ICC's Uganda Probe Must Protect Witnesses
Court Needs to Investigate Crimes by All Sides in Northern Uganda's Conflict

(New York, July 29, 2004) - In its investigation in Northern Uganda, the
International Criminal Court must ensure protection for witnesses and victims,
Human Rights Watch said today. The court needs to investigate serious crimes
committed by all sides to the conflict in order to ensure justice and promote
sustainable peace.

Today, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor has announced that it will initiate an
investigation in Uganda. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had referred the
situation in Northern Uganda to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in
January.

According to Human Rights Watch research, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)
has engaged in the abduction, execution, torture, mutilation, rape, and sexual
assault of thousands of Ugandan civilians, including children. In the past two
years, the rebel group has kidnapped approximately 12,000 children for use as
soldiers, laborers, and sexual slaves. Abductees are typically threatened with
death should they refuse to follow orders that can include killing civilians and
abducting other children.

"It is essential that the ICC take measures to guard witnesses and victims from
reprisals," said Richard Dicker, director of the International Justice program at
Human Rights Watch. "This is a necessary step to protect those that are willing to
step forward."

Human Rights Watch urged the ICC to provide adequate protection for witnesses
and victims. Specifically, the investigation should be undertaken in a way that
does not imperil the lives of those children still held captive by rebel forces. The
deployment of additional child-protection personnel and human rights monitors in
Northern Uganda is of utmost importance.

In addition to crimes committed by the LRA, Human Rights Watch has also
reported abuses by Ugandan government forces. As they prepare to deploy for
their investigation in Northern Uganda, ICC investigators should be prepared to
act appropriately on any credible allegation of crimes committed by either side.

"It is imperative that the ICC conducts an impartial investigation in Uganda," said
Richard Dicker. "The ICC has the authority to investigate crimes committed by
all sides in the conflict, not just the Lord's Resistance Army."
The Ugandan parliament ratified the ICC treaty in June 2002. In so doing, Uganda
has committed itself to cooperating with the ICC to investigate crimes, provide
evidence and arrest and hand over individuals sought by the court.

"We expect the Ugandan government to cooperate with the ICC investigation and
help provide for the safety of both victims and witnesses," Dicker said.

For Human Rights Watch's reports on abuses linked to the conflict in Northern
Uganda, please see "Abducted and Abused: Renewed Conflict in Northern
Uganda" at http://www.hrw.org/reports/2003/uganda0703/, and "Stolen Children:
Abduction and Recruitment in Northern Uganda" at
http://hrw.org/reports/2003/uganda0303/