Tomorrow, the closing arguments will be held in the #Ongwen case, a case fraught with moral complexity – an abducted victim is being tried for crimes committed as an adult.
The seriousness of charges - and the evidence – often get little attention in this debate. A short THREAD:
The seriousness of charges - and the evidence – often get little attention in this debate. A short THREAD:
#SGBC – 7 women allege the most horrific acts of rape, forced marriage, torture and cruel treatment imaginable, some as young as ten years old.
#Pajule – Hundreds abducted, homes pillaged, men, women and children beaten, enslaved and some killed. Ongwen was part of the attack.
#Odek – Dozens killed, including infants. Civilians beaten and made to carry goods, before being killed in the bush.
Ongwen ordered everything be “exterminated,” and reported the attack on the radio to Kony.
Ongwen ordered everything be “exterminated,” and reported the attack on the radio to Kony.
#Lukodi – Dozens killed, whole families set on fire in their huts. Children abducted who never returned.
Ongwen ordered his men to burn everything, and later claimed the attack on radio, saying “it was me.”
Ongwen ordered his men to burn everything, and later claimed the attack on radio, saying “it was me.”
#Abok – Dozens killed and abducted when Ongwen ordered his men to attack the camp, burn it down and shoot anyone who runs away.
Ongwen claimed the attack on radio saying “we burnt everything.”
Ongwen claimed the attack on radio saying “we burnt everything.”
#Childsoldiers – countless young children abducted and served under Ongwen. Brutally indoctrinated, forced to kill and maim. Lives ruined forever.
Duress is claimed as a defence, but the perceived threats were not imminent, and his conduct not proportionate.
He could have avoided civilians, be inactive, or just escaped.
He could have avoided civilians, be inactive, or just escaped.
The defence of mental disease is also argued, but the alleged illnesses do not meet the high threshold.
The evidence shows he knew what he was doing, and that it was wrong.
The evidence shows he knew what he was doing, and that it was wrong.
Thousands of victims are affected by this case. It demands justice and appropriate reparations.
A sentence with significant mitigation is likely and to be expected.
This is a tragic case for all concerned. Ongwen’s victimhood is not in doubt, but neither are his actions.
A sentence with significant mitigation is likely and to be expected.
This is a tragic case for all concerned. Ongwen’s victimhood is not in doubt, but neither are his actions.
