Brussels, 15/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - The verdict of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday 14 March against Thomas Lubanga Dyilo from the Democratic Republic of Congo, for war crimes, is welcomed by the EU as a victory for international criminal justice and for children's rights.
In a statement published on behalf of the EU, on Wednesday, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton underlines that the “verdict of the ICC in the case of Mr Lubanga Dyilo constitutes a milestone for international criminal justice. (…) This judgment constitutes a significant achievement for the Court in its task of ensuring respect for, and enforcement of, international justice.” On the basis of this first verdict, Ashton adds: “The verdict demonstrates that perpetrators cannot act with impunity. It resonates far beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as the trial of Mr Lubanga has raised awareness about the plight of child soldiers and the fact that recruiting and using children under 15 in combat is a war crime.” The high representative points out on this occasion that the European Union has already given its full support to the ICC since its founding treaty was adopted in 1998.
ICC prosecutors have requested 30 years' imprisonment for Lubanga who, among other charges brought against him, had recruited and commanded child soldiers in Ituri (north-east extremity of the country), in 2002 and 2003. This is the very first verdict by the ICC since its creation ten years ago. (AN/transl.jl)