On the picture Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü. Director-General expresses concern over alleged recent chemical attacks in Iraq The Director-General of the OPCW, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü has expressed serious concerns about recent reports of possible use of chemical weapons by non-State actors in Iraq including against civilians in Taza city. “The OPCW has taken serious note of these disturbing reports against the background of confirmed use of chemical weapons in Iraq. Any use of chemical weapons is abhorrent and a violation of universally accepted international norms”, said the Director-General. The Director-General has offered technical assistance to Iraq in its investigation of these alleged attacks. The OPCW had recently worked with the Iraqi authorities leading to confirmation of the use of sulfur mustard in an attack in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.    

Terrorist attacks hit Zaventem airport in the north-east of the city and Maelbeek metro station in Brussels city center close to some European Union  institutions, leaving 34 people death and 187 wounded as Islamic State claims responsibility for both attacks. Belgium raised its terrorism alert to the highest level today. Three days of national mourning have been declared. Twin explosions hit the check-in area of the main airport about 8h local time and another single explosion hit the metro station one hour later. A book dedicated to condolences will be opened at the Belgian Embassy for the victims of the terrorist attacks which took place in Brussels today March 22. We encourage people to offer their respect and condolences, and to present themselves at the Belgian Embassy at the scheduled time.

• Wednesday march 23 from 13h to 18h
• Thursday march 24 from 13h to 16h
• Friday march 25 from 13h to 15h

One minute of silence will be observed on Wednesday march 23 at 17h in front of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium Johan Van Oldenbarneveltlaan 11 2582 NE ‘S-Gravenhage. Diplomat Magazine acknowledges the terrible events that have occurred in Brussels today. We wish to exted our warmest regards and wishes to the Belgian communities around the world. Furthermore, we also express sympathy and most especially our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have suffered from the attacks and also to the Belgian diplomatic mission in the Netherlands.          

Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, regarding the conviction of Mr Jean-Pierre Bemba: “This case has highlighted the critical need to eradicate sexual and gender-based crimes as weapons in conflict” Today’s conviction of Mr Jean-Pierre Bemba for his failure to prevent and punish troops under his authority and control for their rapes, murders, and pillaging marks a crucial moment in the long search for justice for the victims of the 2002-2003 events in the Central African Republic (“CAR”). Since this trial began, our resolve has been unshaken and our purpose clear: we aimed to establish the truth through our independent and impartial investigation and prosecution to hold accountable the most responsible person for the serious crimes, including sexual and gender-based crimes, committed against defenceless men, women, and children in the CAR.  We have achieved our purpose. Justice for the victims of the CAR has been our primary and sole objective in this case. The Prosecution called 40 witnesses and submitted hundreds of pieces of documentary evidence about the horrific crimes committed by Mr Bemba’s men during their five- months intervention and  campaign of terror, as well as Mr Bemba’s continuing authority and control over his Mouvement de Libération du Congo (“MLC”) troops in the CAR. In locations under their control, Mr Bemba’s men systematically pillaged the neighbourhoods and raped thousands of women throughout the country. They also murdered civilians who resisted rape and pillaging. The record of this case contains more than 5,000 victims. This Decision reflects the considered assessment of three independent judges who weighed all the evidence presented by the Prosecution and the Defence, as well as the evidence and views expressed by the victims participating in the proceedings through their legal representatives.  At the end of a thorough and impartial judicial process, the Judges found that the crimes charged by the Prosecution had been committed by MLC troops and that Mr Bemba is guilty beyond reasonable doubt for those crimes. Today’s Decision means that Mr Bemba failed, as a commander and leader of the MLC troops, to ensure those under his authority and control did not commit atrocities and were punished if they did so. Mr Bemba did not merely send his soldiers to militarily support the then Central African president; he did not just conduct a military campaign engaging other military forces. What he did was to release his armed men into the civilian populations in the Central African Republic where they engaged in a horrific campaign of pillage, rape and murder. While the reality of the crimes is appalling, the significance of this Decision is to be celebrated.  What this Decision affirms is that commanders are responsible for the acts of the forces under their control. It is a key feature of this decision that those in command or authority and control positions have legal obligations over troops even when they are sent to a foreign country. They cannot take advantage of their power and status to grant to themselves, or their troops, unchecked powers over the life and fate of civilians.  They have a legal obligation to exercise responsible command and control over their troops – to provide sufficient training to ensure that their troops do not commit atrocities. Mr Bemba’s troops inflicted grave crimes against the civilian population. To this day, men, women and children who survived are still haunted by the horror of what happened to them, and what they saw happen to other victims.  Lives have been destroyed for years and it will take several generations to heal. This case is also noteworthy in that it has highlighted the critical need to eradicate sexual and gender-based crimes as weapons of war in conflict by holding accountable those who fail to exercise their duties and responsibilities that their status as commanders and leaders entail.  The campaign of terror perpetrated by Mr Bemba’s troops in the CAR was carried out on a large scale and targeted a significant number of civilians. In this case, the number of rapes committed against civilians exceeded the number of murders. This campaign had horrific consequences and resulted in great victimization. Justice plays an important role. We must continue to strive for the prosecution and accountability of those responsible for such crimes until they are a thing of the past. Today’s outcome is also another concrete expression of my personal commitment and that of my Office to apply the full force of the Rome Statute in the fight against sexual and gender-based crimes. We will spare no efforts to continue to bring accountability for such heinous crimes in future cases. Where some may want to draw a veil over these crimes I, as Prosecutor, must and will continue to draw a line under them. Following this pivotal ruling, the Judges will now consider the appropriate sentence for Mr Bemba.  My Office will now prepare arguments for sentencing guided by the requirements of the Rome Statute. It is my sincere hope is that this conviction brings some comfort to Mr Bemba’s victims, including those subjected to sexual and gender-based crimes. I hope that it will contribute to preventing atrocity crimes in future so as to spare others from the same fate. Make no mistake: today is an important day for international criminal justice.    

