Here are more articles and reports on the ICC Prosecutor's visit in Kenya, Fatou Bensouda.
I really hop the visit of the new Prosecutor will improve the conditions for the coming trial on the 2007-08 postelectoral violence in Kenya.
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First, the BBC World News' TV report in Kenya:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20112575
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On Kenya media, The Star reports
http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-93017/anxiety-bensouda-visits-pev-hotspots
Kenyan newspaper the Daily nation's interrogations on the hearing of Internally displaced people, IDPs:
http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Letters/-/440806/1605466/-/cha8tl/-/index.html
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And finally here is the ICC statement in its entire version:
Statement:
25 October 2012
Kenya, Nairobi
Statement by the
Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
Mrs. Fatou Bensouda at the press conference at the
conclusion of Nairobi segment of ICC
Prosecutor’s visit to Kenya,
Nairobi
Good
afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,
It
is a pleasure to see many of you here again on this last day of the Nairobi segment of my visit to Kenya.
First
of all, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the people and Government of
Kenya and in particular President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga for the
warm welcome, and the traditional Kenyan hospitality extended to me and my
delegation for this visit. I am especially grateful for the support of the
Kenyan Government for the organisation of the complex logistics and security
arrangements of this visit - not my first to Kenya, but my first as ICC
Prosecutor.
On
Tuesday, I met with President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga at the Office
of the President. It was a fruitful and constructive exchange of views. I
conveyed my Office's concerns regarding delays in the Government's response
to a number of OTP requests related to our investigations. They assured me of
their willingness to ensure timely and effective execution of the pending
requests and instructed the Attorney-General and the Cabinet Sub-Committee to
facilitate expeditious responses to my Office's requests.
My
meeting with the President and Prime Minister was followed by a meeting with
the Cabinet Sub-Committee which was also attended by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Attorney-General and other
officials. The meeting focussed on the specific requests, the dates they were
submitted and the nature of the information requested.
In
both meetings with President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga as well as with
the Cabinet Sub-Committee, I stressed that time is of the essence given that
our final list of evidence is due on 9 January 2013. The submission of this
evidence is essential for giving the Defence a fair trial. I expressed my
strong desire to receive all the requested information by the end of November
2012 to enable me to comply with my obligations to the Defence. I was assured
by the Committee that they will take appropriate steps to ensure that I am
provided with the information without delays.
I
also reiterated my concerns regarding witness intimidation and the increasing
climate of fear affecting those perceived to be ICC witnesses, their family
members, as well as those perceived to be associated with the ICC. We agreed
that witness intimidation is unacceptable and that both the Court and the
Government of Kenya have a responsibility to investigate and punish anyone
who intimidates or tampers with witnesses.
Yesterday,
I met with the Chief Justice and exchanged views on issues of mutual
interest. Additionally, I met with members of civil society, and also
briefed the diplomatic community in Kenya on developments in my
Office ‘s work.
This
morning, I went to Nakuru, in order to meet with victims of the 2007-2008
post-election violence. This trip to Nakuru was an expression of my desire to
listen to and interact with victims.
My
programme tomorrow includes visiting Kiambaa Church
and its environs, continuing my exchange with victims, and meeting with other
members of the public. My visit to Eldoret is primarily about public
information on the ICC process and my role as Prosecutor. I hope that by
listening to and directly exchanging views with victims groups and the
public, albeit a very small representative sample, to gain a better idea of
what all victims still need to know or understand about the ICC process, the
work of my Office, or the next steps. Of course I cannot meet with all
victims throughout Kenya,
nor listen to everyone affected by the PEV. I wish I could. But to those I
shall meet and to all those whom I cannot, I say this:
In
the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to meet and listen to
many - too many - victims of massive crimes. Invariably, I am touched and
humbled by the dignity and courage of those who have lost and suffered so
terribly. The start point and end point of this entire ICC process in Kenya remains
the PEV victims and the justice they deserve.
When
we speak of courage, I want to speak also of the special kind of moral
courage shown by our witnesses. Caring for witnesses and ensuring their well
being is a key priority for me. It takes an exceptionally moral breed of
person to stand up and speak. The challenges we face together with witnesses
and the sacrifices they make for the sake of truth and justice are
exemplary. To these Kenyans, who are prepared to come forward, and to
protect the truth no matter what, and to all other witnesses who have come
forward, and continue to come forward, I want to say, thank you. To others
who may harbour doubts, I say be courageous and follow the examples of your
brothers and sisters who are helping ICC to expose the truth.
You
have heard my Office many times putting on notice anyone who attempts to
bribe, threaten or intimidate OTP witnesses. It is a serious crime by those
who aim to prevent not just the Court, but Kenyans, from knowing the truth.
Those who attempt to pervert justice by instilling fear or paying off
witnesses to stay quiet, you are criminals. We will not hesitate to
investigate and prosecute you. This is not an empty warning.
Lastly,
I want to say this. I am prepared to say it again and again, lest there be
any mistake. No matter what anyone else may say, whoever they are. We are
impartial. We are objective. We are independent. We are not biased against
anyone. We are not biased against Kalenjin or Kikuyu, not against Kisii or
Luo, Maasai or any Kenyan tribe. This is not a case about political
responsibility. It is not a case of targeting certain communities. It is
about individual criminal responsibility.
Together
with Kenyans we are pursuing justice, for the sake of all the PEV victims
from all affected regions and from all Kenyan tribes. We will continue to do
our work, in strict conformity with the law. With the help and courage of
Kenyans, we will fight for Justice to run its course. And we will be
scrupulously fair.
ICC's
sole purpose is to end impunity for the worst crimes in the world: Genocide,
War Crimes and Crimes against humanity, and to prevent future crimes. To
transform the words 'Never Again' from a moral promise to a legal
obligation. Simply put, this means no-one, irrespective of status, can
commit crimes on a massive scale and get away with it. It is the law.
Let
me repeat what I said on Monday: our motivation is those who are indisputably
the real victims of Kenya's
PEV - families, women, men, children and babies who have been beaten, killed,
burned, raped, mutilated, and dispossessed. For them and for the sake of all
Kenyans, it is crucial to break the cycle of impunity and violence. Ensuring
justice and accountability can play a part. We stand ready to do our part,
but we can not do it alone, it is up to Kenyans to decide to make this
happen, within a strong and united Kenya. I hope I can count on
Kenyans in this joint endeavour.
Thank
you.
