ICC not committed to investigate Kasese killings, says Registrar
ICC Registrar Herman Von Hebel (left) addresses the media at hotel Africana in Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
KAMPALA-The International Criminal Court (ICC) is yet to heed the Opposition call to investigate the recent killings at King Wesley Mumbere’s palace in Kasese that saw more than 100 people including police and royal guards gunned down.
The registrar of the ICC, Mr Herman Von Hebel while addressing journalists in Kampala ahead of the opening of the trial of former Lord Resistance Army (LRA) commander of Sinia Brigade, Mr Dominic Ongwen in the Hague, Netherlands today said: “Yes I have read in the newspapers about the Kasese killings but it’s the office of the prosecutor to commence investigations.” “I am not in prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s shoes to know whether she will pick interest and investigate these Kasese killings or not,” he added.
Following the massive killings at King Mumbere’s palace and his eventual arrest and charging in court, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Ms Winfred Kizza, called upon the international Criminal Court to investigate the matter.
In updating Daily Monitor about their intended petition to the ICC yesterday, Ms Kizza revealed that they were finalising with the writing and that since the ICC registrar is in the country, they will hand it to him for possible investigation.
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Warned Brig Kasirye Ggwanga also warned that Brig Peter Elwelu, the commander of the deadly operation, will one day be tried for the killings.
“Thank God that the ICC registrar is in the country. We are going to look for him and hand him the petition if it’s okay for us to petition the International Court in that manner.” Ms Kizza told this news reporter in a brief telephone interview.
Likewise, Democratic Party president Norbert Mao had last week also called for an international inquiry into the Kasese massacre saying: “We need an international and independent Commission of Inquiry to be constituted because this is going to involve people across borders. ”
The ICC is the last resort court that tries suspects accused of committing serious and grave crimes like genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
