The June 29 Agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation and the Need for Adequate Penalties for the Most Serious Crimes

Human Rights Watch’s Second Memorandum on Justice Issues and the Juba Talks

July 2007

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I. Introduction

II. ICC judges determine the sufficiency of national alternatives to its cases, and adequate penalties go to the ICC’s requirements for such alternatives

III. International standards and practice indicate that a term of imprisonment reflecting the gravity of the crimes is the appropriate penalty for the most serious crimes

IV. Ugandan law and judicial practice, along with the practice of other national jurisdictions, reinforce that terms of imprisonment consistent with the gravity of the crimes is the appropriate penalty

V. Conclusion