PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
16th July, 2014 - Freetown, Sierra Leone:
On International Justice Day: CARL Urges African Leaders to 'demonstrate respect for victims'
The Center for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL) today urged African leaders to demonstrate more respect for victims of the continent's bloody conflicts by rejecting impunity and supporting efforts to foster justice and accountability. While addressing journalists in Freetown ahead of International Justice Day, CARL's Executive Director said impunity for grave crimes ignores the depth of pain and deprivation victims suffer, and further undermines efforts at restoring and consolidating peace.
On July 17 each year, people around the world celebrate the emerging system of international justice and the progress achieved, particularly in the last couple of decades. Regrettably, the progress of the last couple of decades in Africa is clearly under serious threat. At a recent summit in Equatorial Guinea, African leaders adopted a draft protocol to expand the African Court on Justice and Human Rights to include authority to try international crimes, but that protocol provides immunity for 'Heads of state' and some 'senior state officials' for as long as they continue to hold such positions. This is clearly a step backwards, and sends a negative message about Africa’s commitment to promoting justice and accountability for international crimes. For many victims on the continent, it basically means that such leaders and officials cannot face justice before domestic courts or the regional African court.
"The draft protocol on the new African court effectively settles the debate on whether the recent deterioration in relations between the International Criminal Court and African leaders was only protest against the ICC's model of justice or accountability in its entirety. This draft protocol unfortunately leaves no one in doubt regarding the position of our leaders on the question of justice and accountability for victims," CARL's Executive Director Ibrahim Tommy said.
Today, thousands of victims in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Nigeria, Kenya, among others, would at least expect their leaders to support demands for justice and accountability. The victims in Sierra Leone and Rwanda who have somewhat received judicial justice in the last two decades are no different than those in Kenya and Sudan. The justice processes for those victims were immensely supported by African leaders, whose continued support will be critical for promoting justice and accountability in Africa.
The draft protocol will only come into force after being ratified by 15 states. The Sierra Leone Government and other African countries have an opportunity to send a clear and positive message about their commitment to peace, justice and accountability by rejecting the immunity provisions in the protocol. Sierra Leone's President Koroma, who was recently awarded by a local organization for his contributions to promoting international justice, has another opportunity to reject impunity and support the cause of justice for victims.
(C) Politico 17/07/14
