Justice Update – Congo, Ukraine and Russia

Ukrainian deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal on the steps of the World Court, photo by David Morales

Janet and Stephanie catch up following the Ntaganda sentencing where the International Criminal Court handed down the highest sentence so far against the Congolese militia leader who was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison. That is the maximum number of years judges can impose. The court also knows a life sentence but that is reserved for crimes of “extreme gravity”, and the judges said that did not apply here.

In an earlier episode of the podcast we spoke with Barbora Hola about sentencing at international courts.

In another major ruling the International Court of Justice at the Peace Palace decided Friday November 8 that it did have jurisdiction to try the case of Ukraine versus Russia despite Moscow’s protests. We spoke about this case with Priya Pillai when talking about the new allure of the World Court.

For more background on how the ICJ case could influence cases related to the shooting down of MH17 plane, check out our chat with Marieke de Hoon who knows all about the different ways to get justice for MH17.