Publications

Focus on Africa

DRC: 30 years in prison demanded for Thomas Lubanga, the first person to be found guilty by the ICC for war crimes

On Wednesday, the International Criminal Court prosecutor asked for 30 years in prison for Thomas Lubanga, former commander of the Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (FPLC) for war crimes. The trial of the former militia leader was the first for the ICC. It started in January 2009 and was completed in August 26, 2011. Thomas Lubanga pleaded not guilty.

Focus on Africa

Sudan: ICC prosecutor seeks UN help to arrest Omar al-Bashir

The ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, has requested the UN to assist in the arrest of the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. He suggested that the Security Council makes the arrest warrants more stringent, even for States which have not signed the Rome Treaty. However, his demands are unlikely to be answered.

Focus on Africa

Kenyan suspects’ bid for oral submission fails before the ICC

The International Criminal Court Appeals Chamber has rejected a bid put forward by Kenya’s Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and former head of Public Service Commission Service Francis Muthaura for an oral hearing.

KAS African Law Study Library / KAS Librairie Africaine D’Etudes Juridiques, Volume 10

This is the 10th volume in the series and it comprises of four articles from the Faculty of Law of the University of Abomey Calavi Benin. It addresses inter alia, OHADA Laws, independence of the judiciary and judicial reform, domestication and implementation of conventions on the right of the child and the right to defense before the court of assize in Benin.

Focus on Africa

Charles Taylor convicted "guilty" of crimes against humanity in Sierra Leone

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor was found guilty on 11 counts of, crimes against humanity, murder, rape, slavery sexual recruitment of child soldiers, looting, maiming, etc. This refers to the Sierra Leone civil war between 1991 and 2001.

Focus on Africa

Kenya working to have high-ranking ICC accused tried at home

The four prominent Kenyans facing crimes against humanity charges at the ICC still stand a chance of being tried at home. Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki said the government was looking into ways of making this happen. The President called upon Kenyans to remain calm as the government looked into ways and means of establishing a local mechanism to try Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, former head of the Public Service Francis Muthaura, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and radio presenter Joshua arap Sang for crimes committed during the post election violence 2007/2008.

Focus on Africa

Rwanda: Defence move to block transfer from ICTR court in Arusha, Tanzania fails

Mr. Claver Sindayigaya filed a motion on Tuesday to prevent his client Jean Bosco Uwinkindi, a detainee at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) accused of planning and coordinating the 1994 genocide from being transferred to Rwanda.

Focus on Africa

War crimes court to issue first verdict on March 14

The International Criminal Court will make its first decision since commencement of work in 2003. The world's first permanent penal tribunal is competent for criminal offences of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. In its eagerly anticipated verdict, it will pass judgment on the alleged war criminal Thomas Lubanga.

Focus on Africa

DRC: Grave human rights violations during the 2011 elections

The defense forces security units are directly implicated in the violence during the election period, between November 26 and December 25 2011. The United Nations released on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, a detailed report on serious human rights violations such as killings and arbitrary dispersions perpetrated in Kinshasa.According to investigators, at least 33 people were killed by security forces in Kinshasa, 16 others remain missing and nearly 83 were injured.

KAS African Law Study Library / KAS Librairie Africaine D’Etudes Juridiques, Volume 9

This is the 9th volume in the series and it comprises of four articles from the Faculty of Law of the Catholic University of Bukavu, DRC. It addresses inter alia, problems of sexual violence in the war-torn Eastern region of the DRC, issues of decentralization in the province of South Kivu, taxation and levies under the new Forest Code and the management of basic education in DRC.