Impact!Communications

• More than 2 million have been tortured and killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo
• 2 million expelled and at least 300,000 killed in ethnic cleansing in Darfur
• Central African Republic militias and mercenaries commit mass rape, murder and kidnappings
• In Uganda, the Lords Resistance Army is accused of crimes ranging from sexual enslavement, mutilation, and forced conscription of child soldiers

FROM THE CHAOS AND MUD AND DECOMPOSING BODIES ON A BATTLEFIELD, THE FAIR AND JUST PROSECUTION OF WAR CRIMES IS AN INSTRUMENT THAT OFFERS UP HOPE THAT, WHILE WAR REMAINS WITH US, WARLORDS WILL BE DETERRED FROM COMMITTING FUTURE HORRORS THAT TERRORIZE INNOCENT VICTIMS. 

IT IS AN AUDACIOUS IDEAL:  ONE THAT COULD SAVE MILLIONS OF LIVES OF ORDINARY MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN.

THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Chris Stephen, Producer/Reporter/Narrator

Author, Judgment Day:  The Trial of Slobodan Milosevic

Mr. Stephen has reported from seven wars for publications including:  London Guardian, London Sunday Times, New York Times Magazine.  He has testified in a war crime case at the Hague Tribunal, trained journalists covering war crimes, and provided expert analysis on war crimes issues for the BBC, CNN, and the Irish Times.

Susan Barnett, Producer/Director

An Emmy-nominated investigative journalist who spent a dozen years producing for ABC and NBC News in the U.S.  She now consults with NGOs to help them reach their audiences through effective communication strategy and compelling storytelling.

Alexander Metcalfe, Camera

Director of Photography, Upside Down Films (UK).  His body of work includes television drama, news, and documentary for major UK broadcast outlets including Channel 4 and the BBC.

John Jones, Legal Advisor

Co-authored International Criminal Practice, one of 2 primary legal texts used by all international tribunals.  He was among the original lawyers with the first Hague Tribunal (1993) and helped construct the court's Rules and Procedure Codes.  He provides expert commentary on war crimes issues for broadcasters, including the BBC and CNN.

THE FOUR CURRENT ICC CASES IN AFRICA:

UGANDA

Referred to ICC December 2003

2000 dead; 3000 child abductions

Suspects:  4 warlords; all at large

Charges:  Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes

Allegation:   Under the semi-messianic control of Joseph Kony, the rebel group, the Lords Resistance Army or LRA, came to terrorize northern Uganda, kidnapping 1000's of children -- the boys were forced to become child soldiers, the girls sex slaves, and young women, the wives of soldiers.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Referred to ICC March 2004

3 million dead

Suspects:  3 militia leaders; 1 on trial; 2 in custody

Charges:  War Crimes

Allegation:  Africa's "Great War" is the most destructive in the continent's history, eventually involving rebel armies from 6 nations.  The conflict ended with a peace accord and a UN forces in 2003.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Referred to ICC December 2004

800 rape victims

Suspect:  1 Former Government Vice President;  in custody

Charges:  Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes

Allegation:  In 2002, former CAR President Patasse fought off a coup using rebel forces from the DRC, who are accused of numerous atrocities.

SUDAN

Referred to ICC March 2005

300,000 dead; 2 million refugees

Suspects:  President Omar Bashir; 1 Government Minister; 1 Janjaweed militia leader; all at large

Charges:  Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes

Allegation:  Darfur opposition groups, rebeling against the Sudanese government, were met with government bombings and Janjaweed militia attacks that resulted in mass killing.

As the world's first and only permanent war crimes court, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a revolution in how global justice will be dispensed -- and thanks to technological advances -- the way global justice will be seen. 

As the trials in The Hague are streamed on the internet, journalists across the world, Africa, and in the four African nations where  the first 4 ICC investigations are taking place, will be able to independently watch and report on war crimes trials, on a daily basis.

Because the ICC is a mystery to most people, especially those it was set up to serve, Impact Justice will provide journalists with accurate, nonbiased information about the mechanics of impartial justice and the workings of the ICC.  Via a free DVD and multi-language website, Impact Justice's goals are 2-fold:

1.  Help journalists accurately report how upcoming war crime cases are investigated, prosecuted, defended; how judgments are rendered and appeals sought.

2. Help journalists recognize inaccurate propaganda -- often spread by warlords with the most to fear from the court  -- that risks undermining the court's long term mission:  to establish the rule of law, and prevent future atrocities, by holding leadership accountable for war crimes committed during their watch.