I was informed of these crimes, but I plead not guilty. …I was a soldier in the Congo.Alleged Congolese warlord Bosco Ntaganda • Denying the horrific war crimes charges he faces, at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Ntaganda has been wanted for nearly two decades, considered one of the most brutal rebellion commanders of the Democratic Republic of Congo — nicknamed “The Terminator,” no less. Ntaganda clearly sought to downplay that reputation, presenting himself as a mere “soldier” when questioned by the judge, but the charges against him and arguments of his prosecution run much deeper than that — he stands charged with murder, rape, sex slavery, and the use of child soldiers. source
Not to go to the UN would be suicidal for the Palestinian Authority. All these people [in Gaza] took the brunt of the attack and now we should chicken out because they [the US and Israel] will cut off some money? What we’re doing is not violent; it’s not military; it’s not illegal. The world should see that if they keep maintaining the status quo, it will get you nothing but more bloodshed. That’s the lesson from Gaza.Senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath - Assuring the Guardian’s Chris McGreal that Palestinians’ resolve to seek recognition of statehood from the United Nations would be broken by monetary threats. Several countries, most notably the US and UK, have been pressuring the Palestinian Authority to make various concessions ahead of its next attempt to gain international recognition on November 29. Much of the concern allegedly stems from the Israeli’s government’s fear that it will be dragged before the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges related to the Gaza offensive that took place four years ago. source
Taylor was found guilty of aiding Sierra Leone rebels: Charles Taylor, a longtime Liberian leader who resigned in 2003 under heavy international pressure, was convicted by an international court Thursday of helping aid rebel fighters in Sierra Leone, providing them with weaponry and moral support in exchange for “blood diamonds.” While Taylor himself was not responsible for committing war crimes himself, his actions led to war crimes happening. ”The accused knew of atrocities being perpetrated against civlisans in Sierre Leone and of propensity to commit crimes,” said Judge Richard Lussick. “Notwithstanding such knowledge, the accused continued to provide support to the RUF during the period crimes were committed.” Taylor is the first African leader to be convicted in a war crimes trial. (Photo by Peter DeJong/AFP/Getty Images)
The International Criminal Court again rejected Wednesday attempts by Libya to delay handing over one of former dictator Moammar Gadhafi’s sons, who is wanted for trial.
Judges unanimously dismissed Libya’s latest appeal against the court’s order to surrender Seif al-Islam Gadhafi for trial on charges of murdering and persecuting civilians in the early days of the uprising that toppled his father’s regime last year.
Seif al-Islam was captured by rebels last year and is being held in the western town of Zintan.
Libyan authorities are resisting surrendering him, saying they want to put him on trial at home.
Libya: Gaddafi’s got a warrant out for his arrest. Uh-oh: The International Criminal Court issued the warrant, along with another one for his son Saif al-Islam and another for intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi, over crimes against humanity. source
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