CPC puts post-poll victims on high alert

Written By:Glena Nyamwaya,    Posted: Fri, Jul 15, 2011

ICPC Exexutive Director Ndung'u Wainaina said individuals masquerading as ICC agents have been registering victims with the promise that they will compensate them The International Center for Policy and Conflict (ICPC) Friday sent an alert to victims of the post-election violence, to be cautious about unscrupulous "compensation" registration purported being conducted on behalf of the International Criminal Court (ICC). According to the centre, it is gravely concerned for the safety and welfare of victims of the post-election violence after receiving disturbing reports of insidious operations by certain parties claiming to be registering the victims to receive reparations through the ICC process. "The reports largely concern operations that have been carried out in North and Central Rift Valley though other areas may have been similarly affected," reads a statement from the rights center. "The reports indicate that individuals masquerading as officers or agents from the ICC have been engaged in registering victims of the post election violence with the promise that the ICC will provide them with reparations or compensation," it further states. Following this development, the ICPC warns victims against persons who promise such reparations. They point out that such promises out to mislead the post-poll chaos victims could indicate a lack of understanding of the court process as even the judges of the court itself cannot promise reparations to a victim without first having made a final ruling on the case and issuing a conviction. "Even then, only those officially registered victims who have requested reparations, and who are victims as a direct result of the actions for which one of the suspects in question has been convicted, may be eligible for reparations," the ICPC reasons. The center goes on to add that on a more troubling point, this could also be an indication of a deliberate attempt by individuals working against the court process to obtain information from victims through the incentive of reparations or compensation. "Such a move could very easily put victims at risk especially if the information they give is perceived to counter to the interests of the parties that are against the court process," ICPC says. Victims' participation in the ICC process concerning the two cases before the court as well as the process of registration is being coordinated by the Victims Participation and Reparations Section (VPRS) which is an office within the ICC operating under the ICC Registry. With these facts in mind, the ICPC cautions all victims to be extremely wary of individuals purporting to be registering victims for reparation through the ICC . Victims are now being urged to cross-reference any such individual by demanding that those seeking to register them for participation at the ICC provide the official name and contact information for the organization. The rights activists are also calling for those seeking to register victims to exhibit a thorough understanding of the ICC and ICC process in Kenya. "Conducting civic education on the ICC and the processes of the court is instrumental to developing a proper understanding of the process as well as rationalizing victims' expectations regarding the outcomes of the same, they argue. They say that the process of registering victims should be slow and painstaking to ensure that  victims understand the r process and provide their consent at every stage. "Victims should never feel rushed or threatened with exclusion if they do not promptly provide information. Victims are also free to exclude any information that they feel might put them or others in jeopardy. Victims must also be thoroughly advised on their rights and liberties at every stage of the process," the ICPC advises. The center says that such measures are necessary in light of the current political atmosphere especially with the reality that those facing the prospect of trial before the ICC are in significant positions of power and influence and are desperately seeking to secure or advance their political ambitions in the coming 2012 elections.