ICC Deputy Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has been present in court almost every day of the prosecution’s case against Thomas Lubanga, which concluded on July 14. She recently spoke to the Lubanga Trial website about the controversy over sexual violence charges, the challenges of witness protection, and why victims’ participation is important. Rachel Irwin: The issue…
The prosecution’s case in the trial of accused Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga drew to a close this week with little of the fanfare that had marked its highly anticipated opening five months ago, on January 26. The final day of proceedings, on July 14, was conducted mostly in closed session as a protected witness…
Prosecutors in the trial of Thomas Lubanga rested their case on Tuesday, after more than five months and 30 witnesses. The final day of proceedings before a long recess was conducted mostly in closed session, as defense lawyers cross-examined the prosecution’s last witness, who spoke in French with digital voice and face distortion. The witness…
Thomas Lubanga captured and forcibly conscripted a young boy, a child protection specialist told defense lawyers on Monday. Witness Christine Peduto, who worked for the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), said that she had interviewed the boy in question. He told her that in February 2003, Lubanga and six…
A child protection specialist this week told the International Criminal Court that ICC fugitive Bosco Ntaganda executed a young recruit who tried to escape. Christine Peduto, who worked for the United Nations Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), was testifying at the trial of Thomas Lubanga who is charged with recruiting children in…
A child protection specialist told victims’ lawyers today that she personally met with Thomas Lubanga to discuss the issue of forced enlistment. Witness Christine Peduto, who worked for the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), said she met with Lubanga on May 30, 2003 at his home in the town of…
The United Nations was not able to independently verify the ages of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a child protection specialist told prosecutors today. ”I imagine you are aware of the fact that identity cards and documents are not very common in the Congo,” said witness Christine Peduto, who worked for…
A child protection specialist told prosecutors today that she referred many children to reintegration centers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including an 11-year-old. Christine Peduto, who worked for the United Nations Mission to the Congo (MONUC), said the boy was recruited when he was just 10, and was the bodyguard of the…
The International Criminal Court, ICC, trial of Thomas Lubanga heard this week that young female recruits found it hard to reintegrate into society after leaving the Union of Congolese Patriots, UPC. Most of the girls had been raped by commanders in Lubanga’s militia, often becoming pregnant. “Girls are the most vulnerable persons amongst child soldiers,”…
Child soldiers suffered severe mental and physical problems after leaving the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC), a protected witness told prosecutors today. One child, he said, was beaten so badly during military training that “one of his testicles had been damaged.” “[The child] needed medical intervention to remove the wound,” explained the witness, who was…
Thomas Lubanga on trial at the International Criminal Court. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo is the first person to be tried by the International Criminal Court. A former rebel leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lubanga is accused of conscripting, enlisting, and using child soldiers. More
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