Monday, the 22nd of October 2012 - ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has today told a press conference that The Hague based court will not bend to the country’s political developments but will instead follow its own calendar.
The ICC prosecutor however admitted that the ICC judges will determine the question of whether to change the timetable should there be a runoff poll involving either Uhuru Kenyatta or William Ruto. Reacting to a question on whether the court will respect the country’s political development Bensouda said;
“Our time table is our time table .The judges will determine whether or not to vary the dates if there is a run-off election but as of now we will keep to the time table.”
On the issue of witness tampering Bensouda said that her office was very keen to ensure that the witnesses are not interfered with in any way;
“I want to be very clear on this. Witness interference is a crime both under the national law and the (Rome) Statue.”
“Of course we are concerned about the issue of witness interference.”
“Under Article 70 of the Rome statute any person who interferes with witneses can be prosecuted by the ICC and also by the state.”
“This is one issue which we are also going to discuss with the authorities”
Bensouda also took pains to address the myth that the court is being used as political tool in the Kibaki succession;
“We are trying to ensure that peace comes to Kenya but we should not be seen as the obstacle of peace coming to Kenya.”
“I don’t think anyone hear will say crimes were not committed.”
“This process is not about identifying or eliminating anyone. It’s a judicial process.”
The ICC prosecutor also bemoaned the popular claim the ICC is a court that is disproportionately targeting Africans;
“ICC has been supported a lot by African states. This is something that can be seen in the courts history.”
“Contrary to what a lot of people believe the ICC gets a lot of support from African countries. The perception that ICC is targeting Africans is wrong”
“As long as the victims need us, the ICC will be here.”
The ICC prosecutor is in the country for five day tour that will see her visit witnesses and victims of the post election violence.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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