Rwandan Commission calls for controversial ICTY judge resignation: Rwanda’s National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) demanded the resignation of ICTY Presiding Judge Theodor Meron at a briefing Tuesday, 18 June. Judge Meron presides over the shared ICTY/ICTR Appeals Chamber and was accused last week of pressuring other judges into acquitting senior officials of genocide. CNLG’s executive secretary, Jean de Dieu Mucyo, fears speculation of improper influence at the tribunals would lead to “disastrous consequences for the current and future cases of international war crimes.” Mucyo has called for Judge Meron’s replacement and urged the tribunals to retry the cases the judge watched over.
ICTY to appeal acquittals possibly influenced by Judge Meron: On 24 June, ICTY Prosecutor Serge Brammertz issued a statement revealing his intent to initiate an appeal against the acquittal of Serbian officials Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic within the next year. The prosecutor argued the judgment contained “serious errors” that produced “an unjust outcome.” Furthermore, Brammertz’s announcement discussed the recently leaked letter alleging ICTY Judge Meron encouraged tribunal judges to acquit accused. Brammertz acknowledged the seriousness of the letter as a threat to the credibility of the tribunal. However, the prosecutor stressed the importance of his office avoiding the controversy and continuing to conduct their work legitimately and independently.
Bemba witness describes brutalizing civilians as a soldier in the CAR army: Defense Witness D04-03 concluded his testimony this week in the ICC’s case against Congolese leader Jean-Pierre Bemba. The witness, a former CAR soldier, testified to raping the wives of suspected rebels as punishment for supporting François Bozizé, the man who succeeded the Central African president in March 2003. Witness D04-03 claimed any crimes against civilians were the result of inadequate training and in response to acts committed by Central African soldiers and rebels. The defense witness alleged that Bemba’s forces were not a party. Bemba fought on the side of the former Central African president and is now on trial for failing to control his troops.
ICT-1 wraps up hearings over defense motions in SQ Chy case: The ICT-1 was expected to rule on three defense motions yesterday, 26 June, in the case of Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury. The defense moved the tribunal to (1) review the order limiting the number of witnesses allowed to five, (2) prohibit the prosecution from introducing evidence that is neither original nor a photocopy, and (3) adjourn the trial to allow the defense more time to research the effect of an ICT amendment. The prosecution contested each motion and argued the filings were an attempt by the defense to unreasonably delay the trial. SQ Chy is on trial for crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War.
ICC reschedules Kenyatta case again: The ICC case against President Uhuru Kenyatta has been pushed back to allow the defense more time to review new evidence and prepare examinations of prosecution witnesses. The court’s ruling postponing the trial for a second time has frustrated many victims of the December 2007, post-election violence in Kenya. Victims worry that the potential threat from a sitting president delaying the trial will scare witnesses from testifying and prevent justice against the accused. Victims have expressed concern lately over the ICC judicial process. Indeed, last month nearly 100 victims dropped out of the Kenyatta case and the African Union called for a national prosecution in Kenya. The case is now scheduled for 12 November 2013.
Khmer Rouge air force chief dies: ECCC Case 003 suspect, Sou Met, died on Friday, 14 June. Sou Met was a former air force chief for the Khmer Rouge and is alleged to have participated in “purges that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.” Sou Met was never formally indicted by the ECCC; the Cambodian Prime Minister publicly opposed commencing further cases, including Case 003. However, confidential prosecution documents disclosed by journalists last year named Sou Met as one of the indictees. Sou Met suffered from a long illness and spent several months in Cambodian and Thai hospitals.
