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The Global Citizen: Uganda
Today, the International Crimes Division court in Gulu, Uganda began its first ever war crimes trial for the Lord's Resistance Army commander, Thomas Kwoyela. The LRA commander is being charged with 53 counts of willful killing, hostage taking, destruction of property, and causing injury. He is also accused of leading village raids, such as an attack on a Congolese village in 1996.
By: Ariela Blatter
It's a historic moment here in Kampala, Uganda. Japan, after making the following statement against the adoption of the crime of aggression, stands aside to allow all other 84 states to move forward with. Therefore, the Court now has a definition of aggression, and a clear explanation of how to prosecute these crimes- but those eagerly awaiting the prospect of ending impunity for engaging in illegal war will have to wait seven more years and see if this was the right decision.
As diplomats meet in Uganda to consider adding the crime of aggression to the jurisdiction of the ICC, it is time to remember historic American principles.
David Kaye warns in his June 1 Op-Ed article that bringing the crime of aggression within its ambit may erode support for the International Criminal Court. It is true that the ICC has done an admirable job in the years since its founding in holding trials for those accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Without the ICC, these individuals, accused of the most heinous mass crimes, might not ever face justice and punishment.
A step in the right direction!
On April 28, 2010, the members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs voted by voice vote on S. 1067 the Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009. A voice vote is a voting method used by the U.S. House of Representatives in which a vote is taken on legislation by responding verbally. The decision is made by the chair, although it can be challenged.
The bill is summarized here by the Congressional Research Service:
Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese President who is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, has cancelled his planned trip to Uganda. Previously, Bashir had intended to attend a Smart Partnership Conference in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. However, Uganda, having ratified the ICC treaty, is legally obligated to arrest Bashir should he enter the nation. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has now reached an agreement with Bashir, calling off the visit by the Sudanese President for fear of causing a harsh diplomatic incident.
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