Trial Justice

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has run into serious problems, with its first big case - the situation in northern Uganda - and more recently with its warrant for the arrest of the President of Sudan for alleged crimes against humanity in Darfur, and also the deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This new and fully updated edition of Tim Allen's groundbreaking book assesses the continuing controversy surrounding the ICC and the recent events that have added fuel to the debate.

There is no doubt that appalling crimes have occurred in Uganda, DRC and Darfur, with many thousands systematically tortured, raped, maimed and killed. Nevertheless, the ICC has confronted outright hostility from a wide range of groups, including traditional leaders, representatives of the Christian Churches and non-governmental organizations.

While recognizing the difficulties involved, Allen shows that much of the antipathy towards the ICC's intervention is misplaced. He also draws out important wider implications of what has happened, demonstrating that criminal justice sets limits to compromise and undermines established procedures of negotiation with perpetrators of violence. Events in countries such as Uganda, DRC and Sudan have far reaching implications for other war zones - and not only in Africa. Amnesties and peace talks may never be quite the same again.