chamber rejected the appeal in which the Ocampo 4 contested the interpretation of the term “organizational policy” as a component of crimes against humanity. The judges ruled that the question was one to be determined on the merits, rather than a question of jurisdiction. The case will now proceed, with the trial process set to begin on June 11 and 12 when parties will appear at The Hague for a status conference. The accused are charged with crimes against humanity as a result of their alleged involvement in the 2007/2008 violence surrounding the Kenyan elections.
Mladic trial will resume June 25: On Thursday, the U.N. Yugoslav tribunal said the trial of former Bosnian Serb Gen. Mladic will resume on 25th, a month later than initially planned. The trial was put on hold earlier this month after the Court learned that prosecutors had failed to disclose all case documents. Mladic faces charges including genocide for his alleged role in the massacre of at least 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, Bosnia in 1995.
Sri Lanka sets up courts to try war suspects: Sri Lanka is setting up courts to accelerate cases against hundreds of Tamil rebel suspects for their alleged role in the island’s ethnic war three years ago. Sri Lanka will open three courts near the former war zone in the northeast region of the country to hear charges against more than 650 detainees. The suspects are accused of several crimes including being members of the outlawed rebel movement that fought against the government known as the Tamil Tigers. According to the UN, tens of thousands of civilians were killed in the final months of fighting.
ICC denies allegations of bias: Prosecutor-elect Fatou Bensouda has dispelled “perceptions” that the ICC is disproportionately focused on punishing Africans. “A lot of it is only perception,” said Bensouda at an Open Society conference held in Cape Town earlier this week. “The perception is a dangerous thing; it’s giving the impression that the only place ICC is working is in Africa.” Bensouda, who has been Deputy Prosecutor for the ICC since 2004, will soon take over from Luis Moreno-Ocampo, who has been heavily criticized by African leaders for targeting Africans.
22 November 2011 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by iclmediareview in ECCC, ICC, Kenya, Libya, Sudan, Uncategorized on November 22, 2011
ICC requests Government’s help in collecting assets: The ICC has formally written to the Government to request that the Government stop the Suspects from transferring any assets to third parties until the confirmation of charges judgment is delivered. The request was sent to George Saitoti, passed to former AG Amos Wako and then to current AG Githu Muigai. When asked about the request Muigai told the press that he could not comment on the various requests the government receives. The letter from the ICC is said to list the assets the Suspects own in Kenya and asks the Government to confirm that the Suspects own these assets.
ICC may request warrant for Sudanese Defence Minister: A Dubai based TV station has reported that the ICC prosecutor will request a warrant against defence minister Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein. The ICC has been collecting evidence against Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein for a while and will now present the evidence to the PTC. No specifics of the charges have been disclosed but Hussein was the minister of the interior and representive of the president for Darfur during the conflict in 2003-2004. (For additional information on this topic, please click here).
Libya promises to try Saif Gaddafi and al-Senussi: Libyan officials insist that the Libyan judicial system is capable of providing a fair trial to both Saif Gaddafi and intelligence chief, al-Senussi who were both captured in Southern Libya this week. This announcement came as the ICC prosecutor flew to Libya shortly after their capture to reinforce Libya’s international duties and highlight the outstanding arrest warrants for both before the ICC.
France wants to try al-Senussi for plane bombing: France says that a trial in the presence of al-Senussi is needed, after a Paris court convicted six Libyan individuals for responsibility for the 1989 airline bombing over Niger. The individuals were tried in abstenia and were sentenced to life imprisonment; including al-Senussi.
Case 002 at the ECCC has begun with opening statements: The trial against three former Khmer Rouge leaders started with opening statements from the Prosecution. The three accused were top leaders under Pol Pot and face charges of crimes against humanity, genocide, religious persecution, homicide and torture. A fourth accused, Len Thirith, was recently deem unfit to stand trial due to health issues. (For additional information on this topic, please click here).
5 May 2011 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS
Posted by iclmediareview in Uncategorized on May 14, 2011
UN will begin investigations in Ivory Coast: An investigation led by the United Nations is expected to start this week when the three investigators commissioned by the UN Human Rights Commission arrive in Abidjan on Wednesday, 4 May. The three investigators are following a technical team which arrived on 24 April and the three are expected to stay in the Ivory Coast for three weeks in order to complete a draft of a report.
UK war crimes law disrupts meetings between the UK and Israel: The UK law which allows a judges to issue an arrest warrant against anyone the judges believes to have been involved in crimes against humanity has caused a senior military attaché from Israel to sit out of meetings in London between the UK and Israel due to fear of arrest. Though the law has been amended to require the judge to get approval of a warrant from the director of public prosecutions, this amendment has not yet come into effect. Yohanan Locker’s involvement in the 2008 and 2009 offensive in the Gaza strip caused fear that this involvement could cause a judge to issue a warrant against him during the trip to London.
Kyrgyzstan Foreign Ministry responds to report on international crimes: On 5 May, the Foreign Ministry of Kyrgyzstan responded to an internationally commissioned report issued on 3 May which suggested crimes against humanity were committed by members of the Government during the ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan in June 2010. The Ministry stated that it is wrong for the report to assign one side as being guilty or victimized. Instead, the official statement said that the ethnic clashes were very complicated and stated that the report did not provide enough evidence that the events in the city of Osh could be considered crimes against humanity.
Lawyers accuse ICTY ruling on motion of being premature verdict: The lawyers for ICTY accused Vojislav Seselj have suggested that the ICTY decision to Seselj’s motion of acquittal amounts to a guilty verdict before Seselj has had a chance to present his defense. The lawyers were referring to the language of the decision which rejected Seselj’s acquittal motion by stating that the prosecution had adequately proven that there was a link between hate speeches to incite crimes committed during the Balkans war.
Croatia calls for Mladic trial in Bosnia: The President of Croatia, Ivo Josipovic stated on 4 May that if ICTY fugitive, Ratko Mladic, is captured, he should be tried in Bosnia Herzegovina, not before the ICTY in the Hague. Josipovic reasoned that Mladic should be tried where he committed the most crimes and harm, stating that this would send the strongest moral message.
CAR judge tells ICC why charges were dismissed against Bemba: Testifying for the second day on 4 May, Senior Judges of the Regional Court in Bangui, Pamphile Oradimo, told the Court that following investigations of Bemba in September 2004, any possible charges against him were dismissed in order to avoid any diplomatic problems with the DRC.
Ndahimana changes decision to testify before ICTR: ICTR accused, Grégoire Ndahimana, announced on 4 May that he changed his previous decision to testify for his defense and has now decided against testifying. Due to his decision, only two witnesses remain in the defense case against the accused.
UN Sec-Gen supports ICC actions in Libya: The United Nation’s Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has stated that he supports the action of the ICC in relation to events in Libya. Ban Ki-moon offered his support for the move to arrest three individuals involved in the accused crimes committed by the Gaddafi regime.
Former SCSL Prosecutor declares crimes in Libya: Former Prosecutor to the SCSL and current Syracuse law professor, David Crane, has stated that the ICC investigations show signs of war crimes committed by Gaddafi forces in Libya. Crane referred to the political complications of indicting and removing a sitting “head of state and their henchmen” by saying that it is an issue of “peace versus justice” now but there would not be amnesty permanently.
