Here at Enough, we often swap emails with interesting articles and feature stories that we come across in our favorite publications and on our favorite websites. We wanted to share some of these stories with you as part of our effort to keep you up to date on what you need to know in the world of anti-genocide and crimes against humanity work.
Gearing up for the ICC Review Conference in Kampala, Uganda this week and next, Bridget Conley-Zilkic interviewed Diane Orentlicher, deputy in the Office of War Crimes Issues at the Department of State, for the Voices on Genocide Prevention podcast series. Prof. Orentlicher talked about what the United States hopes to see happen in Kampala, now that the U.S. is engaging in the ICC as a non-state party observer. She also diplomatically, but substantively, discussed the hot topic of the crime of aggression.
Hereway Holland put together a useful Reuters Factbox on the political climate in Rwanda and some trends to watch in the lead up to national elections in August. Covering potential rifts in Rwanda’s ruling party, crackdowns on opposition groups, regional considerations, and even the stability of the country’s stock market, it’s a good primer for those planning to follow what’s sure to be an eventful, and hopefully peaceful, election season.
Opening tonight in select theaters, Living in Emergency follows four doctors with Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, through stints in eastern Congo and post-conflict Liberia. It was the first time MSF permitted a film crew to capture the day-to-day experiences of those working in the field, and the film was shortlisted for an Oscar in the Documentary Feature category. Here are some additional details about the film and the trailer:
Foreign Policy and Washington Post reporter Colum Lynch was a guest on PRI’s The World this week, where he talked about his recent piece, 10 Worst U.N. Security Council Resolutions Ever (which we recommended in last week’s 5 Best Stories). Host Marco Werman asked the longtime United Nations watcher some interesting questions about how the world body operates – things you probably didn’t realize you wanted to know, but are now you glad you do. (Like does the U.N. ever retire resolutions? Is there any rhyme or reason to the numbers?)
Taking advantage of all the dignitaries coming to town for the ICC Review Conference, the Africa Youth Initiative Network led by Victor Ochen organized a soccer match to highlight the plight of war crimes survivors from the central African countries where the ICC has open cases. Ochen’s organization convinced U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to suit up for the match, and Mark Leon Goldberg previewed the event on U.N. Dispatch, including some details about Goldberg’s chance meeting with Ochen in 2008.