Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Please find below descriptions of IRfJ programs produced during June and July. French versions of these programs are posted on this website with English transcripts. We are currently renovating our website so please tell us what you think! It’s a work in progress but most of the big additions should be in place by the end of August. I know that Sebastien, our webmaster, appreciates your feedback so if you have ideas or comments on the changes please write!
The 6th program in the On the Track of Justice Series features interviews with Counsels Catherine Mabille and Marc Desalliers, defense lawyers for Thomas Lubanga, and ICC Deputy Prosecutor Fatu Bensouda. The lawyers introduce themselves to our Ituri audience and discuss their roles in, and the significance of, the first trial being held at the ICC.
The 53rd program in the IRfJ base series features questions from the villages of Iga Barriere and Katoni: How does land law apply to the Catholic Church? They hold an enormous concession and fail to make use of it. What is happening with the Thomas Lubanga trial? When will the judgment be rendered? With the case against Bosco Ntaganda, doesn’t the ICC see that the DRC government could halt cooperation on warrants against politically influential people?
The 54th program in the IRfJ base series addresses questions from the villages of Central Solenyama and Mwanga: Why do police demand to see our baptism certificates and make us pay if we don’t have them when we go to the central market? What solutions do authorities propose to end the armed robberies which have become so frequent? Is it possible to pay bail for the release of Thomas Lubanga, held at the ICC? Can the ICC revise its statute to take into account the crimes that triggered the conflict in Ituri, which date back to 1996?
The 55th program in the IRfJ base series includes questions that our listeners have posed to the Defence team for Thomas Lubanga: It seems that the Prosecutor speaks more than the Defence in the trial at the ICC. Will there be a moment where the Defence team will speak out to present the case of Thomas Lubanga? Will Lubanga be able to speak on his own behalf during this trial?
The above programming was produced in French, Swahili and Lingala and broadcast on community radio throughout the Ituri district, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Also new on www.irfj.org, under ‘events’, is a description, a short audio clip and photos taken at the public meeting which we held in Bunia on 11 July. ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo and Catherine Mabille, Chief Counsel for Thomas Lubanga, answered questions from our audience for two and a half hours. Approximately 500 people filled a hall and seats under a tent outside of the hall to listen to these two authorities respond to their questions. The discussion was recorded and we have produced two programs from the event for broadcast in Ituri throughout August and September. French versions of these programs will be posted with English transcripts on the website next month.
Interactive Radio for Justice creates reliable and interactive dialog between communities targeted by ICC investigations and the responsible justice authorities, at both local and international levels. This dialogue, which starts with questions directly from citizens in these targeted communities, fosters mutual understanding and a consciousness of rule of law and personal and public responsibility. We believe that this is essential for international justice to have a significant impact where the most serious crimes against humanity are taking place, and that this consciousness is essential for sustainable peace in these regions.
Thank you for your continued interest and support for IRfJ, your comments and ideas are always welcome!
Sincerely,
Wanda E Hall
Director and Founder
Interactive Radio for Justice
www.irfj.org