Causecast

by SARAH NELSON, Contributing Writer

The International Criminal Court has launched its second trial and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is two for two with official charges. The Court is prosecuting two rebel leaders, Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo, who are being held accountable for the 2003 village massacre, which left more than two hundred people dead. The men were charged with three counts of crimes against humanity and seven war crimes including murder, rape, pillage, sexual slavery and the use of child soldiers in the slaughter. Both defendants, have pled not guilty to the charges.

Prosecutors say that on February 24, 2003, Katanga and Ngudjolo led groups of child soldiers and militiamen into the village of Bogoro in Congo’s Ituri province with the overriding goal to destroy the entire community. The soldiers spread through the village and used machetes to kill their victims. The women of the village were raped, killed or abducted as sex slaves. Prosecutors speculate that the overall intent of the attack was to completely wipe out the village.

Katanga and Ngundjolo maintain their innocence, however, 26 witnesses are saying otherwise. In addition to testifying witnesses, 345 victims are expected to take part in the trial, many of whom were child soldiers forced to carry out the attack.

The International Criminal Court was established in 2002 as an effort to "help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community." Essentially, the ICC seeks justice on behalf of the millions of innocent victims and holds criminals accountable when countries do not have the resources to do so themselves.

The trial against Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngujollo is only the second trial conducted by the ICC. The first trial was held earlier this year against a Congolese man, Thomas Lubanga, who was accused of recruiting and training child soldiers. In January of this year, the ICC heard evidence against the former Vice President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Pierre Bemba.

The ICC has filed charges against other suspected international criminals, but has yet to advance the prosecution. In 2005, the Court issued arrest warrants for five LRA leaders in Uganda, including Jospeh Kony, for their war crimes and crimes against humanity.

So far, the ICC has secured 110 member states, but has yet to secure the backing of some of the world’s most powerful nations, including the U.S. The U.S. was involved in the beginning stages of development for the ICC, but never ratified, and later recoiled during the initial conflict in Iraq. However, this month news surfaced that the U.S. would join the ICC as an observing member. Though we are not yet committed, the latest development is definitely a step in the right direction.

The ICC is working tirelessly to end the atrocities associated with war crimes, and they need your help. You can donate to the Victims Trust Fund or lend your innovative ideas to help affected communities rebuild.

Although this trial represents a step toward justice, the war in the DRC rages on. Show your support for Congo’s innocent victims. You can donate to UNICEF’s Democratic Republic of Congo Relief Fund. Check out organizations like Human Rights Watch, Women For Women and Falling Whistles to find out how you can be apart of their efforts in the Congo.

Photo by hdptcar, flickr.