It’s a step to justice for victims, say lobbies

The appearance of the Ocampo Six before the International Criminal Court is a major step towards achieving accountability and justice for the post-election violence victims, lobby groups declared on Thursday.

More than 2,500 groups from 150 countries, however, asked The Hague-based court to increase its efforts in raising awareness in Kenya about its proceedings to avoid any misrepresentations.

“By addressing the post-election violence that saw terrible acts perpetrated in Kenya, the hearings constitute a step towards accountability and justice for victims,” said Mr William Pace, the convener of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court.

The coalition advocates improved access to justice for victims of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Added Mr Pace; “In appearing before the ICC, the suspects will be afforded all the rights under the Rome Statute, including the presumption of innocence and the right to fair and independent proceedings.”

The groups spoke on the day three of the six suspects made an initial appearance before the Pre-Trial Chamber for their alleged role in the 2007-2008 post-election violence.

They are Eldoret North MP William Ruto, his Tinderet counterpart Henry Kosgey and Kass FM journalist Joshua arap Sang.

The other three — head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Post Master-General Hussein Ali — are expected to appear on Friday.

They will be facing charges of murder, persecution and forcible evictions of civilians if their cases are confirmed.

The initial hearings were held to verify the identity of the suspects and to ensure that they have been informed of the crimes, which they are alleged to have committed as well as of their rights under the Rome Statute, the ICC’s governing treaty.

A confirmation of charges hearing is to follow the initial appearance of suspects before the ICC, to determine whether or not to send the cases against the six suspects to trial.

The hearing has been scheduled for September 1, this year. The government has, however, petitioned the court to have the two cases declared inadmissible.

It argues that the adoption of the new Constitution and associated legal reforms have opened the way for Kenya to conduct its own prosecutions for the post-election violence suspects.