ICC decides against conducting Ongwen’s confirmation of charges hearing in Uganda: On Wednesday, 28 October 2015 the ICC decided not to hold the confirmation of charges hearing for Dominic Ongwen in Uganda, according to an ICC statement. Initially the ICC said it was “desirable” to have the hearing in Uganda, near the location the alleged crimes were committed. After talks with Ugandan authorities, however, the ICC “noted [] the possibility, expressed by Uganda itself, that political tensions may increase during an upcoming electoral period, especially during January 2016.” Because of these concerns, the “[P]residency of the ICC decided that the confirmation of charges hearing in the case against Dominic Ongwen, scheduled for January 21, will take place in The Hague.” The charges against Ongwen all relate to attacks carried out on refugee camps between October 2003 and June 2004. (Yahoo! News)
ICC OTP decides not to open investigation into crimes in Honduras: ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said Wednesday, 28 October 2015, that she will not open a formal investigation into the allegations of crimes in 2009 and early 2010 in Honduras. Prosecutor Bensouda said that she looked into fresh allegations of crimes committed early in 2010 in the Bajo Aguan region of Honduras but again concluded “that there is no reasonable basis for my Office to proceed with an investigation.” In formally closing the preliminary examination, Prosecutor Bensouda stated that her decision should not “minimize the crimes committed in Honduras or their impact on the victims.” Prosecutors opened a preliminary examination in 2010 and reportedly concluded in 2013 that human rights violations did occur but did not amount to crimes against humanity that fall within the court’s jurisdiction. (Fox News)
ICC TC postpones start of Gbagbo trial to assess his fitness to stand trial: The ICC TC has postponed the start of the trial of Laurent Gbagbo, former Ivory Coast president until 28 January 2016 to give judges time to assess his health. The TC also scheduled a hearing starting 10 November 2016 to question three experts who have assessed Gbagbo’s health and fitness to stand trial. In a report from November of 2012, medical experts agreed that he seemed to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and hospitalization syndrome, but only two of the three said Gbagbo was not capable to stand trial. The re-schedule occurred after a request by Gbagbo’s defence to carry out a medical examination for the purpose of determining of Gbagbo was fit to stand trial. (Fox News, Yahoo! News)
AU Commission of Inquiry report details crimes during S. Sudan in 2013: According to reports an AU Commission of Inquiry found evidence of killings, torture, mutilations, and rape as well as episodes of forced cannibalism in the conflict between government and rebel forces in South Sudan since the end of 2013. The report indicates that the AU Commission didn’t believe President Salva Kiir’s account that there was an attempted coup that started the conflict. The Commission identified perpetrators of violence from both sides, and documented killings, abductions of women and sexual violence as well as other abuses, many against civilians not taking part in the conflict. Presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny denied that there were government-sanctioned human rights violations, and said that those responsible would be held to account. (BBC News, DW)
Extraordinary African Chambers suspends Habre trial until 9 November: On Thursday, 29 October 2015 Gberdao Gustave Kam, president of the Extraordinary African Chambers, suspended the trial of ex- Chadian leader Hissene Habre until 9 November 2015. He stated that the court will use the time to review the records. Kam also stated that the 9 November hearing will start with the testimony of Clement Abaifouta of the Association of Victims of Crimes of the Regime of Hissene Habre. Habre’s trial was originally scheduled to conclude 28 October 2015 but “will likely last until February” according to Marcel Mendy, a spokesperson for the tribunal. Mendy added, “We still have 20 witnesses to question in Dakar and others who are in N’Djamena.” (Yahoo! News)
Ballistics expert for Mladic testifies that killing of two not by Bosnian Serb Army: Defence witness Mile Poparic testified that the sniper bullet that wounded mother Dzenana Sokolovic and killed her son Nermin Divovic in downtown Sarajevo was not fired by the Bosnian Serb Army, as is alleged in Mladic’s indictment. Poparic said that police reports indicated that the victims were hit from the right, while medical documentation suggested they were hit from the left. Popovic also testified that Serb forces could not have staged an attack on the tram on 23 November 1994 in which two women were wounded. He also testified that 14-yearold Tarik Zunic who was wounded in the Sedrenik neighbourhood on 6 March 1995 was probably hit by a stray bullet. In cross-examination prosecutor Caroline Edgerton questioned Poparic’s credibility as an expert. (Balkan Insight)
The post 30 October 2015 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS – Ongwen confirmation in The Hague, OTP closes Honduras PE, Gbagbo trial postponed and more appeared first on ICL Media Review.