Charles Taylor defense investigator convicted of bullying witnesses: On 12 February 2013, Prince Taylor, former defense investigator in the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor was convicted and sentenced to 30 months in jail. He was convicted on 5 counts of interfering with prosecution witnesses testifying in the trial of Charles Taylor.
Sri Lankan army issues report finding no liability: On 25 January 2013, the top army commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya presented a report to Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, finding that the Sri Lankan army took “all precautions to avoid civilian casualties” and rejecting several findings of the government’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). The report stated that Sri Lanka was entitled to take “legitimate measures to maintain or re-establish the law, the national unity and territorial integrity of the state” and characterized international scrutiny as part of a “foreign conspiracy.” The report rejected several LRRC recommendations, such as easing military occupation in the northern and eastern portions of the country and separating the police from the military. Fueling fears of increasing military control, the report put forth recommendations of its own, including a recommendation that military officers continue to “assist the civil administration” of the country, and a recommendation of a military screening process of international organizations “to ensure that undesirable elements will not jeopardise national security.” The UN estimates that over 40,000 civilians were killed during the final weeks of the 2009 conflict and the International Crisis Group similarly estimates that the civilian death toll was anywhere from 30,000 to 75,000.
President of Sudan flouts ICC arrest warrant for war crimes, announces visits to Chad and Libya: On 11 February 2013, the government-sponsored Sudanese Media Center (SMC) announced that President Bashir would attend the Community of Sahel-Saharan (CEN-SAD) summit in Chad and may visit Libya to attend the second anneversary of the 17 February revolution. Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity and genocide allegedly committed during the 10-year conflict in Darfur, which has left 300,000 dead. As a state party to the Rome Statute, Chad has an obligation to arrest Bashir, but is unlikely to do so. Chad, along with other parties to the Rome Statute, has failed to arrest Bashir since his arrest warrants were issued in 2009.
Hundreds protest ICTR acquittals of former Rwandan cabinet ministers: On 11 February 2013, protestors took to the streets in response to the decision of the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to overturn the convictions of former Trade Docket Minister Justin Mugenzi and former Public Service Minister Prosper Mugiraneza, finding that they were not responsible for the Rwandan Genocide.
