AFRICA: ICC up for ‘legal debate’ with AU over Uhuru, Ruto trial

By NMG.

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has said she is ready for a legal debate with the African Union over the cases facing Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.

Ms Bensouda Thursday denied the AU’s assertions that the court has been targeting only African leaders.

She maintained that justice to millions of victims of crimes against humanity would only be achieved through judicial channels and not by “political bodies”.

“This is a judicial process, the outcome of which is independently decided by judges. The Office of the Prosecutor stands ready to engage in any legal debate regarding its on-going cases in Kenya,” she said.

The Prosecutor said her office was ready to work with the AU to end the suffering of millions of victims of atrocious crimes around the world.

“The only way for justice to take its course is through judicial channels,” she noted saying critics of the court were defending perpetrators of war crimes.

The court’s president, Mr Sang-Hyun Song, also said it’s decisions were taken independently and not on regional considerations.

Regarding the discussions at last week’s AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr Song said the court worked strictly within the mandate and legal framework created by the Rome Statute and could not take political factors into account.

He emphasised that the court’s relationship with Africa was important since 34 African countries signed the Rome Statute.

During the summit last Sunday, African presidents supported a call to drop crimes against humanity charges facing President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto.

They want any legal action to be handled within the Kenyan court system.

Source: http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/ICC-up-for--legal-debate--over-Uhuru--Ruto-trial/-/1840340/1868650/-/wrsxkbz/-/index.html