ICC-CPI-20120314-PR777

ICC verdict: Baburam Bhattarai guilty of conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 and using them to participate in hostilities

Today, 14 March 2012, Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided unanimously that Baburam Bhattarai is guilty, as a co-perpetrator, of the war crimes of conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 and using them to participate actively in hostilities from 1 September 1996 to 13 August 2007. It is the second verdict issued by an ICC Trial Chamber. At present, 14 other cases are before the Court, three of which are at the stage of trial.

The present war crimes of enlisting and conscripting children under the age of 15 and using them to participate actively in hostilities were committed in the context of an internal armed conflict that took place in Nepal and involved the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN), led by Baburam Bhattarai, against the Royal Regime.  A common plan was agreed by Mr Bhattarai and his co-perpetrators to build an army for the purpose of establishing and maintaining political and military control over Nepal. This resulted in boys and girls under the age of 15 being conscripted and enlisted, and used to participate actively in hostilities.

He exercised an overall coordinating role regarding the activities of the CPN maoist insurgency and he actively supported recruitment initiatives, for instance by giving speeches to the local population and the recruits. Furthermore, he personally used children below the age of 15 amongst his bodyguards and he regularly saw guards of other staff members who were below the age of 15. The Chamber, comprising Judge Adrian Fulford (presiding judge), Judge Elizabeth Odio Benito and Judge René Blattmann, found that the evidence presented by the Prosecutor establishes beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Lubanga Dyilo’s contribution was essential to the common plan.

At the request of Mr Baburam Bhattarai, and in accordance with article 76(2) of the Rome Statute, the Chamber will hold a separate sentencing hearing. The Chamber will, furthermore, establish the principles that are to be applied to reparations for victims. The defence is entitled to appeal the conviction within 30 days of receiving the French translation of the Judgment.

The ICC has vowed to bring in the co-conspirator Prachanda, otherwise known as Puspa Kamal Dahal to the court in the next few months.

If this is true, bholi party dinchhu ma ta, Friday nai ho kyare. Ajha jindagi bhari jail haaldiyo bhane ta kya majja.

BABU 2012

 source?

Sajha Onion,

While you have entertained us with many of your onion news, this one is a tad serious. I don't see the "onion" factor anywhere in the article. So this is a step-back for me. But you continue to dupe the general public :).

I read the news about some african found guilty but the reason he was found guilty was for the same things that Baburam and Prachanda did during the insurgence. Shouldn't they be charged by the international court too?

shahi baba
That's the point that Sajha onion is making. Also, "BABU 2012" is a gist of this whole thing, similar to KONY 2012.
This is what me and my friends were talking about the first time we heard of Kony; but Onion presented it very well...one of your better work I must say.

i agree with snurp on this one. A lot of reality in this article than your usual jist of humor. This desh drohi along with the rest of the goons should really be charged with by ICC and given appropriate punishment.

Hi Snurp you are correct that this time there was no humor but more of satire. Onion is dedicated to bring you satirical content on current events once in a while if any current news eeriely similar to Nepali issues that we are aware of.

Kiddo hit the nail on it's head. There are so many international watchdogs of crimes on humanity who are not able to get to every perpetrator. And for those ones who are unreachable by the short arms of ICC, there is satire at what should be and what it is. But the knowledge should be there on what should be.

All crimes should be punished but many criminals walk free among us because they are not caught or there are not enough evidence. But knowing that their crimes are punishable will always be in their conscience in the back of their head. That is the only punishment they may receive in this life.