A Conviction in Question: The First Trial at the International Criminal Court

by Jim Freedman

Overview

A lively narrative account of the first case to appear at the International Criminal Court, A Conviction in Question documents the trial of Union of Congolese Patriots leader and warlord, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo. Although Dyilo’s crimes, including murder, rape, and the forcible conscription of child soldiers, were indisputable, legal wrangling and a clash of personalities caused the trial to be prolonged for an unprecedented six years. This book offers an accessible account of the rapid evolution of international law and the controversial trial at the foundation of the International Criminal Court.

The first book to thoroughly examine Dyilo’s trial, A Conviction in Question looks at the legal issues behind each of the trial’s critical moments, including the participation of Dyilo’s victims at the trial and the impact of witness protection. Through eye-witness observation and analysis, Jim Freedman shows that the trial suffered from all the problems associated with ordinary criminal law trials, and uses Dyilo’s case to further comment on the role of international courts in a contemporary global context.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781487502898
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press
Publication date:	11/27/2017
Series:	UTP Insights
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jim Freedman is professor emeritus in the Faculty of Social Sciences at Western University

Table of Contents

Map of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Introduction
A Note on Dialogue

1. The Way to Bunia
2. Museveni’s Divide and Plunder
3. Under Siege
4. From All Hell to The Hague
5. Low Lying Fruit
6. The End Before the Beginning
7. The First Witness
8. A Child Soldier in the Chamber Wars
9. The Paladin, The Warrior and His Lordship
10. Witness from The Front Lines
11. Muting the Victims
12. Lies, All Lies
13. Under the Judge’s Skin
14. Disorder in The Court
15. Sexual Violence
16. A Dubious Conviction

Afterword
References

What People are Saying About This

Mark Drumbl

"Freedman delivers a rich and comprehensive account of the prosecution of warlord Thomas Lubanga. Including lively trial quotes, A Conviction in Question is gripping and accessible."

Joanna Quinn

"While containing a startling amount of scholarly content, A Conviction in Question reads like a well-told detective story, and I read it from cover to cover in one sitting, turning page after page to get to the next revealing detail."

Editorial Reviews

"Freedman speaks directly with various participants in the trial and details events inside the courtroom… Readers will find themselves in the courtroom of the first ever international court and see how law is made."

—W.R. Pruitt, Choice Magazine vol 55:10:2018

"While containing a startling amount of scholarly content, A Conviction in Question reads like a well-told detective story, and I read it from cover to cover in one sitting, turning page after page to get to the next revealing detail."

—Joanna Quinn, Department of Political Science, Western University

"Freedman delivers a rich and comprehensive account of the prosecution of warlord Thomas Lubanga. Including lively trial quotes, A Conviction in Question is gripping and accessible."

—Mark Drumbl, School of Law, Washington and Lee University

From the Publisher

"Freedman speaks directly with various participants in the trial and details events inside the courtroom... Readers will find themselves in the courtroom of the first ever international court and see how law is made."

Choice Magazine vol 55:10:2018 - W.R. Pruitt