{UAH} Turbulent year for the ICC

Academic rigour, journalistic flair

Editor's note The International Criminal Court came under the spotlight several times this year. In this special newsletter we look at some of the big events. Kerstin Carlson unpacks why the conviction of Congolese warlord Bosco Ntaganda, found guilty of war crimes, torture, and sexual slavery, marked a significant victory for the ICC. But, as she explained, the decision to acquit former Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo showed there was a need to look at how international criminal law fails its promise to hold leaders accountable. She also looked at the court's ongoing battle to bring Sudan's deposed president Omar al-Bashir to book, also the subject of analysis from Mattia Cacciatori. The court is meant to be a court of last resort which ensures justice for victims and ends impunity. But it's not living up to these promises, argued Luke Moffett. In a different twist, Marco Bocchese explained how African leaders seeking the involvement of the court have done so for far from altruistic reasons. And Yvonne McDermott argued that acquittals should be seen as a vindication of the ICC as an independent and impartial judicial institution. Julius Maina Regional Editor East Africa Turbulent year for the ICC Congolese Bosco Ntaganda in the courtroom during the closing statements of his trial in The Hague. EPA-EFE/Bas Czerwinski Why the Ntaganda judgment shows that the ICC has found its footing Kerstin Carlson, University of Southern Denmark Ntaganda's conviction represents real progress, and an actual significant victory, for the ICC. Gbagbo's acquittal suggests confusion and dysfunction at the ICC Kerstin Carlson, University of Southern Denmark Acquittal bolsters an increasingly urgent conversation about how international criminal law is failing in its promise to hold leaders accountable Al-Bashir and the ICC: is it worth getting your man, if you jeopardise your mission? Kerstin Carlson, University of Southern Denmark Cooperation with the Sudanese government to try al-Bashir could amount to legitimising those who themselves have been implicated in genocide Al-Bashir: why the ICC is between a rock and a hard place Mattia Cacciatori, University of Bath The fact that al-Bashir has been deposed will again raise questions about the former Sudanese president facing trial at the ICC. Why Gbagbo acquittal is a bigger blow for the ICC than the Bemba decision Luke Moffett, Queen's University Belfast The ICC is meant to be a Court of last resort, to ensure justice for victims and to end impunity. It's not living up to these promises. Flirting with fire: African leaders and international law Marco Bocchese, University of Illinois at Chicago African leaders who have sought ICC involvement have all seen the court as being beneficial to the survival of their governments. Gbagbo's acquittal isn't bad for the ICC. But problems around evidence remain Yvonne McDermott, Swansea University The recent acquittals should be seen as a vindication of the ICC as an independent and impartial judicial institution.

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"Even a small dog can piss on a tall building", Jim Hightower

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