Foreign Secretary reaction to sentencing of Thomas Lubanga
Foreign Secretary William Hague said the sentencing of Thomas Lubanga to 14 years is a powerful reminder that those who commit the most serious international crimes will be held accountable.
Speaking today the Foreign Secretary said:
“The sentencing of Thomas Lubanga by the International Criminal Court will be welcomed by Lubanga’s victims. It is a powerful reminder that those who commit the most serious international crimes will be held accountable for their actions. The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo can rightly be proud of its contribution to bringing Lubanga to justice. I urge all states, particularly those in the Great Lakes region, to continue the fight against impunity by helping to bring to justice those who commit grave crimes threatening the peace, security and well-being of local communities, in particular women and children. As I said in my speech in The Hague yesterday, the United Kingdom will continue to give full support to the efforts and investigations of the International Criminal Court”
Thomas Lubanga faced charges of war crimes committed in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2002-3. He was the first person to be detained by the ICC, and his case was the first to proceed to trial. Minister for Africa Henry Bellingham welcomed the announcement of the guilty verdict in March.