October 2019 - ICC News Update
By Rachel Grand, Junior Research Associate PILPG-NL
Lawyering Justice has resumed the Monthly News Updates segment. this post compiles the latest news on the work of the International Criminal Court. The information is drawn from local and international online sources.
Africa
Mali | International Criminal Court puts Mali War Crimes Suspect to Trial
Judges confirmed charges against Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz, for war crimes and crimes against humanity, were substantial enough to put him on trial. The date for the trial has not yet been set. [September 30, 2019]
Central African Republic | ICC Concludes Confirmation of Charges Hearing in Yekatom and Nagaissona Case
The Pre-Trial Chamber II hearings to determine if there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds for the charges against Yekatom and Nagaissona concluded. The judges have 60 days to deliberate and present a written decision. [October 11, 2019]
Nigeria | ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, concludes visit to Abuia, Nigeria
Prosecutor Bensouda met with the Vice President of Nigeria, H.E. Mr Yemi Osinbajo, to discuss the Nigerian government’s support and cooperation with the Office of the Prosecutor’s preliminary examination of the situation in Nigeria. [October 14, 2019]
Cote d’Ivoire | ICC Prosecutor Asks Judges to Declare a Mistrial in Gbagbo Case
Judges acquitted Gbagbo last January based on the prosecution’s failure to satisfy the burden of proof of several core elements of the case. Prosecutor Bensouda filed an appeal this month, citing the trial judges’ failure to comply with the court’s rules to offer written explanation for the decision to acquit Gbagbo. [October 18, 2019]
Uganda | Judges Reject Defense Motion to Dismiss Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes Against Ongwen
Trial Chamber IX unanimously rejected the defense motion to dismiss 11 counts of sexual and gender-based crimes because it was late. [October 20, 2019]
Uganda | Ongwen Trial to End in 2020
Prosecutors announced that the trial of Dominic Ongwen is likely to conclude in the next year after the presentation of evidence is concluded this December. [October 23, 2019]
DRC | ICC Trial Chamber VI to deliver Sentence in Ntaganda case on 7 November 2019
The ICC announced that the Trail Chamber VI will deliver its decision on the sentencing for the case of Prosecutor v. Bosco Ntaganda in the coming weeks. [October 29, 2019]
Europe
Poland | President of Poland Visits International Criminal Court
President of Poland, H.E. Andrzej Duda, visited the ICC to express support and the countries commitment to the of the ICC. [October 30, 2019]
Asia
Afghanistan | Prosecutor Files Appeal Brief in ICC’s Afghanistan Case
The Prosecutor appealed the Pre-Trial Chamber’s (PTC) decision to decline her request to open an investigation. The grounds of the appeal were based on the prosecutor’s belief that the PTC abused the use of discretion by not authorizing an investigation. [October 3. 2019]
Korea | ICC Registrar visits Republic of Korea
ICC Registrar, Peter Lewis, visited the Republic of Korea to discuss their support of the ICC and awareness raising about the ICC’s mandate and work in the Asia-Pacific region. [October 31, 2019]
North America
United States of America | ICC President and Prosecutor Attend the UN General Assembly
Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji and ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda attended the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly. This event provides a key platform to highlight the work of the ICC, build support, and to draw on synergies with relevant stakeholders and actors to further the goals of the Rome Statute. [October 1, 2019]