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CAR: Former CAR president Ange Felix Patassé and Mrs. Bemba discuss Bemba case in an interview; opinions and other developments

25 Feb 2010

Dear all,

Please find below information about recent developments related to the International Criminal Court's investigation in the Central African Republic (CAR).

This message includes latest news coverage, including on former CAR President Patassé's alleged views on the Bemba case an interview of Mrs. Bemba, expressing her opinion on the Bemba case as well (I); opinions (II): and other developments (III).

Please take note of the Coalition's policy on situations before the ICC (below), which explicitly states that the CICC will not take a position on potential and current situations before the Court or situations under analysis. The Coalition, however, will continue to provide the most up-to-date information about the ICC.

Best regards,
CICC Secretariat
http://www.coalitionfortheicc.org/

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I. BEMBA CASE

A. FORMER CAR PRESIDENT, ANGE FELIX PATASSE DISCUSSES BEMBA CASE IN AN INTERVIEW

i. "Interview of the former Central African Republic President, Ange Félix Patassé," Africa 24, 4 February 2010, http://www.africahit.com/news/article/politique/8737/ (in French)

Thierry Hot interviewed for AFRICA24 former Central African Republic President and candidate for the upcoming presidential election of March-April 2010, Ange Félix Patassé. See the video: http://www.africahit.com/news/article/politique/8737/

ii. "ICC: Ange Félix Patassé requests provisional release for Bemba," Radio Okapi, 3 February 2010, http://www.radiookapi.net/index.php?i=53&a=26287 (in French)

"'We want Jean-Pierre Bemba to be granted provisional release', said former Central African Republic President, Ange Félix Patassé in an interview with the Panafrican channel Africa24. Patassé says he trusts ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo who, according to him, will dispense justice in a balanced way, reports radiookapi.net.

During the confirmation hearings, in January 2009, Félix Patassé had been accused by Jean-Pierre Bemba's counsels, who rejected any responsibility of their client in the crimes his militia is accused of having committed. For them, the only person to be responsible is the former Central African President because he had ordered war materials, vehicles, fuel and uniforms.

Patassé's lawyers denied those accusations. They said that their client has no criminal responsibility and that he is not prosecuted by the ICC in this case. Indeed, in the interview he made with Africa24, Ange-Félix Patassé said he is not worried and he does not fear being brought before the Court in this case. ."

[Unofficial translation provided by CICC Secretariat]

iii. "Former Central African President Patassé wants Bemba to be granted provisional release," AFP, 2 February 2010, http://www.cameroun-online.com/actualite,actu-13386.html (in French)

"'We want Jean-Pierre Bemba to be granted provisional release', said Ange Félix Patassé, President between 1993 and 2003, in this interview with the Panafrican channel Africa24.

'I trust the [ICC] Prosecutor. I think he is a very balanced man who will dispense justice properly', he added, answering a question on his alleged support to Mr. Bemba during his detention. ."

[Unofficial translation provided by CICC Secretariat]

iv. "Saga J. P. Bemba at the ICC: former Central African President Patassé says he never asked a provisional release for the chairman!", L'Avenir (RDC), 8 February 2010, http://www.digitalcongo.net/article/64443 -- excerpt from press release #93/AFP/PP/10, Guy-Simplice KODEGUE, spokesperson of former President Ange Félix Patassé, Bangui, 5 February 2010 (in French)

"...President Patassé, being a democrat, taking into account the grounds stated by the Pre-Trial Chamber II, and considering the upcoming Christmas and New Year's celebrations, thought it would be good if Jean-Pierre Bemba could benefit from this legal measure before his trial as stated in the decision.

This is nothing more than President Patassé's personal request. . "
[Unofficial translation provided by CICC Secretariat]

v. « J. P. Bemba de déboires en déboires : un de ses avocats s'est fait voler l'ordinateur contenant la plaidoirie au procès à la CPI » , (J.P Bemba from difficulties to difficulties : The computer containing the Defense speech was stolen from one of his lawyers), Le Palmarès (DRC)- 16 December 2009 http://www.digitalcongo.net/article/63240 (in French)

"He could not imagine at all that those chasing him were actually after his computer. . The computer containing the Defense's strategic speech was stolen from Aimé Kilolo.

One thing for sure is that the stealers did not do it unintentionally. . considering the current circumstances, this act is the result of a smart plan of destabilization. ."

