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Central African Republic: First Trial at the Special Criminal Court

Questions and Answers

What is the Special Criminal Court? What is the first trial before the SCC about? When will the trial start and how long will it run? Why is the SCC important? When did the SCC become operational? How does the SCC relate to the…
A new building was established for the Special Criminal Court (SCC) in Bangui, Central African Republic in November 2020. 
News

Central African Republic: War Crimes Court’s First Trial

Offers Potential Justice Model for Other Countries

(Nairobi) – The opening of the first trial at the Central African Republic’s Special Criminal Court (SCC) on April 19, 2022 represents significant progress in the difficult effort to see justice for grave crimes committed in the country, Human Rights…
The SCC courtroom in Bangui, where the first trial for serious international crimes committed since 2003, is set to begin on April 19. 
News

Mokom’s Reckoning in the Central African Republic

Anti-Balaka Leader to Face Justice at ICC

On March 14, Chad surrendered a former military coordinator of a group of anti-balaka militia in the Central African Republic, Maxime Mokom, to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Mokom had fled to Chad after having taken part in a rebel coalition…
A man sits facing the camera
News

Central African Republic: ICC Holds Anti-Balaka Leader

Surrender a Major Step for Justice

(Nairobi) – The surrender of Maxime Mokom, a former leader of anti-balaka forces in the Central African Republic, is a significant step forward for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its efforts to bring justice for crimes committed in the…
ICC permanent premises
News

Important Step Toward Justice in DR Congo?

Transitional Justice Plans Should Include Prosecutions for Grave Crimes

The Congolese human rights minister launched national consultations on a new transitional justice initiative that, if implemented, would help the Democratic Republic of Congo emerge from conflict, address grave human rights violations, and institute…
Women demonstrate for peace in Beni, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, April 23, 2021.
News

World Must Send a Clear Message After Brutal Use of Cluster Bombs

On Wednesday, Boris Johnson accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing war crimes in Ukraine. Johnson is certainly right that Ukrainian civilians are being killed by indiscriminate attacks, but will anyone end up in the dock? The…
A residential building in Chernihiv, Ukraine damaged by Russian aerial attack on March 3, 2022.
News

Central African Republic Special Court Announces First Trial

Justice for 3R Abuses an Important Step Toward Accountability

On December 17, the Central African Republic’s Special Criminal Court (SCC) announced it will send its first case to trial. This is a significant moment in the difficult effort to see justice for heinous abuses committed in the most recent conflicts…
Judges from the Central African Republic’s Special Criminal Court (SCC) listen to arguments in a hearing
News

ICC Starts Next Chapter in Colombia

Will It Lead to Justice?

On October 28, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan, on a visit to Bogota, announced that his office is closing down its preliminary examination in the country. The decision was cast as heralding a new chapter in the…
President Ivan Duque
News

Central African Republic: Detain War Crimes Suspect Now

Hassan Bouba Should Be Re-Arrested After Surprise Release from Detention

(Nairobi) – The Central African Republic government should coordinate with United Nations peacekeepers to ensure that war crimes suspect Hassan Bouba, who was released from detention in defiance of court orders and escorted home by national gendarmes…
Hassan Bouba Ali (R) with Ali Darassa (C) surrounded by other UPC leaders, during a meeting at their headquarters in Alindao, October 2017.
News

Central African Republic: Minister Faces Atrocity Charges

Important Step for Justice; Special Criminal Court Arrests Former Armed Group Leader

(Nairobi) – The Special Criminal Court (SCC) in the Central African Republic has arrested and brought charges against a government minister for war crimes and crimes against humanity in an important step for justice, Human Rights Watch said today. A…
Hassan Bouba Ali (R) with Ali Darassa (C) surrounded by other UPC leaders, during a meeting at their headquarters in Alindao, October 2017.
News

ICC Should Pursue Higher-Level Seleka from Central African Republic

Confirmation of Charges Hearing in Commander Case Starts Today

Today, the International Criminal Court (ICC) begins the pretrial hearing in the case of a former commander of the Seleka rebel group, who is charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Central African Republic. The case is an important…
An ICC billboard in Bangui in September 2021, announcing Said’s confirmation of charges hearing.
News

Central African Republic: Important Step for Justice

Special Criminal Court Charges Sanctioned Commander

(Bangui) – The Special Criminal Court (SCC) in the Central African Republic, in an important step for justice, has brought charges against Capt. Eugène Ngaïkosset, known within the country as “The Butcher of Paoua,” Human Rights Watch said. His…
Special Prosecutor Toussaint Muntazini (right) and five other judges of Central African Republic’s Special Criminal Court (SCC) sit at the National Assembly in Bangui, having been sworn in on June 30, 2017.
News

After Intervention, UK Bill Still Allows Justice for War Crimes

Important Problems Remain

UK troops who commit war crimes and crimes against humanity overseas, can still be prosecuted in UK courts. In May the UK government reversed course on a plan that would have effectively immunized from prosecution UK forces who allegedly committed…
The International Criminal Court, or ICC, is seen in The Hague, Netherlands, November 7, 2019. 
News

Gaza Hostilities Underscore ICC’s Role

Member Countries Should Extend Prosecutor Full Support

Israeli forces have launched relentless airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, while Hamas and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza have fired rockets at Israeli population centers. At least 227 people, including 64 children have been killed in Gaza, 72,000 people…
ICC permanent premises
News

DR Congo: Prioritize Justice for Serious Crimes

New Lukonde Government Should Set Transitional Justice Roadmap

(Kinshasa) – The Democratic Republic of Congo’s newly appointed government should adopt a clear strategy for holding those suspected of criminal responsibility for grave human rights violations accountable, a coalition of over 50 Congolese and…
Women demonstrate for peace in Beni, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, April 23, 2021.
News

The United Kingdom's Brazen Assault on ICC Independence

Prime Minister’s Letter at Odds with Rule of Law

In a deeply unsettling letter made public this week, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asserted the United Kingdom’s strong opposition to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Palestine investigation. The letter, sent to the Conservative…
ICC permanent premises

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