ICC
Judges set reparation procedure for victims in Lubanga case: On Tuesday judges ordered the Trust Fund for Victims to gather proposals from victims of the ICC's first convict, Thomas Lubanga, that would help the Court to determine reparations. They said the Trust Fund should set up a group of experts to go to Ituri, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and identify the communities affected by Lubanga's crimes between September 1, 2002 and August 13, 2003. Lubanga was found guilty of war crimes for recruiting children in his troops and using them to fight in Ituri. He was sentenced to 14 years in jail.
Court suspends Libya’s filings for Gaddafi’s son case: A pre-trial Chamber Thursday suspended the time limit of 13 August 2012 set for Libya's reply to responses by Prosecutor, the Office of Public Counsel for Defence and that of Victims on its application challenging admissibility of case of Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi. Judges could not, however, give a new deadline for the filing until Libya gives updates on status of domestic proceedings against Muammar Gaddafi’s son and appointment of the Libyan Ministry of Justice Team.
MICT
US commits to help tracking fugitives: The United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues Stephen Rapp Monday said they remain committed to help track nine genocide suspects wanted by the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT). He said the US would maintain its “Rewards for Justice” programme, and was considering extending the programme to persons wanted by the ICC.
Prosecution seeks dismissal of fugitive’s appeal: On Tuesday, the prosecution asked judges to dismiss the appeal by fugitive Pheneas Munyarugarama, challenging transfer of his case to Rwanda for trial. In the appeal, the defence for the former Commander of a military Camp in central Rwanda wants the referral decision given on June 28, 2012 reversed, alleging that Rwandan judges could not be impartial in handling genocide trials. But the prosecution submits that the Referral Chamber was satisfied that Rwandan judges are capable, experienced and impartial.
RWANDA
Mugesera trial starts September 17: The High Court in Kigali Thursday announced that the trial of Rwandan Scholar Leon Mugesera would start on September 17. Mugesera, who was extradited from Canada in January this year, is accused of inciting genocide in a Kinyarwanda speech delivered in 1992.
NEXT WEEK
Resumption of Bemba case: Hearing of Jean-Pierre Bemba’s case resumes on Tuesday (August 14). The defence is expected to start calling its witnesses. The leader of Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) is charged for his command responsibility in crimes committed by his troops in Central African Republic in 2002 and 2003.
FK/NI