Ordinary Justice and Traditional Justice Systems
CONGO, DR: Human rights organisations demand steps to prosecute war crimes in Congo DR
A coalition of 146 Congolese and international human rights organizations released a joint declaration urging the government to establish specialized mixed chambers, and to adopt legislation implementing the Rome Statute of the ICC to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide through its national justice system. This would require that definitions of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide be introduced into Congolese law in accordance with the ICC treaty, and would also regulate the cooperation between Congolese authorities and the court. The organizations that put forth the declaration said they are greatly encouraged by the government’s stated commitments to address atrocities that have been ongoing in the war-torn country. According to the organizations, repeated cycles of violence and impunity over the past two decades, particularly in eastern Congo, have resulted in the deaths of an estimated five million people from violence, hunger and lack of medical care. National armed forces from Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, and numerous non-state armed groups have carried out massacres, summary executions, rape, torture, forced recruitment of children, and pillaging and burning of homes. (Jurist, HRW, 01/04/14)