The confirmation of charges hearing against Jean-Pierre Bemba before Pre-Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) concluded today after four days of submissions from the Prosecutor, the defense and victims’ representatives. This public hearing is the first stage of the case against Mr Bemba before the ICC, which will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to commit Jean-Pierre Bemba to trial on the basis of the charges brought against him by the Prosecutor of the ICC.
Jean-Pierre Bemba, President and Commander in Chief of the Mouvement de libération du Congo (MLC) and former Vice-President of the DRC, was arrested on 24 May 2008 by the Belgian authorities following a warrant of arrest issued under seal by the Pre-Trial Chamber. Jean-Pierre Bemba is alleged to be criminally responsible for four counts of war crimes and two counts of crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the Central African Republic (CAR) from October 2002 to March 2003. He is the the first suspect to be brought before the ICC for crimes allegedly committed in the Central African Republic (CAR), since the opening of the investigation in this country by the Prosecutor in May 2007.
Statement by Sergio Stanzani and Gianfranco Dell’Alba, President and Secretary General of No Peace Without Justice:
“NPWJ welcomes the conclusion of the confirmation of charges hearing against Jean-Pierre Bemba before the Pre-Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and look forward to the decision by the Judges due to be released within the next 60 days. The first stage of the case against Mr Bemba before the ICC represents a considerable step towards redress for victims of the brutal conflict that took place in the Central African Republic in 2002-2003. It is significant that several of those victims have been represented at this hearing: as much as trials such as this can and do contribute to the rule of law and deterrence nationally, regionally and internationally, we should never forget that they represent a chance for the people of CAR to have justice done, and to see justice being done.
“For this reason, NPWJ calls on the ICC to take immediate steps to accelerate a focused, sustained and widespread outreach program in CAR, in order to facilitate two-way interaction with local populations, to promote understanding and to manage expectations. The people of CAR have to be engaged with this process if it is to provide justice: this is one of the core functions of the ICC and we fully expect that outreach will be increased to meet the increasing needs generated by these hearings, in the CAR and in the DRC which is also affected by this case.
“We look forward to the ICC Prosecutor continuing his investigations in the Central African Republic and urge him to maintain the policy focus on “those who bear the greatest responsibility” for the totality of crimes allegedly committed there. Focusing on those at the top, who planned, ordered and instigated these crimes, will provide justice for more victims than would otherwise be possible.
For further information, contact Alison Smith on asmith@npwj.org or +32-2-548-3912 or Nicola Giovannini on ngiovannini@npwj.orgorg +32-2-548-3913.
