Ex-Chad leader charged with crimes against humanity: On 2 July 2013, Ex-Chad dictator Hissene Habre was charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes, and torture in a special court in Senegal. Habre’s charges are related to his ruling of Chad from 1982-1990, during which nearly 40,000 persons were killed. Senegal’s choice to prosecute Habre, after he had lived in the capital Dakar for 22 years, has been described as a landmark for justice in Africa. (For more on this topic, please click here.)
Former Vukovar Territorial Defense member sentenced for war crimes: On 1 July 2013, former member of the Vukovar Territorial Defense Petar Ciric was found guilty of committing war crimes by the Serbian War Crimes Tribunal. Ciric’s was convicted of beating and killing Croatian prisoners in Croatia in November 1991. 193 prisoners were killed between the 20th and 21st of November. Ten other people were also charged– and 20 other people have already been convicted– with crimes relating to the incident.
UN Secretary-General calls for investigation into Mali human rights violations: On 1 July 2013, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an investigation into human rights violations in Mali. The call for inquiry comes amidst a peace agreement between the warring factions. Although Ki-moon praised the peace agreement, which began 18 June, Ban stated that all sides of the conflict are responsible for human rights violations. Ki-moon stated groups have used child soldiers, committed rape, and enforced disappearances. Presidential elections are scheduled for 28 July.
US prosecutors seek ten-year prison term for Rwandan woman accused of involvement in genocide and lying to immigration officials: On 30 June 2013, United States attorneys announced that they were seeking a 10-year prison sentence for Beatrice Munyenyezi for allegedly lying to immigration officials to gain entrance to the US. Munyenyezi is accused of having participated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide; she worked at a road block and supposedly chose which Tutsis would be killed. Munyenyezi’s attorney argue that the defendant’s case, which is a non-violent immigration charge, has improperly turned into a genocide case. Further Munyenyezi’s attorney claims that if the defendant is returned to Rwanda, she would face a severe punishment, if not death. Munyenyezi’s husband and mother-in-law were convicted of genocide and human rights violations by the ICTR in 2011.
Jamaat-e-Islami leader transferred to Bangladesh ICT-2: On 1 July 2013, the trial of Jamaat leader AKM Yousuf was transferred from the first International Criminal Tribunal for Bangladesh to the second Bangladesh ICT. the ICTs are trying cases related to the crimes against humanity committed during 1971 Bangladesh war for independence. ICT-1′s docket is quite full, so ICT-2 will allow Yousuf’s case to be heard quicker. Yousuf is charged with genocide, murder, rape, arson, and looting.
Rwandan genocide survivors to establish trust fund: On 1 July 2013, the representative for Rwandan genocide survivors announced that the genocide survivors would establish a trust fund for survivors. Currently UN agencies provide genocide survivors with $250,000 of funds yearly–this is in contrast to the $30 million price tag on one ICTR trial. The fund will operate similarly to the ICC’s trust fund for victims (which has a budget of $70 million). The fund will receive voluntary donations from around the world. The fund will address general survivor issues, not individual, as well as play an international advocacy role for survivors.
