Lubanga trial back on track

The first trial at the International Criminal Court seems to have recovered from its disastrous start.

Not that you would know this by looking at the daily transcripts that are meant to be posted on the court’s website, here.

At time of writing, the latest transcript is dated February 4, nearly two weeks ago — and that contains virtually nothing because the court was in closed session. A spokesman tells me that the court management section is doing its utmost to resolve the problems that have delayed publication of the transcripts.

The latest report I can trace by an international news agency was filed on February 10.

Fortunately, though, this website provides excellent coverage of the trial. The website is supported by the Open Society Justice Initiative.

Rachel Irwin reports that on February 13 the court heard evidence from the former child soldier who had recanted hours after being called as the court's first witness — a risk, incidentally, that no experienced prosecutor would have taken. The witness said he was about 11 when he was forced to train and fight in Thomas Lubanga’s militia.

Irwin adds that Lubanga “was visibly shaken and abruptly walked out of the courtroom” after hearing evidence from a former high-ranking official in the alleged warlord’s political movement.

It is sad, but perhaps not surprising, that this important story has dropped out of public view.

Posted at February 16, 2009 01:32 PM