UGANDA- Yesterday, 17th of July, the Registrar of the International Criminal Court, Mr Herman Von Hebel, in collaboration with H.E. Ambassador of Denmark to Uganda, Mr Mogens Pedersen, launched an “Access to Justice” project in Kampala, Uganda. According to a press release from International Criminal Court (ICC), this project aims “at facilitating the ICC’s continuous efforts to respond to the information demands of the communities affected by the conflict in northern Uganda.”
It is reported according to information gathered that the Project is funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) through a grant of 210,000 euros, which is hoped to “enhance the capacity of the local population in Northern Uganda, where the crimes were allegedly committed, to follow the proceedings against Dominic Ongwen in the trial currently ongoing in The Hague.”
In addition, the project will also “strengthen capacity of the religious and cultural leaders to further engage the members of their respective communities on issues related to the Court.”
At the launch, the ICC Registrar, Mr Von Hebel noted that the project is in response to the need for Court to deliver justice and be accountable before the public.
“This Project that we are inaugurating comes as a response to an enormous amount of interests that the victims and affected communities, as well as the other stakeholders, have shown in following the proceedings of the Dominic Ongwen trial .
“It is our purpose, to transform these local interests into popular participation and ownership of the processes, and to strengthen local confidence in the Court’s work and in justice and accountability in general.
“It is our profound confidence, that this project will help us to bring the ICC courtrooms to every single member of the affected community.”
Also commenting on the development, H.E. Ambassador Mogens Pedersen disclosed that their support to the project is to register their position in promoting justice and work to see this come to play.
“Our support to the ICC project that we are signing today on this day when we also commemorate the International Day of Justice, is in our opinion of bringing justice closer to the people who have suffered violence for more than two decades and want to see justice done and those responsible for the atrocities held accountable.
“We are optimistic that the activities that will be implemented by the ICC under this project will make international justice more accessible and relevant to the communities in northern Uganda who have been affected by the war.”
It is afterwhich reported in the release that “under this project, the ICC Field Office in Kampala will provide video screening equipment at 23 locations where Dominic Ongwen is alleged to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In addition, ICC will “create and maintain interactive radio programs and listening clubs through which the affected population could follow and discuss the trial.” This project will also “facilitate travels for cultural and religious leaders as well as journalists to attend trial proceedings at the seat of the Court in the Hague and will facilitate sharing those leaders’ experiences related to the trial proceedings with affected communities.”
Correspondent: Ridwan A. Olayiwola
