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Law International

A Conviction in Question

The First Trial at the International Criminal Court

by (author) Jim Freedman

Publisher
University of Toronto Press
Initial publish date
Nov 2017
Category
International, Developing Countries, Criminology, General, General
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781487502898
    Publish Date
    Nov 2017
    List Price
    $43.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781487516253
    Publish Date
    Oct 2017
    List Price
    $33.95

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Description

A lively narrative account of the first case to appear at the International Criminal Court, A Conviction in Question documents the trial of Union of Congolese Patriots leader and warlord, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo. Although Dyilo’s crimes, including murder, rape, and the forcible conscription of child soldiers, were indisputable, legal wrangling and a clash of personalities caused the trial to be prolonged for an unprecedented six years. This book offers an accessible account of the rapid evolution of international law and the controversial trial at the foundation of the International Criminal Court.

 

The first book to thoroughly examine Dyilo’s trial, A Conviction in Question looks at the legal issues behind each of the trial’s critical moments, including the participation of Dyilo’s victims at the trial and the impact of witness protection. Through eye-witness observation and analysis, Jim Freedman shows that the trial suffered from all the problems associated with ordinary criminal law trials, and uses Dyilo’s case to further comment on the role of international courts in a contemporary global context.

About the author

Jim Freedman is on leave from the University of Western Ontario, serving as Programme Analyst in the Office of the Iraq Programme at the United Nations in New York.

Jim Freedman's profile page

Editorial Reviews

"Freedman speaks directly with various participants in the trial and details events inside the courtroom… Readers will find themselves in the courtroom of the first ever international court and see how law is made."

Choice Magazine vol 55:10:2018