Inside Story

Is the ICC capable of delivering justice?

As Kenya’s president appears in the dock, we look at accusations the court is biased and incompetent.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has appeared before the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

He is the first serving head of state to appear before the court; and is accused of playing a role in the violence that followed disputed elections in 2007.

His trial has faced repeated setbacks. It has been delayed a number of times because of a lack of evidence. Evidence that prosecutors say the Kenyan government has refused to disclose. But the court itself is facing criticism.

Every one of its cases has targeted an African nation, leading some to point to an institutional bias. And its failure to convict the people it pursues lead others to call it incompetent.

So is the ICC capable of delivering justice and an end to global impunity?

Presenter: Mike Hanna

Guests:

Luis Moreno Ocampo – former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

Denise Kodhe – director general of the Insitute for Democracy and Leadership in Africa think tank.

Esther Waweru – programme advisor on Transitional Justice at the Kenya Human Rights Commission.