SUPPORT VICTIMS' LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES: CSO STATEMENT TO THE ICC

A cross-section of CSOs in Uganda have petitioned the ICC to support to victims' legal representatives in the trial of the ICC Prosecutor Vs Dominic Ongwen. On 23 march 2016, the Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed 70 charges brought by the ICC Prosecutor against Dominic Ongwen and committed him to trial before a Trial Chamber. Prior to its decision confirming charges against Dominic Ongwen, the ICC recognized the right of victims to appoint their own legal representative BUT in the same breath denied the victims’ chosen legal representatives access to the Court’s legal aid. For legal representation to be both effective and meaningful, legal representatives and their teams have to dedicate a substantial amount of time particularly in cases such as that involving DOMINIC ONGWEN which has numerous participating victims and voluminous evidence. If legal representatives are required to carry out their victims’ related work pro bono and earn a living from other legal work, this may impact on the time they are able to devote to the representation of victims. This statement therefore calls upon the ICC to go beyond recognition and provide legal aid as well. The statement can be accessed HERE or at:https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8mSmNvPrstMQWUtSW0zQnczc28/view?usp=sharing