By: Marie LeRoy
Impunity Watch News Staff Writer
Strasbourg, FRANCE – The International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber confirmed the Trial Chambers conviction of Dominic Ongwen for all 61 war crimes and crimes against humanity charged. The crimes confirmed included crimes such as murder, torture, “outrages upon personal dignity,” “sexual and gender-based crimes,” and the subjugation of children to hostilities. Mr. Ongwen was sentenced to twenty-five years of imprisonment.
curtesy of the International Criminal Court.
Ongwen’s confirmed crimes were committed in Northern Uganda between July 2002 and December 2005 during the time that Ongwen was a member, and Brigade Commander, of the Lord Resistance Army (LRA). The LRA rebelled against the government of Uganda and believed that anyone associated with the government of Uganda was their enemy. The LRA perceived the citizens of Northern Uganda, particularly the citizens living within “Internally Displaced Persons” camps, to be their enemy and, therefore, targeted them.
In confirming the Trial Chambers conviction, the ICC rejected the Defenses’ ninety grounds of appeal that were raised regarding the conviction and the additional eleven grounds of appeal that were raised regarding the sentencing. These attempted appeals included grounds for excluding criminal responsibility by way of mental disease or duress, violations to Ongwen’s right to fair trial, and challenges to the findings for Ongwen’s individual liability for crimes committed as an “indirect perpetrator” and as an “indirect co-perpetrator.”
This final confirmation at last ends the near decade long matter against Ongwen, liberating the 4,095 victims allowed to participate in this case and the innumerable more who have been touched by Ongwen’s crimes against humanity.
Reparations to victims are still being determined.
For further information, please see:
ICC – Case Information Sheet – The Prosecutor v. Dominic Ongwen – Dec. 2022
ICC — Ongwen Case – The Prosecutor v. Dominic Ongwen
ICC – Order for Submissions of Reparations – The Prosecutor v. Dominic Ongwen – 6 May 2021
ICC – Press Release – Ongwen Case – 15 Dec. 2022
