ICC May Try Suspects of Post-Election Violence in Kenya
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By Dahee Nam
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa
International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo.
The HAGUE, Netherlands – The International Criminal Court (ICC) asked Kenya for an investigation report and a 12-month prosecution plan of the country’s worst election violence in December 2007 which claimed some 1,500 lives. ICC warned that it will take further steps if the perpetrators are not punished in Kenya.
During yesterdays’ meeting with the Kenyan delegation led by Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo, ICC prosecutor Lui Moreno Ocampo gave the Kenyan government a final chance to set up a special tribunal with the help of Parliament to bring key culprits of the 2007 post-election violence to justice.
"If there is no parliamentary agreement, and in accordance with the Kenya’s commitment to end impunity of those responsible for the most serious crimes, the Government of Kenya will refer the situation to the prosecutor in accordance with Article 14 of the Rome Statute," the prosecutor said.
"The crimes allegedly committed in Kenya after the 2007 elections may fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC and warrant investigations and prosecutions. … There are serious allegations of crimes against humanity committed during the post-electoral period,” he added.
The Kenyan delegation preferred and agreed to provide the ICC with the requested documents including the report of investigation and prosecution by the end of September.
Some 1,500 people were killed in riots and ethnic fighting following the presidential polls in December 2007 where the then opposition chief Raila Odinga accused President Mwai Kibaki of having stolen the vote.
For more information, please see:
AFP - ICC May Try Kenya Violence Suspects: Prosecutor - 3 July 2009
Daily Nation- Hague Prosecutor's Tough Terms to Kenya - 3 July 2009
The Independent Online - ICC May Probe Election Violence in Kenya - 3 July 2009
The Standard Online - ICC Prosecutor Gives Post-Election Suspects More Time - 3 July 2009




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