International Criminal Court’s Conviction of Thomas Lubanga for Conscripting

 

Children ‘Important Step Forward’ in Ending Impunity, Says Secretary-General

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the first verdict issued by the International Criminal Court in the trial of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo.  Mr. Lubanga’s conviction for the war crimes of enlisting and conscripting children under the age of 15 is an important step forward in realising the international community’s commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of crimes against children in situations of armed conflict are brought to justice.

The Secretary-General emphasizes the need for the international community to continue with its efforts to put an end to impunity and recalls the importance of holding accountable those who commit genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. In this connection, he reaffirms the strong commitment of the United Nations to support the independent work of the Court as the centrepiece of the international criminal justice system.

The Secretary-General welcomes the continued cooperation between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the International Criminal Court, and urges the Congolese authorities to continue to strengthen their efforts to hold accountable all perpetrators of gross human rights violations.

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For information media • not an official record