UN Security Council press statement on International Criminal Court

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The following Security Council statement was issued on 16 March by Council President Mark Lyall Grant ( United Kingdom):

The members of the Security Council note with appreciation the issuance of the first verdict of the International Criminal Court, which found Thomas Lubanga guilty of the crimes of conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 years into the Force patriotique pour la libération du Congo and using them to participate actively in hostilities. War crimes involving the most vulnerable members of society, such as children, are of particular concern and this verdict is an important step towards ensuring that those responsible for such crimes are held accountable. The members of the Security Council reaffirm their strong opposition to impunity for the most serious crimes of international concern.

The members of the Security Council recognize that this is an important moment for the victims who suffered as a result of Thomas Lubanga's actions. The members of the Security Council express their deepest sympathy to those victims and others who have suffered from similar crimes during the hostilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.