Boko Haram: Cameroonian Army Joins Nigerian Troops In Borno…

Cameroonian soldiers have joined forces with the Nigerian troops in Borno to combat Boko Haram terrrorist in the North-eastern part of Nigeria.

This development occurred after military authorities from the two countries met on Monday to join efforts in tackling Boko Haram insurgents whose activities have posed a major threat to the countries.

Venezuela Offers Full Cooperation To ICC ‘Inquisition’ by ‘Tyrant-Hunter’…

Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry issued a “firm and categorical rejection” this Thursday following declarations from the International Criminal Court (ICC) that it will be opening a “preliminary investigation” into police abuses from April 2017 onwards. It did however assure its “complete contribution” to the preliminary investigation so as to clear its name.

The ICC’s decision was announced by Gambian Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, also nicknamed the “Tyrant-hunter”. Recently, Venezuela’s ex-Attorney General, Luisa Ortega Diaz, who is being hunted by Interpol on corruption charges, submitted documents to the ICC alleging against the Venezuelan State.

Venezuela’s Foreign Office issued a communique which cast the ICC preliminary investigation in doubt, explaining that “the figure of preliminary investigation is non-existent in the Rome Statutes (the founding constitution of the ICC)” to which Venezuela “reiterates its commitment to”.

The Foreign Office announcement assured the international community that Venezuela “is a democratic, social state based on human rights and justice”.

According to the press release, the Venezuelan state did not received any official approach from the ICC, but “surprisingly” found out about the “baseless accusations” through Bensouda’s written statement.

The ICC is defined as a “complementary” court, which is only able to open legal proceedings in cases in which national legal institutions fail to address them. Equally, as defined in the November 2013 Policy Paper, preliminary investigations “arise from the principal of complementariness. National jurisdictions have the primordial responsibility of ending impunity for the accused crimes”.

Following the ICC’s announcement, Venezuela’s Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, clarified that Venezuelan authorities have been, and are investigating and prosecuting the violent acts of 2017, deeming unnecessary and illegal any ICC intervention.

“The information which the ICC’s prosecutor has seems to be biased, she hasn’t had the opportunity to talk us to find out about the legal procedures we are carrying out regarding the violent acts which we saw in the country”.

The Attorney General’s office, he continued, “has documentation which shows that all of the cases have been attended by both the courts and the Ombudsman’s offices… we have meticulous reports about the imputations and accusations and we are willing to show her these”.

Despite such allegedly dubious bases for an ICC investigation or “preliminary investigation”, the Venezuelan government stated that “in the name of our international cooperation duties, (we) assure (the ICC) of our full contribution so that the mentioned deeds may be explained” so reads the communique from the Foreign Office.

Saab equally stated that “we are willing to supply relevant information to the Court to show that they hold no jurisdiction in this matter, in complete conformity with their constitution, our own laws, and international legislation”.

The ICC declaration, which also includes a “preliminary investigation” into the Philippines, proclaims that “following a careful, independent and impartial review of a number of communications and reports documenting alleged crimes potentially falling within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, I have decided to open a preliminary examination into each situation”.

“The preliminary examination of the situation in Venezuela will analyse crimes allegedly committed in this State Party since at least April 2017, in the context of demonstrations and related political unrest” explained the ‘Tyrant-hunter’ prosecutor, who, according to Saab’s declarations, has failed to both inform the Venezuelan authorities of the procedures.

“In particular” she continues, “it has been alleged that State security forces frequently used excessive force to disperse and put down demonstrations, and arrested and detained thousands of actual or perceived members of the opposition, a number of whom would have been allegedly subjected to serious abuse and ill-treatment in detention. It has also been reported that some groups of protesters resorted to violent means, resulting in some members of security forces being injured or killed”.

April 2017 saw opposition extremists block roads, attack and burn alive dark skinned citizens deemed to be government supporters, shoot upon security forces, burn buildings (including schools, preschools, universities, and public transport units), and place a bomb in a major square in Caracas with the prime objective of halting upcoming elections. Over 130 died as a direct result of their actions, including numerous policemen, firemen, and other security personnel. The number of deaths indirectly caused by, particularly, road blockades which prevented ambulances and other vehicles from freely circulating, is in the thousands.

