Press releases
ICC conviction of former Congolese Vice-President of rape as war crime - 'historic' moment
“Not only is it the first time that the ICC has convicted someone for rape as a war crime, but it is also the first ICC conviction based on command responsibility.” – Samira Daoud
Amnesty International today described the unanimous guilty verdict presented by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against former Vice-President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Pierre Bemba as an “historic moment in the battle for justice” for victims of sexual violence in the Central African Republic and around the world.
Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa Deputy Director Samira Daoud said:
“Today’s guilty verdict is an historic moment in the battle for justice and accountability for victims of sexual violence in the Central African Republic and around the world.“Not only is it the first time that the ICC has convicted someone for rape as a war crime, but it is also the first ICC conviction based on command responsibility.“It sends a clear message that impunity for sexual violence as a tool of war will not be tolerated. It also makes clear that military commanders and political superiors must take all necessary steps to prevent their subordinates from committing such heinous acts and will be held accountable if they fail to do so.”