New programs on IRfJ in december

07 décembre 2008 Filed in: Radio Programs | News

Interactive Radio for Justice is a project designed to create a reliable and interactive dialog between communities targeted by ICC investigations and the responsible justice authorities, which fosters not only mutual understanding and respect but also a consciousness of rule of law and personal and public responsibility. We believe that this consciousness 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.

Please find below an update on activity for the Interactive Radio for Justice project:

New IRfJ Programming in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo:

The following programs have been produced in French, Swahili and Lingala and broadcast on community radio throughout the Ituri region of the DRC. The French versions of these programs are posted on www.irfj.org with English transcripts.

The 46th program in the IRfJ series features a range of national and international justice questions posed by citizens in Bunia, Lipaui and Mahagi, DRC. In this program ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo responds to questions concerning the arrest of Joseph Kony, who is now based in the DRC; the start of ICC investigations in the Kivus region of the DRC; and the commencement of the trial against Thomas Lubanga.

The 47th program in the IRfJ series features questions recorded in the towns of Bunia and Aru. Again, people are interested in how the rule of law functions under both national and international jurisdiction: “Why is it so important to register one’s child with the Records Office?”; “Are the sources of evidence for the Katanga/N’gudjolo case the same that the Prosecutor is using in the case against Thomas Lubanga?”; “Is it normal that the judicial police require us to pay fines of $100? What is the maximum amount that they can fine us?” and “What progress has been made in the case against Germaine Katanga and Mathieu N’gudjolo since the President of the ICC has sent it to a trial chamber?”

The 21st program in the A Child: Yesterday in the Bush Today Part of the Community series features for the first time two former child soldiers, each from an opposing militia group, who agree to discuss their experience together for the program. ‘Bush’, as he was called as a soldier, served with the armed group PUSIC, or Partie pour l'unité et la sauvegarde de l'intégrité du Congo, and Mathieu fought with the FNI, or Front nationaliste et intégrationniste. Today both young men have returned to their families and live peacefully in the same community. Indeed, they confirm in this program that they now regard each other as good friends.

In the Press:

Interactive Radio for Justice is featured on Radio Netherlands in a program called ‘Interactive Radio for Justice’ which was broadcast on 6 December. You can listen to it through the following link: http://www.rnw.nl/internationaljustice/icc/DRC/081205-radio-justice, or by clicking on the ‘Press’ page on www.irfj.org:

Thank you for your continued interest and support for IRfJ, your comments and ideas are always welcome, which you can send me directly or post on the ‘Blog’ page of our website. On behalf of the IRfJ team I wish you a joyous winter holiday season and a happy New Year. May the year 2009 bring us more peace and more justice!