I didn’t say the Hague was going to prosecute Kony
Jan 13, 2004
SIR — I am writing because I have been seriously misquoted in your January 12 article, written by Dennis Ocwic. As we agreed over the phone I am sending you the letter I sent Mr. Ocwic.
SIR — I am writing because I have been seriously misquoted in your January 12 article, written by Dennis Ocwic. As we agreed over the phone I am sending you the letter I sent Mr. Ocwic.
It will be clear from that letter that I never said the International Criminal Court was contemplating bringing charges against Joseph Kony.
In the letter I requested images and video material about the LRA and violence in northern Uganda as part of my work in collecting images of atrocity crimes from all over the world. I therefore request that there is an immediate correction and explanation by your publication.
Wanda E. Hall
Outreach Advisor
Immediate Office of the Prosecutor
International Criminal Court
The Hague, Netherlands
Ed: We reproduce below the original text of Ms Hall's letter:
Dear Mr Dennis Ocwic,
To follow up on our phone conversation, let me explain a bit more who I am and why I am looking for photograph and video images about conflict in northern Uganda that involves Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
I write from the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. As outreach advisor for the Prosecutor, I am responsible for collecting images, usually video material, but also photographs, on the types of crimes around the world that the Prosecutor has jurisdiction over.
He is charged, under the mandate of the Court, to monitor and bring to justice crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide within or committed by citizens of the 92 countries which have signed the Rome Statute. In order to increase international understanding of his office, and to motivate people around the world to support him in his work, the Prosecutor travels extensively to speak about his activities.
He often uses images in his presentations to underline the urgency of situations and to generate participatory support. I understand that you have documented the violence associated with Joseph Kony and the abduction of children in northern Uganda through photo-essays.
It would be very interesting for our office to view this material, and use it in our presentations, because this situation is a concern for the Prosecutor and he would like to show people around the world what is happening.
If you know people who have video material, of testimonies or of the violence, that would be very interesting for us also. This of course is for educational and awareness building purposes only, and we would not broadcast this material or use it in any commercial manner whatsoever.
Ownership credits for all material used is always noted in our work as well. The prosecutor is hoping to establish a community around the world, of people like you, who are interested in documenting and bringing to attention atrocity crimes that must be brought to justice.
I hope that you will be interested in participating in this initiative, and I’m sure that your ideas about other people in Uganda who may want to contribute information and material for this purpose would be very helpful to us.
I look forward to your response, and would be happy to discuss any questions you have about our work by either email or phone. My sincere thanks for your assistance and support
Sincerely,
Wanda E. Hall
Outreach Advisor
Immediate Office of the Prosecutor
International Criminal Court
The Hague, Netherlands
It will be clear from that letter that I never said the International Criminal Court was contemplating bringing charges against Joseph Kony.
In the letter I requested images and video material about the LRA and violence in northern Uganda as part of my work in collecting images of atrocity crimes from all over the world. I therefore request that there is an immediate correction and explanation by your publication.
Wanda E. Hall
Outreach Advisor
Immediate Office of the Prosecutor
International Criminal Court
The Hague, Netherlands
Ed: We reproduce below the original text of Ms Hall's letter:
Dear Mr Dennis Ocwic,
To follow up on our phone conversation, let me explain a bit more who I am and why I am looking for photograph and video images about conflict in northern Uganda that involves Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
I write from the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. As outreach advisor for the Prosecutor, I am responsible for collecting images, usually video material, but also photographs, on the types of crimes around the world that the Prosecutor has jurisdiction over.
He is charged, under the mandate of the Court, to monitor and bring to justice crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide within or committed by citizens of the 92 countries which have signed the Rome Statute. In order to increase international understanding of his office, and to motivate people around the world to support him in his work, the Prosecutor travels extensively to speak about his activities.
He often uses images in his presentations to underline the urgency of situations and to generate participatory support. I understand that you have documented the violence associated with Joseph Kony and the abduction of children in northern Uganda through photo-essays.
It would be very interesting for our office to view this material, and use it in our presentations, because this situation is a concern for the Prosecutor and he would like to show people around the world what is happening.
If you know people who have video material, of testimonies or of the violence, that would be very interesting for us also. This of course is for educational and awareness building purposes only, and we would not broadcast this material or use it in any commercial manner whatsoever.
Ownership credits for all material used is always noted in our work as well. The prosecutor is hoping to establish a community around the world, of people like you, who are interested in documenting and bringing to attention atrocity crimes that must be brought to justice.
I hope that you will be interested in participating in this initiative, and I’m sure that your ideas about other people in Uganda who may want to contribute information and material for this purpose would be very helpful to us.
I look forward to your response, and would be happy to discuss any questions you have about our work by either email or phone. My sincere thanks for your assistance and support
Sincerely,
Wanda E. Hall
Outreach Advisor
Immediate Office of the Prosecutor
International Criminal Court
The Hague, Netherlands