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Ocampo: ICC has strong case in Kenya chaos
ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo addresses a press conference at Windsor Golf Club in Nairobi on November 7, 2009. He said Kenya has a strong case against suspects of the post election violence. Photo/STEPHEN MUDIARI.
In Summary
- ICC prosecutor vows to end impunity for most serious crimes.
- Mr Ocampo says Pre-Trial Chamber already constituted.
The International Criminal Court Prosecutor has said he has a strong case against Kenya’s post election violence suspects.
"I think I have a strong case because the Waki commission is a very good report, it's full of information and there are other reports; the UN report, different other human rights groups reports, I believe I have a very strong case," said Mr Luis Moreno Ocampo at a news conference at the Windsor Golf and Country Club, Nairobi on Saturday.
He also said he was confident of getting The Hague backing to open investigations into the violence and if it does so "the Prosecutor will ensure that the investigation proceeds expeditiously," adding that the Pre-Trial Chamber was constituted on Saturday, just a day after he announced his intention.
He said that he already has in place a team of investigators, including lawyers and international cooperation advisers.
But he added that while he will consider the Waki Report, he was not bound to it as he "has a duty to conduct an impartial investigation; this is why the names suggested by the Waki Commission are not binding to him."
Mr Ocampo said he will "prosecute those who bear the greatest responsibility for the most serious crimes."
He also vowed to end impunity.
“My mandate is to end impunity for the most serious crimes. I will do that.”
He said that doing so will allay Kenyans fears of a repeat of violence in the 2012 elections since “everyone is worried about the next election in Kenya.”
The Prosecutor said that once the judges give him the go ahead to open the probe he will visit Kenya to meet the victims as a way of building his case on crimes against humanity, the “widespread and systematic attack on the civilian population.”
He said he will build his case based on between 25- 30 witnesses adding that the investigations may take at least six months.
"As soon as the Judges authorise the investigation, the Prosecutor will return to Kenya to visit the sites where crimes were committed and to meet with the victims.
"In accordance with the Rome Statute, the victims of the crimes have a role during the proceedings. They can present their views and concerns and they can request reparations."
The ICC Prosecutor said should he get authorisation to start a probe he will be presenting a few cases.
"The Prosecutor will present in Court a limited number of cases, 2or 3, against those persons considered the most responsible. Only some of the gravest incidents will be presented at trial," said Mr Ocampo.
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Reality has now dawned on those who thought that these murders were committed by just one community. Now they are trying to force everyone to think Kenyan. Bloggers and reporters from one section of the country kept on calling one community as murderers forgetting that their own were also in the thick of things too. It's about time PNU and ODM paid their dues to society. And even if Ocampo doesn't get these goons they will be marked men just like Pollack who is awaiting extradition to the US after being on the run for twenty years.
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Nation readers,Ocampo was unwinding when he visited our famous wildlife.Thats means breaking the ice for them to relax so as the PEV will not have hard times answering or defending themselves in Hague.So nation readers again wait and relax for Mr.Ocampo to do what all kenyans think is imposible and tedious.
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Why too much hype about kenya? Crimes against humanities are being committed every day.In Iraq,pakistan and Afghanistan hardly a day passes by without roadside bombs killing and maiming many.The US DRONES are killing innocent people in Afghaniatan, pakistan and somalia every too often.How about Russia's invasion of Georgia? how many were killed? Did i mention Nigeria where there have been religious and ethnic violence resulting in many deaths? Our leaders need to man up and tell the likes of Annan that we will take care of ourselves.We know better whats ailing Kenya.
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