SOURCE; https://venezuelanalysis.com/News/13653

Warlord’s Conviction in Central African Republic -a First Step…

On Jan. 22, a court in the Central African Republic convicted and sentenced a former warlord and leader of the anti-Balaka militia, Rodrigue Ngaibona, to life in prison. Human rights groups described it as a first in the war-torn nation and a “decisive first step” in delivering justice for crimes committed during the violence that has gripped the country for the past five years. In an email interview, Elise Keppler, the associate director of the International Justice Program at Human Rights Watch, and Lewis Mudge, a senior researcher in the Africa Division at Human Rights Watch focusing on the Central African Republic, discuss the conviction, the state of the country’s fledgling Special Criminal Court and the level of political will to seek justice.

On the significance of the conviction of Ngaibona, and the capacity of CAR courts to prosecute, Elise Keppler and Lewis Muge stated that Andjilo  conviction by the Bangui Criminal Court marks an important moment for the Central African Republic, as he is the first person held accountable for crimes that were committed in the country after late 2012, when the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebel groups launched a campaign to overthrow the central government and plunged the country into violent conflict. Andjilo was found guilty of crimes that included murder, aggravated theft and the illegal possession of arms.

This case was never going to be easy for the Central African Republic’s judiciary. Many people in the country consider the anti-Balaka militia to have been their defenders during the period of violent civil strife, and they will be chagrined that a person they consider their own has been sentenced to life in prison while the Seleka still control vast swaths of territory with impunity. During the trial, there was legitimate concern for the safety of judges and the prosecutorial team. However, the national courts have demonstrated their willingness to face the risks by following through on the prosecution and conviction of Andjilo, providing victims in the country with hope that they will witness justice being done.

The case also demonstrates the challenges the judiciary must overcome, including getting a court up and running that could handle a trial of this magnitude. This was not an easy task. Andjilo was arrested by United Nations peacekeepers in January 2015, and holding someone in pretrial detention for three years is highly problematic.

They further stated that  in the past year, the Special Criminal Court has made important progress. The chief prosecutor and judges from the Central African Republic and abroad have now been appointed. While this seems like an obvious key step, it took time, especially given the context of ongoing violence and instability across the country, often in Bangui, the capital.

The court still continues to face challenges. Providing security for court staff, victims and potential witnesses is a major one. The anti-Balaka and Seleka groups continue to control large parts of the country outside Bangui, which could hamper investigations. The financial situation of the court is also challenging. The Special Criminal Court is dependent on voluntary contributions, and the lion’s share of its budget for the next five years is still without funding. Authorities from the Central African Republic need to underscore the importance of this court to their international partners, who should provide strong political and financial support for it to succeed.

Human Rights Watch has documented cases of sexual slavery and rape committed by men under Andjilo. There is a chance he could also be tried for other crimes once the Special Criminal Court gets up and running.

when asked how they would asses the current level of political will to pursue justice for grave crimes in the Central African Republic, and how it has been affected by persistent instability, Elise and Mudge affirmed that impunity has been central to the perpetuation of violence in the Central African Republic. Perpetrators of horrific crimes know they can get away with it. The government of former President Francois Bozize, who was overthrown by the Seleka, reflected this nonchalant attitude toward accountability as money for the judicial system constantly went missing. Since 2015, however, both the transitional and the current governments have affirmed their commitment to breaking the cycles of violence that plague the country and making accountability for serious crimes a priority.

A positive sign is that criminal cases have been heard in Bangui each year since 2015, covering at least some of the serious crimes committed in the country, such as murder, rape and assault. With the exception of the Andjilo case, however, none of these cases were tied to the recent conflict. The court sessions do not handle many cases, but to get them funded and organized is a challenge. It is a testament to both the government and international partners that these sessions are held at all.

More has to be accomplished in the near future, including the adoption of the Special Criminal Court’s rules of procedure and evidence, but the prosecutor is in place and developing his strategy. Nonetheless, the court is not being established in a political vacuum. Armed groups continue to seek a place at the negotiating table, and the question of amnesty still lurks in the margins of some of the negotiations to end fighting in certain areas. Thus far, officials from the Central African Republic have not yielded when it comes to giving amnesties that would cover grave crimes. But some of the same groups that are implicated in grave crimes and are demanding blanket amnesties are seeing their own men placed in high-ranking positions in the current government, which is a concern.

Amnesty deals have been made in the past in the Central African Republic, which contributed to recurrent violence. It will be crucial that amnesties extending to grave crimes remain off the table. This is consistent with international law and practice. Moreover, the citizens of the Central African Republic have made clear their desire for perpetrators to be held to account as part of the recommendations of the Bangui Forum on National Reconciliation held in 2015.

The reason these groups want blanket amnesty is clear. We have talked with their leaders, and they are afraid of justice. They know that Andjilo was found guilty. They know about the Special Criminal Court and are scared that it can end the impunity they have enjoyed for so long. And they are terrified of being held accountable for their actions.