[Unofficial translation provided by CICC Secretariat]

B. INTERVIEW OF MRS. BEMBA ON THE BEMBA CASE

i. "Liliane Bemba: the fight of a determined woman (Liliane Bemba: le combat d'une femme déterminée)", By Ginette TSHIBOLA (Afrique Redaction), 21 February 2010 http://www.afriqueredaction.com/article-liliane-bemba-le-combat-d-une-femme-determinee-45353605.html

"She does what is humanly possible to obtain her husband's innocence. Liliane Teixeira Bemba, wife of the Congolese opposition leader, barely sleeps at night since Jean-Pierre Bemba's arrest in May 2007 in Brussels and his transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Liliane, a discreet woman, experiences this separation with difficulty but believes that justice, real justice, will prevail in favor of the head of the MLC, a political "victim". [.]

Q. The Bemba trial will start in April...
A.- I do not fear [for him] but I just want justice to be done. Our lawyers are also confident. The charges against the senator [Bemba] are purely politically motivated. The lawyers are doing what they can to prove to the world that M. Bemba is not responsible [for the alleged crimes]. There are no evidence linking him directly to the crimes he is being accused of. (.)

Q.- In October 2009, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor started an information campaign to get the Central African population's support.
A.- If the ICC is sure that my husband is guilty (.) why did they do such a campaign in Central Africa ? What I do not understand is that M. Patassé (former Central African president at the time of the alleged crimes in 2002) is not worried and he will even be a candidate to the upcoming [presidential] elections. Yet, he is the one who called for Bemba's help. Now, the ICC says that Jean-Pierre Bemba is co-perpetrator of the [alleged] crimes committed in Central African Republic, and even says that he has responsibility as a military commander. But who are the other ones? Why aren't they being detained as well ? I realize with disappointment that the ICC has double standards. (.) "

[Unofficial translation provided by CICC Secretariat]

II. OPINION

i. « Roger Lumbala juge Jean-Pierre Bemba « Il écoute difficilement. Il ne libère pas facilement » » (Roger Lumbala judges Jean-Pierre Bemba: "He listens with difficulty; he does not let you go easily"), La République (DRC), 26 January 2010, http://www.afriqueredaction.com/article-roger-lumbala-juge-jean-pierre-bemba-il-
ecoute-difficilement-il-ne-libere-pas-facilement--43704695.html (in French)

"President of the RDC-National, Roger Lumbala Tshitenge, granted an interview to Le Soft International. During this interview, he says he agrees to justify his "crimes in The Hague. Of this long interview, we will remember his value judgment of the National President of the MLC, Jean-Pierre Bemba. .

He likes everything to depend on him. He listens with difficulty; he does not let you go easily. It is not his fault: he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He cannot understand the hard social conditions some people are facing."

[Unofficial translation provided by CICC Secretariat]

III. OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

1. "Tackling impunity key challenge for Central African Republic, says UN rights chief," UN, 19 February 2010 http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33821&Cr=central+african+republic&Cr1=

"Addressing impunity for human rights violations is one of the top challenges facing the Central African Republic (CAR), as it enters the final stretch before elections, a senior United Nations official said today.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who is on a one-day visit to the nation, told reporters in the capital, Bangui, that the election scheduled for 18 April "presents a tremendous opportunity for the Central African Republic, both to show the world and the people of the Central African Republic that it can hold successful, free and fair elections, and to take a great leap forward towards securing a peaceful democratic future."
The key to the "future well-being of this great country," she pointed out, lies in bolstering the rule of law, strengthening the justice system and putting an end to violence and exploitation.

It is especially vital, the official told reporters, to root out continuing impunity for human rights violations, especially among law enforcement agents and the armed forces.

She said that she had urged the Government to step up its actions to provide redress to victims and bring perpetrators to justice.

"Summary executions, enforced disappearances, illegal arrests and detention are all issues that have surfaced in connection with state security and defense institutions, and strenuous efforts need to be made to put an end to these extremely serious abuses of power."

Ms. Pillay, who met with Prime Minister Faustin Archange Touadera and other officials during her visit, praised the Government for demonstrating its willingness to work with the UN human rights system, as well as for the National Assembly's recent revision of penal and criminal procedure codes, which she said will help bolster the independence of the judiciary and serve as an ally in the fight against impunity. (.)"

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