Dont intimidate us, Jubilee leaders tells ICC judges

Kenyan · 2015-10-19T12:03:06+00:00

Jubilee members of Parliament yesterday accused the International Criminal Court of an attempt to lecture, intimidate and gag them. The MPs vowed to defy the warning by the president of the Trial Chamber, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, to refrain from their attacks against the court, particularly given that the case against Deputy President William Ruto is going on. An estimated 110 MPs, who met in Suswa in Narok County, issued a hard-hitting statement against the court, accusing it of seeking to stop them from pointing out its failures in its handling of the Ruto case. The Trial Chamber attempt to lecture, intimidate and gag Kenyans and their leaders in the mistaken hope that they will subdue them into silence is unfortunate, unlawful and a gross violation of the basic values of the Rome Statute and fundamental principles of international law, said the MPs, led by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale. They described the statement signed by Judge Eboe-Osuji as unwarranted and argued that it was issued without any form of provocation. Among those who spoke were Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki and Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen. We are shocked that this unwarranted lecture and attempted intimidation by the Chamber was orchestrated, prosecuted and determined by the Court without an application by any party as would be expected of any judicial institution of any standard, said the leaders. Put on notice On Friday, Judge Eboe-Osuji put on notice Jubilee MPs who have been attacking the court and warned that the ruling on the case will not be affected by their incessant attacks. The ICC, he said, should be left alone to make rulings based on the evidence presented in court. READ:Well not be bullied, Hague judges insist There has been unending stream of clamour in the Kenyan media about the proceedings in this case. This is an odd contact that has been observed even before the commencement of evidential hearing in the case indicating divided sentiments on either side of the case, said the judge, who also warned that the court would not be bullied by political statements to make favourable rulings. But the MPs, who were in a defiant mood yesterday, said the warning by the ICC judge raised questions about its independence and integrity. They wondered at whose behest the notice was issued and for whose benefit. This raises fundamental questions on the general independence and integrity of the court: on whose behalf, at whose behest, on whose motion and for what benefit was the Court acting in making this bizarre intervention? they asked. Referring to the Trial Chamber's decision to allow Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to use recanted evidence from hostile witnesses, they argued that a court that changes its rules midway through a trial cannot run away from criticism. They said that was why MPs have petitioned the Assembly of States Parties and the UN Security Council to audit the way the ICC has handled Kenyas cases. We will resist at all costs, by all means and at all times, any forms of dictatorship from any quarter, including the ICC, they said. Source: daily nation

Thread starter Kenyan
Start date Oct 19, 2015

Kenyan

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Dont intimidate us, Jubilee leaders tells ICC judges