Victims’ perspectives on participation in the Ongwen Case: justice in victims’ interests

The Ongwen case has so far involved one of the largest number of victims represented before the International Criminal Court, both in terms of participation in trial proceedings (4,095) and potential beneficiaries for reparations (49,772). This piece offers some new insights following the trial from victims represented by both victim legal teams that are not captured in victims’ statements or submissions before the Court. It draws on additional interviews with victims after the completion of the trial and sentencing, but before the reparation order issued in the case. It focuses on three elements — victims’ role in proceedings; how victims felt they were represented before the Court; and victims’ satisfaction with the outcome of the proceedings.