SOURCE; https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/trend-lines/24139/warlord-s-conviction-in-central-african-republic-is-a-first-step-toward-justice

ICC Vows to Work Independently in Examining PH Drug…

The International Criminal Court on Thursday assured the Philippines it would work with “full independence” in conducting a preliminary examination on the crimes allegedly committed by the Duterte administration in its war on drugs.

“Following a careful, independent and impartial review of a number of communications and reports documenting alleged crimes potentially falling within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”), I have decided to open a preliminary examination into each situation,” ICC prosecutor Fatuous Bensouda said in a statement.

Bensouda said the “preliminary examination of the situation in the Philippines will analyze crimes allegedly committed in this State Party since at least 1 July 2016, in the context of the “war on drugs” campaign launched by the Government of the Philippines.”

DE LIMA URGES ICC TO HASTEN UP WITH PRELIMINARY…

MANILA, Philippines – Detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Thursday, February 8, urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to “act with urgency” in the preliminary examination that they are set to conduct into the bloody war on drugs.

“Killings are still happening, it’s a factor why the preliminary examination must be treated with a sense of urgency,” De Lima said  Thursday afternoon.

Malacañang announced that the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor has sent them notice that it will conduct a preliminary examination, the very first step in the ICC’s legal process which aims to establish whether they really have jurisdiction over the case.

ICC’s jurisdiction is determined when it sees that the Philippines is “unable or unwilling” to conduct any “genuine” investigation into the issue – in this case, the accusation that President Rodrigo Duterte is accountable for the thousands killed in his flagship campaign, the police’s war on drugs.

A handful of drug war deaths have been filed in court, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in September after being pressed about the data. Among them the sensational cases of teenagers Kian delos Santos and Carl Angelo Arnaiz, where local cops have been arrested for murder and planting of evidence.

“But is the President covered in those cases? There is no investigation covering him right now,” De Lima said.

De Lima also cited the terminated investigations of the Senate into the testimonies of self-confessed Davao Death Squad (DDS) hitmen Edgar Matobato and Arturo Lascañas.

The Senator also pointed out that the Office of the Ombudsman dropped Duterte in its preliminary investigation into Matobato’s accusation that Duterte ordered the DDS to kill Jun Barsabal and Jun Pala.

“Does that indicate willingness?” De Lima said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Philippines’ local courts can handle cases arising from the deaths in the police’s war on drugs.

“There is a petition in the Supreme Court, but look at what Solicitor General Jose Calida did, defying the order to provide full documentation of Oplan TokHang,” De Lima said, adding that Calida’s reasoning that releasing the documents would risk national security is “baloney.”

‘Immunity’

Philippine presidents, being impeachable officers, enjoy immunity from suit.

But Roque pointed out on Thursday that this should not be taken to mean that Duterte will never be prosecuted, because immunity only lasts until the end of his term.

“As we have shown the world, two of our past presidents went to jail immediately after their terms of office,” Roque said referring to former presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo jailed for plunder, but who are both free and serving terms as elected officials.

De Lima said the theory of immunity must be challenged at this point, saying that the drafters of the Constitution did not anticipate “this magnitude of killings” in the hands of a “notorious president.”

De Lima said she wishes the ICC would take a look at her detention and see it as proof that the administration is unwilling to investigate accusations of crime against the President.

Duterte’s staunchest critic, De Lima was the first to investigate the DDS as a Human Rights Commissioner and it was she who led the Senate investigations into it until she was arrested and locked up on charges of engaging in the drug trade.

SOURCE:  Rappler.com https://www.rappler.com/nation/195580-de-lima-icc-the-hague-act-urgency-killings

L’augmentation De La Situation Des Droits De l’homme Au…

La Mission Multidimensionnelle Intégrée des Nations Unies pour la Stabilisation au Mali et le bureau du Haut-Commissaire aux droits de l’homme (HCDH) ont publié aujourd’hui un rapport public sur les droits de l’homme et le processus de paix au Mali, le produit du suivi et de l’analyse effectués pendent la période intérimaire de l’accord de la paix.

Malgré la signature de l’Accord de paix, le rapport constate que la situation des droits de l’homme reste toujours un sujet d’intérêt.

