17.08.12 - WEEKLY SUMMARY - BEMBA'S DEFENCE OPENS, GROUPS SEEK PROSECUTION OF KAGAME, KABILA AND MUSEVENI

Arusha, August 17, 2012 (FH) – Jean-Pierre Bemba's trial this week resumed at the International Criminal Court (ICC) with defence starting fielding its witnesses, while some Rwandans and Congolese filed an application to the Court’s prosecutor, seeking prosecution of Presidents Paul Kagame, Joseph Kabila and Yoweri Museveni for crimes committed in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

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ICC

Groups file application for prosecution of Kagame: Some member of the Rwandan political parties in exile together with Congolese civil societies Friday filed an application to the Court’s prosecutor, seeking prosecution of Presidents Paul Kagame, Joseph Kabila and Yoweri Museveni for crimes committed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The application is based on a report by the UN in June, accusing some leaders in the Rwandan army of supporting a rebel group, M23, by supplying weapons, ammunition and recruits.

Bemba trial resumes: The trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba resumed on Tuesday with defence starting calling its witnesses. A military expert, retired French general, Jacques Seara, was the first to enter the witness box and claimed it would have been impossible to have several chains of command during the conflict. Seara told the court that operational command fell under the Central African Republic (CAR) for the duration of hostilities. He said it was impossible for the various forces active in the conflict to have had different chains of command, as this would have led to chaos and possible incidents of friendly fire.

Judges overrule challenge on court’s jurisdiction: On Wednesday judges rejected a challenge by Ivory Coast former President Laurent Gbagbo's lawyers on its jurisdiction to try him for crimes against humanity. They found that the Court has the jurisdiction over alleged crimes, including those committed since 28 November 2010 on the basis of a declaration of 18 April 2003. According to the judges, the declaration explicitly recognized the Court’s jurisdiction over an indefinite period, and that Ivory Coast had therefore recognized ICC jurisdiction from September 19, 2002.

 NEXT WEEK

 Continuation of Bemba trial: On Tuesday (August 21) the defence for Jean-Pierre Bemba is expected to continue presenting its witnesses. Bemba, 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/GF