ICC Trial Chamber III declares Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Today, 21 March 2016, Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) declared, unanimously, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo guilty beyond any reasonable doubt of two counts of crimes against humanity (murder and rape) and three counts of war crimes (murder, rape, and pillaging). The crimes were committed in Central African Republic (“CAR”) from on or about 26 October 2002 to 15 March 2003 (“2002-2003 CAR Operation”) by a contingent of Mouvement de Libération du Congo (“MLC”) troops. Mr Bemba was a person effectively acting as a military commander with effective authority and control over the forces that committed the crimes.  ICC Trial Chamber III is composed of Presiding Judge Sylvia Steiner (Brazil), Judge Joyce Aluoch (Kenya) and Judge Kuniko Ozaki (Japan). The parties (the Prosecution and the Defence) may appeal the decision of conviction within thirty days, in accordance with the Rome Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, in which case the matter will be put to the Appeals Chamber composed of five judges. Factual findings The Chamber found that Mr Bemba, a Congolese citizen, was the MLC President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armée de Libération du Congo (“ALC”), the organization’s figurehead, and source of its funding, goals, and aims. An MLC contingent of three battalions totalling around 1,500 men was deployed by Mr Bemba to CAR in 2002 at the request and in support of former CAR President Ange-Félix Patassé to counter forces loyal to former Chief of Staff of the Forces armées centrafricaines (“FACA”), General François Bozizé.  The Chamber concluded, based on the evidence before it, that the conflict in the Central African Republic from on or about 26 October 2002 to 15 March 2003 was an armed conflict between the Central African governmental authorities, supported by other forces, including the MLC, on the one hand, and the organized armed group of General Bozizé’s rebels, composed of various former FACA soldiers and some Chadian nationals, on the other. The Chamber also concluded that the MLC soldiers directed a widespread attack against the civilian population in the Central African Republic throughout the period of the charges. MLC soldiers committed many acts of pillaging, rape, and murder against civilians, over a large geographical area, including in and around Bangui, PK12, PK22, Bozoum, Damara, Sibut, Bossangoa, Bossembélé, Dékoa, Kaga Bandoro, Bossemptele, Boali, Yaloke, and Mongoumba. The Chamber found that acts of murder, rape, and pillaging were committed consistent with evidence of a modus operandi apparent from the earliest days and employed throughout the 2002-2003 CAR Operation: after General Bozizé’s rebels had departed an area, MLC soldiers searched “house-to-house” for remaining rebels, raping civilians, pillaging their belongings, and, on some occasions, killing those who resisted. Personal liability The Chamber concluded beyond reasonable doubt that Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo was a person effectively acting as a military commander (Article 28(a) of the ICC Rome Statute), who knew that the MLC forces under his effective authority and control were committing or about to commit the crimes charged. Additionally, he failed to take all necessary and reasonable measures to prevent or repress the commission of crimes by his subordinates during the 2002-2003 CAR Operation, or to submit the matter to the competent authorities.  Further, the Chamber found beyond reasonable doubt that the crimes against humanity of murder and rape, and the war crimes of murder, rape, and pillaging committed by the MLC forces in the course of the 2002-2003 CAR Operation were a result of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo’s failure to exercise control properly. Sentencing and victims’ reparations Trial Chamber III will decide on the procedure to be followed for sentencing, after hearing the parties and the Legal Representative of Victims. Issues related to the procedure for victims’ reparations will be addressed in due course. Background On 24 May 2008, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo was arrested by the Belgian authorities, pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by the Court, and was surrendered to the Court on 3 June 2008. On 15 June 2009, Pre-Trial Chamber II confirmed the charges against Mr Bemba. On 22 November 2010, the trial commenced with the parties and participants making their opening statements. T he presentation of evidence commenced on 23 November 2010. The Prosecution, the Defence, and the Legal Representative of Victims made their closing oral statements on 12 and 13 November 2014. The Chamber granted 5229 persons the status of victims authorised to participate in the proceedings. Throughout the proceedings, the Chamber issued 1219 written decisions, orders, notifications, and cooperation requests as well as 277 oral decisions and orders. The Chamber admitted a total of 733 items of evidence, including 5724 pages of documents. The Chamber sat for 330 working days and heard 77 witnesses, including 40 witnesses called by the Prosecution, 34 called by the Defence, 2 witnesses called by the Legal Representative of Victims and one witness called by the Chamber. The Chamber also permitted three victims to directly present their views and concerns.