Special Criminal Court in CAR to issue first verdict on Monday
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) – The Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic (CAR) will issue its first verdict on Monday, an important step in justice efforts addressing atrocities committed in the country, Human Rights Watch said on Friday.
Issa Sallet Adoum, Ousman Yaouba, and Tahir Mahamat, alleged members of the “3R” rebel group, stood trial on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, accused of being responsible for atrocities committed in May 2019 in the villages of Koundjili and Lemouna, northwest Central African Republic.
“The people in the Central African Republic have long experienced brutal, widespread atrocities with impunity,” said Elise Keppler, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch. "The Special Criminal Court’s upcoming verdict in its first trial spotlights the importance of investing in justice efforts for victims of the crimes.”
Human Rights Watch said it documented the attacks by the 3R rebel group on civilians in the villages of Koundjili and Lemouna, and the town of Bohong in July 2019.
It said during the attacks people were tied up and executed. About 46 civilians were killed and the communities were pillaged. The attack came three months after the 3R group and 13 other armed groups signed a peace accord.
The Special Criminal Court (SCC), which became operational in 2018, is a novel court, staffed by both international and national judges and prosecutors.
It benefits from extensive assistance by the United Nations and international donors, including the US and the European Union. The court is based in the country’s capital, Bangui, and has authority to try grave crimes committed during successive armed conflicts in the Central African Republic since 2003. The court’s first trial began on 19 April, 2022.
The judges heard testimony from about three dozen witnesses. Most witnesses testified in person but in some cases where a witness was unable to travel to the court, their testimony was presented in writing, with the defendants given an opportunity to respond to it.
Approximately a half dozen witnesses testified in closed session given the sensitivity of their testimony related to sexual violence. Some victims joined the case as civil parties and were represented by lawyers, and some of these civil parties were also witnesses. After a recess, closing arguments took place in August.
Human Rights Watch says in a positive development, three other people suspected of offences have been arrested in the last month.
Firmin Junior Danboy and Vianney Semndiro, who have been army officers, are facing charges of alleged crimes against humanity committed in a military detention center in Bossembélé between 2009 and 2013. And a former Seleka general Abdel Kader Khalil is facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Human Rights Watch said all efforts should be made to ensure that all fugitives are in the dock. This follows the surprise release of a sitting minister, Hassan Bouba, by local police in November 2021 after his SCC arrest. Bouba remains at liberty.
“The Special Criminal Court is a novel effort to deliver much lauded, but rarely delivered, accountability for atrocities in the national courts in the country where the crimes were committed,” Keppler said. “The court’s ability to prosecute cases, protect witnesses, arrest suspects, and work in coordination with the ICC should be closely watched and strongly supported to promote justice for victims in the Central African Republic and elsewhere where such courts may be useful.”
-0- PANA MA 28Oct2022
