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The
Hague, 5 February 2008
ICC-OTP-20080205-MA07-ENG
Translation:
Sango
On February 7, International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor
Luis Moreno-Ocampo will travel to the Central African Republic
(CAR) where he opened an investigation into allegations of
massive crimes.
While in Bangui the
Prosecutor will meet with victims, representatives of civil
society and local population. He will participate in a public
dialogue, to be widely broadcast through radio Interactive Radio
for Justice. He will answer questions and discuss with people
throughout CAR the significance of ICC for them.
The Prosecutor will also meet
senior government officials. He will visit the ICC local field
office, which opened in October 2007.
The Office of the Prosecutor
announced the opening of the investigation in CAR on 22 May
2007. It focuses on crimes which were mainly committed during
the violence of 2002–2003. The particularly high number of
allegations of rape and other acts of sexual violence is one of
the main features of the investigation.
“Hundreds of terrified women
have been subjected to the ordeal of sexual violence” said the
Prosecutor. “We hear of gang rapes, horrific sexual acts being
inflicted on women, young girls, the elderly, in some cases on
men. Perpetrators of acts of massive sexual violence, in CAR
and elsewhere, must know that they will be held accountable:
such acts are serious crimes falling under ICC jurisdiction and
they will be prosecuted.”
The Office is also monitoring
acts of violence committed since 2005 in the northern part of
the country. The Prosecutor will address national accountability
efforts with the CAR authorities. He will urge international
support for all efforts to end impunity.
“The people of Central
African Republic need to know the world has not forgotten them”
the Prosecutor said. “Our investigative activities in CAR can
bring to the attention of the international community the
terrible problems facing the people here and the need to address
them urgently. We need comprehensive solutions for CAR and the
support of all. International justice is a central part of the
solution“.
The International Criminal
Court is an independent, permanent court that investigates and
prosecutes persons accused of the most serious crimes of
international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity
and war crimes |
