NETHERLANDS: Democratic Republic of Congo war crimes suspect appears in The Hague

An ICC hearing in The Hague has failed to decide on a date for the trial of DRC war crimes suspect Thomas Lubanga Dyilo to begin. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, the founder and leader of the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC), appeared in The Hague on Tuesday (September 4) for a 'status conference' designed to set a date for his trial in the International Criminal Court (ICC). Lubanga faces charges of conscripting children to fight as guerrilla soldiers. During the pre-trial hearing a trial date could not be agreed upon, Lubanga's new defence team successfully arguing that it needs more time to prepare its case. Lubanga stands accused of recruiting children as young as 10 to fight during the UPC's occupation of the eastern Congolese town of Bunia between August 2002 and March 2003. Prosecuting counsel Ekkehard Withopf called for witnesses to be offered protection. He said: "The very nature of the case against Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, namely recruitment and use of children under 15 years in the hostilities, the very nature of this case indicates that the office of the prosecutor will have to rely upon witnesses which are particularly vulnerable, and the law requires that all the participants in the proceedings take enhanced care, be provided with an enhanced care." The trial is expected to start some time this winter or in spring 2008. Judge Fulford announced that the next status conference would be scheduled for October 10. To date, Lubanga's indictment is the only the ICC has issued in the DRC.

ITN Source | September 5, 2007

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