Paris — The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued its ruling yesterday on reparations in the case against Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, convicted in 2012 of using child soldiers in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between 2002 and 2003. The Appeals Chamber defined the principles of reparation to victims and amended the decision of the first instance accordingly. The Appeal Chamber also instructed the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) to draft a plan to implement collective reparations, so that victims of Lubanga's crimes finally receive the redress they have been waiting for.
FIDH and its member organisations in the DRC, ASADHO, Groupe Lotus and Ligue des électeurs commend the Chamber's on-going commitment to a comprehensive, consultative, culturally-appropriate and gender-sensitive approach to reparations. "Providing former child soldiers with the medical and psychological assistance they need, and the tools necessary to re-engage with their communities as part of a broader campaign against discrimination and stigmatisation is crucial for their sustainable rehabilitation", said Jean-Claude Katende, President of ASADHO.
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