The International Criminal Court decided in November to lift the suspension of the trial of the rebel leader Thomas Lubanga, who is accused of enlisting and conscripting children as soldiers and using them to participate actively in the conflict in the Ituri region in northeastern Congo.

In advance of the January 2009 election of six new judges to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Human Rights Watch writes to request your assistance in ensuring the election of the most highly qualified candidates.

Human Rights Watch writes to President François Bozizé of the Central African Republic on the continuing lack of accountability for extensive human rights abuses committed in CAR, by both government forces and rebels, since 2005. Ending this impunity is essential in ending the cycle of violence in CAR and ensuring protection for civilians.

Amid reports that the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is again brutalizing civilians and in advance of the anticipated December 17 Security Council briefing by the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for the LRA-affected areas, we write to urge your government to take steps toward helping to end LRA abuses and paving the way for apprehension of LRA leaders wanted by the International Criminal Court.

As a regional attack on the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) unfolds, all parties should respect international humanitarian law and LRA leaders accused of war crimes who surrender or are captured should be brought to trial.

Recent claims by the Sudanese government that the situation in Darfur is improving are not borne out by reality.

Kenya has a sorry history of entrenching impunity and failing to investigate and prosecute criminal behaviour by senior politicians. The brilliance of the Waki report was in the specificity of its recommendations, the detailed timeline for implementation and provision for communicating the names of those suspected of masterminding the violence to the International Criminal Court should Kenya's leaders fail in their duty to deliver justice.

The request on November 20 by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for arrest warrants for three rebel leaders believed to be responsible for attacks on international peacekeepers in Darfur is an important step toward protecting those who protect civilians.