ICC criticizes Chad for not arresting Sudan’s Bashir: On 20 February 2013, Tiina Intelmann, a spokesperson for the ICC, criticized Chad for not arresting Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir on a visit last weekend. The ICC indicted Bashir in 2009-10 for his connection with crimes against humanity and potentially genocide in Darfur. State parties to the ICC are supposed to help the ICC exercise arrest warrants—Intelmann said that without cooperation it is difficult for the ICC “to carry out its mandate.” Chad is a state party to the ICC, but has welcomed Bashir three times. On 21 February 2013, Kenya’s ambassador in Sudan stated that Bashir is welcome in Kenya at any time. While Kenya’s stance is in conflict with the ICC, it is inline with a resolution by the African Union that members were not supposed to cooperate with the ICC on Bashir’s arrest. Kenya is currently appealing a decision handed down by the International Commission of Jurists stating that it has an obligation to arrest Bashir.(For additional information on this topic, please click here).
Serbian tribunal sentences seven ex-paramilitary for war crimes: On 22 February 2013, a Serbian war crimes tribunal based in Belgrage sentenced seven ex-Bosnian Serb paramilitaries for war time crimes against Roma civilians. The crimes were committed in 1992 during the Bosnian War. The paramilitaries were convicted of raping, torturing, and murdering 28 Romas. The sentences ranged from two to twenty years.
ICTR raises concerns with genocide trials in France: On 19 February 2013, the Registrar of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Christopher Bongani Majola, addressed concerns with France’s delay in two genocide cases. The cases of Wenceslas Munyeshyaka and Laurent Bucyibaruta were referred to France in 2007 under the ICTR’s residual mechanisms. Munyeshyaka is accused of genocide and crimes against humanity, but his case has not gone to trial since its investigation was started in 1995. Bucyibaruta was indicted in 2000, but was then freed, and has not been brought to trial. In 2004, the European Court of Human Justice condemned the French courts for their slowness. Majola noted that the French government reassured him that a case was nearly ready for trial. Majola further stated that ICTR is investigating reports that genocide convicts in Mali are living lavishly and even running their own businesses.
Libya Attorney General denies Gaddafi made a court appearance: On 21 February 2013, the spokesperson for the Libyan Attorney General, Taha Bara, denied that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi made an appearance before a national court on February 20. Gaddafi is being held in Zintan, a small Libyan town, while an admissibility claim is being decided which would give jurisdiction to Libya to try Gaddafi—instead of the ICC. In January 2013, Gaddafi had been brought before a local court in Zintan on charges relating to four ICC staff—who were subsequently arrested—visiting him in June 2012. The local court charged Gaddafi with conspiracy to undermine national security, attempting to escape from prison, and insulting the new Libyan flag. Bara stated that there is no confirmed date when Gaddafi will be brought to trial. (For additional information on this topic, please click here).
EU calls on Cambodia to pay more for Khmer Rouge court: On 22 February 2013, the European Union called on Cambodia to provide more funds for the Khmer Rouge war crimes tribunal. The EU stated that it will hold back funds until Cambodia satisfies its contractual obligations. Cambodia states that it has exceeded its monetary commitment to the court. Resignation of judges due to political interference and threats of staff strikes due to unpaid wages have lead to slowed proceedings. The court, established in 2005, has convicted one person in relation to the crimes committed in 1975-1979 by an ultra-Maoist regime responsible for up to 2.2 million deaths.
