Transitional Justice Initiatives for Victims in the Central African Republic: A Case Study of the ICC Prosecution against Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo

Abstract

This thesis explores the feelings expressed by non-governmental organizations and victims regarding the International Criminal Court Appeals Chamber’s acquittal of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo in June 2018, as well as their participation in the proceedings concerning the atrocities allegedly committed by the Movement for the Liberation of Congo forces. Using reflective thematic analysis, the research captures feelings expressed following the acquittal, categorized into four themes: responses to the Chamber of Appeal’s decision, perceptions of the Court as an institution, reflections on past participation at the Court, and assessments of reparative measures resulting from Bemba’s prosecution. The findings indicate a predominantly negative perception of the Court and victim participation post-acquittal, echoing scholars’ criticisms of transitional justice efforts. This implies the need for a more inclusive approach to victim participation that is aligned with restorative justice principles. The thesis utilized artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT and Grammarly to correct spelling and grammar errors and improve sentence clarity.