Mali agrees to take on ICC prisoners

by admin
Jan 21, 2012
Mali has agreed to open its prison to prisoners sentenced by the International Criminal Court, becoming the first African country to have done so.

The agreement was signed on Friday by ICC Vice-President Fatoumata Dembele Diarra and Malian Foreign Affairs Minister Soumeylou Boubeye, which allowed for ICC prisoners to serve their sentences in Malian jails.

Boubeye commented,
“Through this ceremony, Mali wishes to reaffirm its unfailing commitment to human rights and the ideals of international peace and justice on which the ICC was founded.”
“This is a modest, symbolic contribution from Mali to assist the Court in best serving its mandate, in particular in the fight against impunity for international crimes the world over.”
Judge Diarra welcomed the agreement remarking,
“The enforcement of sentences is a crucial element of a well-functioning justice system, and the ICC is grateful to every State Party that expresses its willingness to accept persons convicted by the Court.”
The ICC has also signed similar agreements with Austria, United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Serbia and Colombia.

So far no suspects have yet been convicted, but a verdict is awaited for Thomas Lubanga, leader of a Congolese militia.

The court, which was formed to investigate and punish genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression is currently investigating seven cases, all in Africa. The countries under investigation are the Ivory Coast, Libya, Kenya, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Uganda.

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