THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - The International Criminal Court is launching an investigation of war crimes committed during conflicts in Congo - the court's first formal case since its creation two years ago, the chief prosecutor said Wednesday.
| Excellent -- this'll keep them out of our hair for years! |
The court, which has been monitoring events in Congo for nearly a year, would investigate accusations of atrocities among warring tribes and insurgents from neighboring Rwanda, including allegations of summary executions, cannibalism and torture. Rwanda and Congo fought a 1998-2002 war in Congo that embroiled the armies of at least four other African nations, split Africa's third-largest nation, and killed an estimated 3.3 million people, most through famine and disease. In April, Congo became the second country to give jurisdiction to the court to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide committed on its territory. The first was Uganda, but no formal investigation has begun there.
| 'cause Carla del Ponte was too busy to come by. |
The announcement did not say when prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo would send investigators to the central African nation. "It is potentially a huge milestone in attempting to end the impunity that has been so rampant in the Congo for so long," said Richard Dicker, head of Human Rights Watch's International Justice Program. One challenge for the court will be providing security for investigators and potential witnesses.
| Send in the mighty Uruguayans! |
Moreno-Ocampo said investigations would focus on the northeastern Ituri region, where the worst atrocities have been reported, worsened by struggles to control the region's mineral wealth. In 2003, a French-led force went to the area after reports of massacres. In a written assessment last year, Moreno-Ocampo pointed to "summary executions, systematic torture, unlawful arrests and detention of individuals." Crimes targeting women were common, and children as young as 7 were forced to fight. |