Rachel Grand - Junior Research Associate PILPG-NL
Monthly News Update: International Criminal Court (ICC) – November 2019
In the past month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) authorized the Office of the Prosecutor to investigate alleged crimes against the Rohingyas. It also issued the long-awaited sentencing decision in the Bosco Ntaganda case.
Africa
Libya | ‘Violence, Atrocities and Impunity’ reign throughout Libya, ICC Prosecutor tells UN Security Council
The ICC Prosecutor spoke to the UN Security Council about how even after nearly a decade of working in Libya, the Court still sees the country entangled in a “cycle of violence, atrocities and impunity.” This statement serves as a plea to the international community to end the Libyan conflict. [November 6, 2019]
Democratic Republic of Congo | Ntaganda handed 30-Year prison sentence
The ICC judges sentenced Bosco Ntaganda to 30 years in prison. This is the highest penalty the Court has ever given. [November 7, 2019]
Congo | ICC confirms one year jail sentence, fine for Congo’s Bemba
Appeals judges confirmed Bemba’s one-year prison sentence and 3000,000-euro fine for interfering with witnesses who testified in his crimes against humanity and war crimes trials. [November 27, 2019]
Europe
United Kingdom | International Criminal Court may investigate UK ‘war crimes cover-up’
According to news reports, the UK covered up instances of their troops killing civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan. If the ICC authorizes the Prosecutor to open an investigation into these alleged crimes, it would be its first investigation into crimes committed by nationals from the UK. [November 18, 2019]
Asia
Bangladesh/Myanmar | International Criminal Court authorizes investigation into crimes against Rohingya
Pre-Trial Chamber II ruled that the Prosecutor can proceed with an investigation into the alleged crimes against humanity perpetrated against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim minority causing them to flee to Bangladesh. [November 14, 2019]