International Criminal Court / Democratic Republic of the Congo /
Trial of Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga Dyilo
THE HAGUE, Netherland, January 27, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Daily press briefing by the office of the spokesperson for the UN secretary-general
The trial of Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga Dyilo opened today before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. It is not only the first trial in the history of the ICC but also the first trial in the history of international law to see the active participation of victims in the proceedings. A total of 93 victims have been recognized by ICC judges to take part in the trial. They are represented by a team of eight lawyers.
The accused, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, was the first suspect taken into ICC custody since the Court became effective in July 2002. He faces charges of war crimes, including enlisting and conscripting children under the age of 15, and using them in active hostilities in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is alleged to have committed these crimes between September 2002 and August 2003. He pleaded not guilty today.
SOURCE : United Nations – Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General
