FOREIGN AND
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE News Release issued by The Government News
Network on 3 July 2008
Lord Malloch-Brown
comments on the arrest of Jean-Pierre Bemba;
"I welcome the news that Jean-Pierre Bemba has today been
surrendered to the International Criminal Court, to face serious
charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the
Central African Republic (CAR). This follows his arrest in Belgium
on 24 May.
"Bemba is the first person to be arrested as a result of the
ICC's investigations into the situation in CAR. As a
Congolese national, arrested in Belgium for crimes committed in
CAR, his arrest demonstrates the vital role the ICC is now playing
in the international community's efforts to fight impunity
for the most serious of crimes. As we approach the 10th
anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute, I urge all states
to co-operate with the Court in helping bring to justice other
at-large individuals currently wanted by the ICC."
Press Office, Downing Street (West), London SW1A 2AL