ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan’s recent three-day visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo signals a renewed push for international justice amidst escalating violence in the country’s east.
The visit focused on reactivating investigations into recent crimes and exploring the establishment of a special criminal court to address historical atrocities.
Khan concluded his official visit to Kinshasa on February 26th, marking a significant step in strengthening judicial cooperation between the DRC and the ICC in the fight against impunity for serious crimes, particularly in the conflict-ridden eastern region.
During his stay, Khan held discussions with President Felix Tshisekedi and other Congolese officials, focusing on ongoing investigations into human rights violations in North Kivu. They also discussed the potential creation of a special criminal court to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly those documented in the UN Mapping Report covering the period between 1993 and 2003.
Khan reaffirmed the ICC’s commitment to the DRC by announcing the reactivation of investigations into crimes committed since January 2022, following a request from Congolese authorities in May 2023. This decision addresses growing concerns about violence perpetrated by armed groups in North and South Kivu provinces.
The proposal for a special court to prosecute crimes committed before 2002, which was raised at the 9th ICC Focal Points Seminar in September 2024, was also a key topic of discussion. This mechanism is seen as vital for addressing crimes that occurred before the ICC’s jurisdiction.
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