Category: International justice
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ASF welcomes the conviction of warlord Kizima Lenine
ASF welcomes the decision to condemn Kizima Lenine Sabin, war lord in the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity. This decision demonstrates a real will on the part of the Congolese justice system to combat the impunity of war crimes and severe violations of human rights…
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Transitional justice in Burundi: space for victims
ASF welcomes the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as an important step in the process of punishing international crimes committed in Burundi in the past. ASF nevertheless calls for certain conditions crucial to the proper functioning of the transitional justice process to be respected.
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DR Congo: conviction of Colonel “106” and risk of reprisals
ASF welcomes the decision by the South Kivu Military Court to convict Bedi Mobuli Engangela, known as “Colonel 106”, to life in prison for crimes against humanity. The former warlord is one of those responsible for the violence committed in South Kivu between 2005-2007 which affected over 1,000 civilian victims. However, ASF remains worried about…
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International justice is everybody’s business
On Human Rights Day, ASF recalls that international criminal justice is a collective issue. International crimes affect firstly the victims of human rights violations, but also their community, lawyers, prosecutors, judges, perpetrators and society. Under the slogan “Together for international justice”, ASF’s Crossroads campaign highlights the fact that countries emerging from a crisis or conflict…
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Liberia: 20 years on, justice takes its course
Indicted for crimes against humanity and war crimes, Martina Johnson was arrested by the Belgian police a few weeks ago. The former commander of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia, the rebel group, is the subject of a complaint filed in Belgium on behalf of three Liberian victims, under legislation on extraterritorial jurisdiction. Luc Walleyn,…
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International crimes, national courts
Brussels – Victims of human rights violations need to see justice being done to increase their confidence and participation in the justice processes. Today, International Justice Day is being celebrated throughout the world to encourage an emerging system of international criminal justice. Since 1996, ASF provides active support to the prosecution of international crimes before…
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Who is responsible for the crimes committed in Bogoro?
ASF welcomes the decision made by the ICC on 7 March to find Germain Katanga guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity. Katanga is the first defendant standing trial at the ICC to be found guilty in relation to such crimes. ASF regrets, however, that the trial was not able to establish the whole truth…
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Victims of the “Terminator” await crucial stage in proceedings
As the International Criminal Court begins its evaluation of the charges against Congolese warlord Bosco Ntaganda today, ASF reiterates that the safety of the 922 victims taking part in the procedure is paramount.
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ASF represents victims at The Hague
On 22 November, as part of the Assembly of States Parties, Avocats Sans Frontières led a side event to promote victim participation in International Criminal Court proceedings. This was a first, as never before has such an event been entirely dedicated to hearing the voices of victims.
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Why is justice without borders?
Who better to respond to this question than ASF’s Heads of Mission and Regional Representatives, based in different countries worldwide. They have gathered for ten days of intensive briefing at ASF’s headquarters in Brussels and they share their views about the core of the organisation’s mandate: the defense of human rights.