Three of the 103 victims participating in the Thomas Lubanga trial will this week give evidence in what is the first opportunity for victims to testify in this capacity at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The victims have to date played a unique role in the trial. Their legal representatives always attend court hearings and…
As the much-anticipated start of the Lubanga defence case draws nearer, his team has expressed concern that some of their witnesses might not be available to testify when required, as difficulties in obtaining passports could stop them from travelling to The Hague on time. “Our concern is that we have drawn a list of witnesses…
Media buzz around the Lubanga trial spiked again today as the UN expert on Children in Armed Conflict, took to the stand as an expert witness to testify about the plight of girl soldiers in particular when judges contemplate the definition of the crimes of conscripting, enlisting and using child soldier to participate actively in…
Radhika Coomaraswamy, the UN secretary general’s special representative for children and armed conflict, on Thursday asked judges in the Thomas Lubanga trial to deliver justice to girls who were involved in armed conflict. Appearing as an expert witness on the day the trial resumed following a six month lull, Coomaraswamy’s testimony dwelt on the interpretations…
In the coming months, we will now get to hear Thomas Lubanga’s side of the story. Between January and July last year, we heard horror stories from prosecution witnesses, often former child soldiers, who told of life as a child soldier in the UPC militia camps – the rapes by camp commanders; children abducted on their…
Expansive and inclusive definitions of child soldiering crimes – and why girl soldiers deserve special attention – will likely be the focus of today’s testimony as the trial of Congolese militia leader, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, starts up again at the International Criminal Court today after a six month long hiatus. Mr. Lubanga has pleaded not…
The United Nations special envoy on children and armed conflict will appear at the Lubanga trial on Thursday to testify on the definition of the charges which the former Congolese militia leader faces. The ICC said on Wednesday that Radhika Coomaraswamy, special representative of the UN secretary-general on children and armed conflict, would appear before…
Before the defense case for Thomas Lubanga starts in full swing, it is worth reminding ourselves of his team’s opening statement to the court – made almost a year ago now. It may give us a sense of of the direction Mr. Lubanga’s team could take in making a case for his innocence, although the team provided…
In an historic moment — the first day of the first trial at the International Criminal Court – the chief Prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, introduced his first case. He described the ground-breaking nature of his case, the importance of the charges against Thomas Lubanga – the war crimes of conscription, enlistment and use of child soldiers — and…
We cannot forget the opening statements by the legal representatives of the victims on the first day of trial. Here, the legal representatives speak on behalf of the victims of the crimes in the DRC with which Thomas Lubanga is being charged with criminal responsibility. Each speaks with some passion about the experiences and suffering their clients - many…
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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