“The social and cultural fabric of Northern Uganda has been torn apart and it is still struggling to rebuild itself.”
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday confirmed war crimes and crimes against humanity charges against Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony, who remains at large.
A three-judge panel said there were “substantial grounds” to believe Kony is responsible for 29 counts, including murder, sexual enslavement, and rape, while leading the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which terrorized northern Uganda.
“The social and cultural fabric of Northern Uganda has been torn apart and it is still struggling to rebuild itself,” deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said.
It marked the first in absentia hearing at the ICC. For the trial to proceed, Kony must be in custody.
Kony’s counsel argued that the hearing violated his fair trial rights. “The empty chair impacted the preparation of the defense,” lawyer Peter Haynes said.
The case is seen as a test for the ICC, which faces challenges prosecuting leaders such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin.