International Criminal Court to allow video hearing of cases

THE HAGUE: The International Criminal Court member states have agreed to let defendants ask to appear by video-conference in a concession to a Kenyan campaign against the trial of their leaders.

The 122 ICC states also eased other conditions for key political figures facing charges amid mounting pressure from African countries over trials involving the continent’s leaders.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto have pressed the ICC and the UN Security Council to suspend their trials for crimes against humanity over violence after a 2007 election. The changes by the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties was welcomed by the United States, but criticised by rights groups for allowing special cases.

A motion passed by the assembly said an accused can request “to be allowed to be present through the use of video technology during part or parts of his or her trial”.

The assembly also gave the ICC greater leeway to excuse an accused from part of a hearing if the defendant is “mandated to fulfill extraordinary public duties”.

The changes were proposed by key ICC members after talks with Kenya and other African nations. Both were seen as a concession over the Kenyatta and Ruto cases after the Security Council’s refusal to suspend their trials.

SATURDAY MONITOR UGANDA