The ICC chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has proposed a special tribunal for the Democratic Republic of Congo to effectively address decades of violence and atrocities. He expressed concerns over ongoing conflicts, particularly with the M23 group gaining ground. Khan emphasized the necessity of a holistic and organized judicial approach to achieve long-lasting justice in the region. The formation of the tribunal is set for discussion in April.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has called for a special tribunal to address decades of atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), especially in its conflict-ridden eastern regions. During a recent visit to Kinshasa, Khan expressed deep concern over the escalation of violence, particularly as the M23 group, allegedly supported by Rwanda, seizes territory in North and South Kivu provinces.
Khan pointed out the failures of international judicial mechanisms to effectively curb the ongoing violence and emphasized the need for a more robust and coordinated approach. He endorsed the DRC government’s proposal for a special tribunal that will focus on issues such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. This tribunal is set to be discussed in April.
Highlighting the complexity of the situation, Khan noted, “There’s not only one armed group. There’s many. It’s not only one part of the country. There’s several different conflicts going on”. He advocated for a holistic strategy that goes beyond individual accountability to establish a credible and sustainable judicial framework throughout the country.
The format and structure of the proposed tribunal will be determined in April, aiming for it to be DRC-owned and possibly hybrid, encompassing both local and international judges. Khan emphasized the urgent necessity for justice in the region, as he stated, “We are going to do our best to make sure that justice is not something we say before the television cameras.”
Khan’s remarks are made against a backdrop of increasing skepticism towards international institutions, particularly following recent U.S. sanctions against him. He acknowledged the challenges facing the ICC and declared, “We are in the middle of a storm in which different international institutions are under siege.” Khan reaffirmed his commitment to uphold the principles of justice as outlined post-World War II and stressed the imperative for international courts to restore public faith in their legitimacy.
In summary, the ICC prosecutor Karim Khan has identified the necessity of a special tribunal to address ongoing atrocities in the DRC. His remarks highlight the failures of existing international judicial systems to prevent violence in the region. The proposed tribunal aims to provide a more comprehensive approach to justice, addressing the complex nature of conflicts in the DRC and striving for accountability on a larger scale. The discussion on the tribunal is anticipated to take place in an upcoming international conference in April.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
