By Justice Hub
Armed conflict broke out in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1999. More than 60,000 people have reportedly died in the war. All sides in the conflict are alleged to have committed serious human rights violations. In 2004, the then president of the DRC, Joseph Kabila, referred the situation to the ICC, saying that the crimes committed fell in the Court’s jurisdiction. Pre-Trial Chamber 1 issued six arrest warrants.
So far, two of the suspects have been found guilty. Germain Katanga was found guilty of one count of crimes against humanity and four counts of war crimes. He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. Lubanga Dyilo is serving a 14-year sentence for having enlisted and conscripted children under the age of 15 years. Bosco Ntaganda, also known as the Terminator, is currently on trial at the ICC for allegedly committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui was acquitted in late 2012. Pre-Trial Chamber I decided not to confirm the charges against Callixite Mbarushimana, and Sylvestre Mudacumura is still at large.
This is part of a series of long-form infocomics about the situations that the ICC is dealing with:
- Why is the CAR I situation at the ICC?
- Why is the CAR II situation at the ICC?
- Why is the Uganda situation at the ICC?
- Why is the Kenya situation at the ICC?
- Why is the Mali situation at the ICC?
- Why is the Darfur situation at the ICC?
The infocomics are made by Italian journalist and cartoonist Emanuele del Rosso, who works for Justice Hub.
Creative Commons Attribution