(Photo credit: The Guardian)

In its first ruling since formation, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has sought a thirty-year sentence for former Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga. Last March, Lubanga was found guiltyof recruiting child soldiers between 2002-2003.  His war crimes have now been brought to light, and the standard for global activism is being set, making this a significant step toward international justice.  Read the comprehensible BBC article below.

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The International Criminal Court was formed 10 years ago and today its first verdict was leveled against Thomas Lubanga. This man was found guilty of recruiting and utilizing children as soldiers from 2002 until 2003. Lubanga’s rebel force, the Union of Congolese Patriots, was part of an inter-ethnic conflict which resulted in the deaths of 60,000 people.

This judgement marks an exciting point for international prosecution against criminals like Lubanga. Michael Bochenek of Amnesty International expresses this sentiment beautifully: “It will help to strip away the impunity they have enjoyed for crimes under international law because national authorities have consistently failed to investigate these crimes. This guilty verdict demonstrates that the ICC can step in to bring them to justice”.