IANSA applauds the arrest of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, leader of the armed rebel group L’Union des Patriotes Congolese (UPC) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This is the first arrest for the International Criminal Court (ICC). Lubanga appeared before the ICC in the Hague on 20 March 2006. Click here to read the press release of the Coalition for an ICC.
Lubanga is alleged to have been involved in the commission of war crimes including conscripting child soldiers under the age of 15. The UPC has also been involved in massacres to control gold mines, according to Human Rights Watch. The full charges against Lubanga will be confirmed on 27 June. |
Thomas Lubanga (front), head of the UPC © 2003 Khanh Renau (via Human Rights Watch) |
Lubanga has been involved in large-scale deliveries of arms from Rwanda to the DRC in violation of UN arms embargoes, according to Amnesty International. Despite these measures, however, arms continue to reach the DRC, where an estimated 1,000 people die each day.
IANSA encourages the ICC to thoroughly investigate Lubanga’s involvement in the illegal supply of arms, and end the impunity for those who violate UN arms embargoes.
Charles Nasibu, an IANSA member from the DRC, gave a presentation to the UN Security Council on 16 March, calling for stronger implementation of the arms embargo on the DRC. Click here to read more.
Lisez le communiqué de presse du Projet Gram-Kivu sur l’arrestation de Thomas Lubanga Dyilo |
