13.07.12 - WEEKLY SUMMARY - LUBANGA JAILED 14 YEARS, EXTRADITION OF RWANDAN TO KIGALI OVERTURNED

Arusha, July 13, 2012 (FH) –The International Criminal Court (ICC), this week sentenced Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga to 14 years in jail for war crimes, while France's highest court of appeal overturned a lower decision to extradite Claude Muhayimana to Rwanda to face genocide charges.

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ICC

Lubanga gets 14 years jail term: Judges of the court Tuesday sentenced Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga to 14 years in jail for war crimes. While the Coalition for the International Criminal Court described the sentence as milestone in the fight against impunity, the prosecution said it has sent a clear message to perpetrators of crimes that they will not go unpunished.

Counsel for Darfur rebels seek UN intervention: In a hearing on Wednesday, counsel for Abdallah Banda and Mohammed Jerbo requested the UN Security Council to take action against the Sudanese government for allegedly preventing fair trial to take place. Karim Khan explained that the defence cannot investigate properly because of Sudan's refusal to cooperate with the Court. The accused are charged with crimes against humanity for a 2007 attack on Haskanita military base, where 12 international peacekeepers died.

Trials for Kenyan Four to start April 2013: A Trial Chamber Monday set April 10 and 11, 2013, as the commencement dates for trials involving Kenyans Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Rut, ex-head of public service Francis Muthaura and radio presenter Joshua arap Sang. They are accused of crimes against humanity following violence after the 2007 presidential elections.

FRANCE

France court refuses to extradite a Rwandan: The Court of Cassation, France's highest court of appeal, has overturned on procedural grounds a March 29 decision of the Rouen Appeals Court that Claude Muhayimana should be extradited to Rwanda to face genocide charges. Rwanda wants Muhayimana for crimes allegedly committed in Kibuye region in 1994.

FK/GF