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The Hague -- Today, 14 March 2012, Angelina Jolie attended the reading of the first verdict rendered by the International Criminal Court (ICC), witnessing this decision and supporting the considerable advancements in international justice that the ICC represents. “The delivery of the ICC’s first verdict today is an important moment for the Court, for the Democratic Republic of Congo, and for the rule of law. Perhaps today’s verdict of guilty provides some measure of comfort for the victims of Mr Lubanga’s actions. Most of all it sends a strong message against the use of child soldiers”, said Jolie.
The verdict marks a historic milestone for the ICC. The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo was the first trial to be brought before the ICC, and Mr Lubanga was the first suspect to be arrested under an ICC warrant. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo has been convicted of enlisting, conscripting and using persons under the age of 15 to participate actively in hostilities.
The United Nations estimates that there are tens of thousands of child soldiers engaged in combat in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Her presence at the hearing today is Ms JolieÂ’s fourth visit to the ICC and third appearance at the Lubanga trial proceedings. In addition to attending the testimony of a victim, a child soldier, and attending closing arguments in the case, Ms Jolie funded the Lubanga Chronicles. The Lubanga Chronicles brought news of the trial to the general public in the international community and local communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, through the distribution of written chronicles, short audio clips via local radio stations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and short video clips via internet and other outlets.
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