The ICC prosecutor decided to open an investigation in the DRC in July 2004, following a referral of the situation by the Congolese authorities. The prosecutor initially focused on the conflict in Ituri and brought two cases in relation to crimes there, before moving on to the Kivu provinces. There is currently one other trial related to crimes in the DRC at the ICC. Human Rights Watch has called on the ICC prosecutor to bring additional cases in order to make a meaningful contribution to justice and ending impunity in Congo.
Key Documents:
ICC’s First-Ever Probe Must Be Effective
https://www.hrw.org/news/2004/06/23/icc-s-first-ever-probe-must-be-effective
ICC/DRC: New War Crimes Suspect Arrested
https://www.hrw.org/news/2008/02/07/iccdrc-new-war-crimes-suspect-arrested
ICC/DRC: Second Trial of Congolese Warlords
https://www.hrw.org/news/2009/11/23/iccdrc-second-trial-congolese-warlords
Unfinished Business
https://www.hrw.org/reports/2011/09/15/unfinished-business
Courting History: The Landmark International Criminal Court’s First Years