En conséquence, le rapport publié aujourd’hui révèle que plus de 600 cas de violations et d’abus des droits de l’homme ont été commis entre janvier 2016 et juin 2017. Plus de 800 autres incidents impliquant des éléments armés non identifiés et mettant en danger la vie des civils s’arrivé également pendent cette période. Au total, ces actes de violence faire l’impact sur plus de 2 700 victimes, dont 441 personnes sont tuées. La grande majorité des victimes étaient des hommes et des enfants.

Plus de 78% des violations, abus et autres incidents mettant en danger la vie des civils impliquaient des mouvements armés signataires ou non signataires de l’Accord de paix, ou des éléments armés non identifiés. Les auteurs incluent également des éléments affiliés à Al-Qaïda au Maghreb islamique (AQMI), Ansar Dine et d’autres groupes similaires. Les acteurs de l’État malien, principalement les forces de défense et de sécurité maliennes, étaient impliqués dans 20% de ces cas, tandis que les forces internationales, y compris la MINUSMA, étaient impliquées dans 2% d’entre eux.

Divers confrontation entre groupes armés signataires dans la région de Kidal, l’expansion des activités d’AQMI, d’Ansar Dine et d’autres groupes similaires, une caractère généralisé croissante de vols et d’autres crimes violents dans les régions centrales du Mali, ainsi que des opérations antiterroristes menées par les forces de défense et de sécurité maliennes, sont les principaux facteurs conduisant à des violations des droits de l’homme et des abus.

Dans ce contexte, la Division des droits de l’homme et de la protection de la MINUSMA a travaillé avec les autorités maliennes et les mouvements armés sur des questions liées à la mise en œuvre de l’Accord de paix, notamment la question des détentions liées au conflit. En conséquence, la Division a surveillé les violations des droits de l’homme commises contre des personnes arrêtées et détenues dans le cadre d’opérations antiterroristes.

La Division a également suivi la question de la lutte contre l’impunité, qui est l’élément essentiel de tout processus de paix durable, y compris les procédures judiciaires relatives aux violations et abus commis par les mouvements armés entre 2012 et 2013, ainsi que celles impliquant la défense et la sécurité des forces maliennes au cours de leur reprise du nord du Mali à partir de 2013.

Le rapport a remarqué, cependant, que des progrès significatifs ont été réalisés dans le domaine de la justice transitionnelle, avec la création de la Commission vérité, justice et réconciliation et le début des déclarations des victimes et des témoins de violations et abus des droits de l’homme.

“Ce rapport fournit des informations utiles sur les défis et les progrès de la situation des droits de l’homme dans le nord et le centre du Mali”. Le représentant spécial du Secrétaire général des Nations Unies et chef de la MINUSMA, Monsieur Mahamat Saleh Annadif, ajouté que «  Il explique également que le respect des droits de l’homme, loin d’être un facteur de tension, peut contribuer, au contraire, à créer un environnement contribuant à la mise en œuvre de l’Accord de paix »

Source:        http://ncicc.org.ng/2018/02/03/human-rights-situation-in-mali-increases/

Les Suspects De Boko Haram En Proces Pubic Au…

Quatre-vingt-une personnes accusées de se battre pour Boko Haram ont été jugées le jeudi au Niger lors d’une audience publique, l’une des premières du genre après les procès à huis clos des insurgés présumés a été critiquée par des groupes de défense des droits humains.

Ceux qui sont jugés par un tribunal international spécial à Niamey, la capitale, viennent du Niger, du Nigeria et du Tchad et sont soupçonnés de jouer un rôle dans la tentative de Boko Haram de créer un califat au Nigéria.

L’insurrection islamiste s’est étendue au-delà de ses racines au Nigeria, impliqué du morts de 20 000 et déracinant près de 3 millions dans la région du lac Tchad.

Les procès de Niamey font suite à des procès à huis clos de Boko Haram, y compris au Nigéria, où un tribunal a emprisonné 45 personnes entre trois et trente-et-un ans en prison en octobre, mais le gouvernement  ne donnait pas la raison pour laquelle ils avaient été condamnés.

Les procès ouverts visent à montrer que les combattants présumés bénéficieront d’une procédure régulière, et pourraient également contribuer à atténuer un conflit augmenté par le mauvais traitement des captifs.

La mort du fondateur de Boko Haram en 2009, Mohammed Yusuf,  qui était emprisonnement est considérée comme l’un des principaux déclencheurs du conflit.

Le tribunal de Niamey entendra  le 22 procès distinctes au cours des 10 jours, à la suite du procès de près de 300 personnes accusées de l’accusation  similaires l’année dernière. En tout, près de 1 000 personnes devraient comparaître devant le tribunal.

Boko Haram Suspects Go on Public Trial in Niger