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

__A Conviction in Question__ follows the foundational and controversial trial of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, a murderer whose trial is paramount in tracing the rapid evolution of international law.

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.

"An engrossing narrative 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 Lubanga'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. A Conviction in Question examines the legal issues behind each of the trial's critical moments, including the participation of Lubanga'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 the Lubanga case to further comment on the role of international courts in a contemporary global context."--Jacket Contents Acknowledgments 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-Hanging 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 17. Afterword Notes Bibliography Index