Roundup: ICC Investigates Africa, Pope Acknowledges Injustice in Latin America, Guilty Verdicts in Serbian Assassination, Yemeni Jailed on Terrrorism, Pakistani Troops Rearming Congolese Militias.

International Criminal Court Investigates War Crimes in Central African Republic

The International Criminal Court (ICC) launched an investigation into allegations of "massives rapes and other acts of sexual violence" perpetrated by officials of the Central African Republic (CAR).  The top courts in CAR had referred the former President Ange Felix Patasse and Congolese rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bamba to the ICC for war crimes because the CAR was not capable of prosecution.  The incidents are alleged to have occurred during a coupe in October, 2002, to overthrow the current CAR regime.  The investigation is not currently focusing on any particular individuals.  It is the fourth ICC investigation since its inception in 2002, all of which are in Africa.

Sexual violence has a lingering social effect of degradation on women in African cultures.  Victims describe gang rapes and public rapes in the presence of family members.  Many of the victimized women have contracted HIV, leaving them stigmatized in their communities.

Pope Benedict Cites Injustices in Latin America

Facing criticism from many Latin American leaders, including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Pope Benedict stated that the Church had committed "various injustices" during its colonization of Latin America in the 15^th century.  Millions of native Latin Americans were slaughtered as a result of European intervention.  The Pope, however, said that the Church did not impose itself during its conquest, stating that indigenous Americans were "silently longing" for Christianity. 

Guilty Verdicts in Assassination of Serbian Prime Minister

Twelve men were found guilty in a Serbian court for the 2003 assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic in Belgrade.  The prime minister was shot by a sniper while getting out of his car outside a government building.  The prosecution has argued that a former policeman, Zvezdan Jovanovic, issued a statement claiming he had "liquidated Zoran Djindic personally."  It is suspected that Djindjic was murdered for his measures to bring suspected war criminals to prosecution.

Yemeni Implicated in Lackawanna Cell

Yemeni officials have informed the FBI they have Jaber A. Elbenah in custody, a year after he escaped from a Yemeni prison.  Elbenah is alleged to have been associated with the "Lackawanna Six", a suspected al Qa'ida cell uncovered in 2002.  Elbenah is charged with training at the al-Farooq camp in Afghanistan.  The United States recognizes material support of terrorism as a war crime.

Pakistani Troops Aiding UN Mission Trading Gold for Guns

Pakistani battalions supporting the UN peacekeeping forcing in the Congo have been trading gold for guns, according to the BBC.  The UN has uncovered incidents of Pakistani forces re-arming militias accused of some of the worst human rights abuses in the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  A UN team sent to investigate the abuses had a stand-off with Pakistani troops when UN personnel attempted to seize computers as evidence of the gun-for-gold trades.  UN officials in New York have stated that the United Nations had largely attempted to bury this investigation for political reasons.  Pakistan, a main US ally, has stated they will look into the allegations. 

Roundup compiled from various wire services and BBC World News.