What is surprising is the recent assault on the ICC from within the African Union, despite, as outlined in a recent communiqué of its Peace and Security Council, its "unflinching commitment to combating impunity." Several of the AU's North African members - who are not, incidentally, parties to the ICC - are trying to undercut its support on the continent.
Nearly two hundred thousand local people fled their homes when armed militias began to devastate eastern Chad in late 2005. Now, as conditions improve, some are trying to return home. Many find their land has been seized. Others are forced to join one of the paramilitary groups that still roam the countryside. Some face death.
John Laughland suggests that human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, are more concerned about the conviction of former heads of state than about them getting fair trials. Nothing could be further from the truth.
During his first few weeks as UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon seems to have had a hard time treading the line between his diplomat's desire to be Mr. Nice, and the requirements of a job in which speaking truth to power is essential.
As chair of the G8, Russia can and should intervene with Khartoum with a very clear message: G8 leaders want Sudan to accept the urgent deployment of a UN force in Darfur. Russia should step up and ensure Sudan's leadership hears, understands and complies with that message.
The transfer of former Liberian president and war crimes suspect Charles Taylor to the UN-backed Special Court on Sierra Leone is more evidence that the world has become a less hospitable place for people who are accused of committing atrocities.
The African Union will this month decide the fate of one of the continent’s most brutal dictators -- Hissène Habré of Chad. Habré’s victims, who have been seeking to bring him to justice for 15 years, are counting on South Africa and other democratic countries not to let him slip away again.
A political prisoner under Hissène Habré's rule, Souleymane Guengueng took an oath that if he ever got out, he would fight for justice. His quest is now in the hands of the African Union, whose leaders, meeting at a summit next week, have the chance to send Habré to trial.
A Belgian court last week charged Hissène Habré, the former dictator of Chad, with crimes against humanity and torture, paving the way for him to be extradited from his exile in Senegal.
What is surprising is the recent assault on the ICC from within the African Union, despite, as outlined in a recent communiqué of its Peace and Security Council, its "unflinching commitment to combating impunity." Several of the AU's North African members - who are not, incidentally, parties to the ICC - are trying to undercut its support on the continent.
Nearly two hundred thousand local people fled their homes when armed militias began to devastate eastern Chad in late 2005. Now, as conditions improve, some are trying to return home. Many find their land has been seized. Others are forced to join one of the paramilitary groups that still roam the countryside. Some face death.
John Laughland suggests that human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, are more concerned about the conviction of former heads of state than about them getting fair trials. Nothing could be further from the truth.
During his first few weeks as UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon seems to have had a hard time treading the line between his diplomat's desire to be Mr. Nice, and the requirements of a job in which speaking truth to power is essential.
As chair of the G8, Russia can and should intervene with Khartoum with a very clear message: G8 leaders want Sudan to accept the urgent deployment of a UN force in Darfur. Russia should step up and ensure Sudan's leadership hears, understands and complies with that message.
The transfer of former Liberian president and war crimes suspect Charles Taylor to the UN-backed Special Court on Sierra Leone is more evidence that the world has become a less hospitable place for people who are accused of committing atrocities.
The African Union will this month decide the fate of one of the continent’s most brutal dictators -- Hissène Habré of Chad. Habré’s victims, who have been seeking to bring him to justice for 15 years, are counting on South Africa and other democratic countries not to let him slip away again.
A political prisoner under Hissène Habré's rule, Souleymane Guengueng took an oath that if he ever got out, he would fight for justice. His quest is now in the hands of the African Union, whose leaders, meeting at a summit next week, have the chance to send Habré to trial.
A Belgian court last week charged Hissène Habré, the former dictator of Chad, with crimes against humanity and torture, paving the way for him to be extradited from his exile in Senegal.