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UPDATES
VRWG joint Event - Forum for Victims of Systemic Crimes in Africa, Banjul, Gambia, 13-14 April 2012
REDRESS - Statement presented at the 10th Assembly of States Parties in New York, 14 December 2011
VRWG Event - Flyer Victims, Reparations and the ICC: Challenges and Opportunities, 13 December 2011
May 30, 2010
Victims of War Play Football with UN Secretary General
On Sunday 30 May 2010, the Uganda Victims Foundation (UVF), a coalition of human rights and civil society NGOs in Uganda, working with victims and on victims' rights, and the African Youth Initiative Network (AYINET), Uganda's national youth NGO working to support victims and affected community's participation in promoting peace and justice, with the support of No Peace Without Justice, organised what will remain a historical football game. The victims of war football game!
Ahead of the Review Conference which was to open the next day in Kampala, the NGOs brought together state delegates from around the world, human rights activists and hundreds of victims from the north of Uganda for a symbolic game. Under the cheers of spectators who made the trip to Nambole National Stadium in Kampala, victims from Northern Uganda and State delegates played together and shared a memorable afternoon.
One of the highlights of the game was the entry on the field of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, and Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General, who joined opposing teams "dignity" and "justice" for the end of the game.
As expressed by the UNSG, "this game [sent] a powerful message." He underlined the bravery of those who played highlighting that "instead of being crushed, [they] fought back; instead of giving up, [they] reclaimed [their] dignity [.]". 8 years after the entry into force of the Rome Statute, victims are at the heart of the international justice efforts instituted by the Rome Statute system. Victims and affected communities have seen the Review Conference as an opportunity to have their voices heard and to bring their views and concerns to the attention of decision makers who met in Kampala.
This symbolic afternoon paved the way to two weeks of intense discussions on the revision of the Rome statute as well as the stocktaking exercise on its impact. Ahead of numerous panels and side events discussing the Court's impact on victims and affected communities, this game brought victims themselves to the front of the scene, in a game where all were declared winners.
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