Gambian elected new ICC Chief Prosecutor
"Those trying to bring unspeakable atrocities anywhere in the world will be held accountable,” ICC’s Fatou Bensouda. Pic courtesy of the Nation |
By (AFP)
Posted Monday, December 12 2011 at 20:27
UNITED NATIONS, Monday
International Criminal Court member states on Monday unanimously elected Fatou Bensouda of Gambia as the new chief prosecutor of the main global genocide and war crimes tribunal.
Bensouda said it was "humbling" to be named to the post, which has become one of the most important international legal positions with the growth of international criminal justice over the past decade.
Bensouda, is currently the ICC deputy prosecutor and a former justice minister in Gambia. She will take over next June from Luis Moreno-Ocampo who sought the genocide warrant against Sudan's Omar al-Bashir and crimes against humanity case against late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
The new prosecutor was elected by consensus at the annual meeting of the ICC's 120 state parties at the UN headquarters. Bensouda said she was particularly proud of the support given by Africa.
"The African continent has again shown its support and its engagement in favour of international justice and the court," Bensouda said after the election. "But let me stress: I will be the prosecutor of all the states parties in an independent and impartial manner," she added.
All of the ICC's formal investigations are in Africa but many of the continent's leaders say Africa is unfairly targeted and an African Union summit this year decided not to carry out warrants issued against African leaders.
Bensouda called the ICC, set up by the 2002 Rome statute, "a truly unique institution. She said the court was "changing international relations forever."
Bensouda will face immediate challenges with Bashir still no closer to answering the charges against him over the conflict in Darfur. She must also handle a sensitive case over whether Seif al-Islam, the son of Gaddafi, is tried in Libya or at the ICC in The Hague.
Bensouda was one of 52 candidates interviewed for the post. African nations had pressed for Bensouda's appointment, however, and many analysts have expressed the hope that her nomination will increase the tribunal's acceptance on the continent.
In a speech to the meeting, Botswana's President Ian Khama hit out at African leaders who refuse to cooperate with the tribunal, saying it put the continent "on the wrong side of history."
Khama particularly criticized an African Union summit decision in June to oppose arrest warrants issued for Gaddafi and other African leaders.
"This decision is a serious setback in the battle against impunity in Africa and undermines efforts to confront war crimes and crimes against humanity which are committed by some leaders on the continent," Khama said.
"Such a move also places Africa on the wrong side of history. It is a betrayal of the innocent and helpless victims of such crimes."
"We need to have the political will and the moral courage to hold accountable, without fear or favour, anyone in authority -- including a sitting head of state -- when he or she is suspected of having committed crimes against innocent people," Khama said.
Outgoing prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo said the court's independence could not be taken for granted.
"National or parochial interests are providing incentives to control the court. Reality has demonstrated that the office's independent decisions have triggered conflicts of interests for states," he told the meeting.
"Leaders who are using crimes to retain power have criticized the court and managed to mobilize some international support to this end."
Moreno-Ocampo said there was a second risk of attempts to "blackmail" the court.
"Reality shows that some of the leaders sought by the court threatened to commit more crimes to retain power, blackmailing the international community with a false option: peace or justice. The efficiency of the court will depend on how political leaders and conflict managers react to such blackmail," he said.
Source: Nation
Other Recent Top Ajabu News
Fun, laughter and tight security as Kenyans celebrate
Gambian elected new ICC Chief Prosecutor
Four killed as ODM meeting turns violent
Officials abruptly reveal “bank statement” after media report
Sex abuse in immigrant detention at center of storm
There is little doubt, Kenyans have nothing to be proud of
Differences of opinion cause delay of donated hunger funds remittance
Kenyans in the US will meet the new elections team
Tough new vote law paves way for 2012
Lands officials fired in shake-up
Cancer claims another Kenyan in Boston
Kenyan female medical students should speak up against sex abuse
Ugandan pastor gets a surprise Thanksgiving gift
Kenyans in Diaspora may miss out 2012 poll
East Africans loose millions in Japan car racket
Hunger fund raising committee thanks donors
Foreclosed home owners re-occupy their homes
The global revolt of 2011
Moving Kenyan elections to December 2012 is a bad idea
Doctors amputate frostbitten feet of Kenyan runner
Pope celebrates mass in voodoo heartland
US troops to stay in Uganda until Kony is found
Nun ditches 'husband', picks love brewed in church
US troops to stay in Uganda until Kony is found
Pope celebrates mass in voodoo heartland
Kenyan MPs fight to double home loans to Sh6bn
Battle for Diaspora votes gathers pace
Kenyans in the Diaspora asked to help shape the next elections
Careers:Tax Preparers, Insurance Agents, Contributors
Why Diaspora vote could be game-changer
Kalonzo roots for Diaspora seat in Parliament
Sexual abuse:Penstate vs Immigration detention centers
Kenyan University Workers’ Unions must talk to the Government
New documents detail sex abuse of detained immigrants
Global Fund withholds shs700b for AIDS drugs over gay rights
Raising Cain in post racial America
Israel pledges support for Kenya’s operation against terror group
Back to home page
|
