First ICC investigation

The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been one of the world’s deadliest since World War II, and brought with it allegations of murder, the use of child soldiers, rape and other grave crimes. Victims and civil society in the DRC and around the globe demanded accountability, and on 23 June 2004, the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened an investigation into the situation in the DRC—the Court’s first.

The prosecutor’s investigation focused on the eastern region of Ituri, which experienced particularly heavy conflict.

since 1998, an estimated 5.4 million have died from war-related causes in the drc

Referral and preliminary examination

The Congolese government referred the situation on its territory to the ICC on 19 April 2004. After a preliminary examination, the Court’s chief prosecutor decided to proceed with a full investigation into crimes allegedly committed in the country since 1 July 2002—the date of the entry into force of the ICC Rome Statute.

The prosecutor focused the investigation on the eastern DRC, specifically the Ituri and Kivu regions.

Eastern militia leaders targeted for arrest

Arrest warrants were issued against the leaders of several armed militia and rebel groups accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, but some suspects remain at large. The Coalition actively urges states, as well as regional and international bodies, to ensure that all ICC suspects are arrested and handed over to face justice.

drc rebel leader thomas lubanga was the first person convicted by the ICC in 2012

Background to the conflict

Since 1998, some 5.4 million people are reported to have died in the DRC, particularly in its troubledeastern regions – Ituri and the Kivus - where political and ethnic tensions have resulted in years of violence and civilian abuses.

cases

Learn more about past and current ICC cases in the DRC:

  • Thomas Lubanga
  • Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui
  • Bosco Ntaganda
  • Sylvestre Mudacumura
  • Callixte Mbarushimana