Secretary-General Welcomes Confirmation by International Criminal Court of Transfer

to The Hague of Suspected War Criminal Bosco Ntaganda

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The International Criminal Court has today confirmed the transfer to its custody of Bosco Ntaganda who is expected to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for atrocities committed in the Ituri region.

The Secretary-General welcomes this development and strongly believes that it will advance the cause of peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as the fight against impunity in the region.

The Secretary-General congratulates the Governments of the United States of America, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo for the steps taken to assist the International Criminal Court in ensuring the swift transfer of Mr. Ntaganda to The Hague.

The Secretary-General affirms that, in accordance with the Relationship Agreement between the two institutions, the United Nations will cooperate with the International Criminal Court with a view to ensuring that Mr. Ntaganda receives a fair and expeditious trial.

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For information media • not an official record