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Journalism of Courage
Judges at a war crimes tribunal convicted a Congolese warlord Wednesday of snatching children from the street and turning them into killers,in the International Criminal Courts landmark first judgment 10 years after it was established.
The prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that Thomas Lubanga is guilty of the crimes of conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 years and using them to participate actively in hostilities, said Presiding Judge Adrian Fulford.
Lubanga sat with his hands clasped in front of him listening to the verdict and showed no emotion as Fulford declared him guilty. Actress and activist Angelina Jolie watched the hearing from the public gallery and said the verdict was a victory for the former child soldiers.
This is their day,where these children will feel there is no impunity for what happened to them,for what they suffered, Jolie said. A sentencing hearing will now be scheduled. Lubanga faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Judges said Lubanga,personally used children below the age of 15 as his bodyguards.
