{"title":"Proportionality and Moral Blameworthiness in Ongwen’s icc Sentencing Decision","authors":"Demetra Fr. Sorvatzioti","doi":"10.1163/15718123-bja10159","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The icc ’s legal framework combines continental and common law features. The sentencing regime provides for a separate hearing process unknown to the continentals. The principle of proportionality governs sentencing determination. Proportionality is met by analysing gravity and moral blameworthiness. In Ongwen , the icc should address his moral blameworthiness by considering his unique dual status as a former abducted child soldier and perpetrator, the expert evidence regarding the lra and the Acholi culture and history. The Court sentenced Ongwen in a rather formal traditional continental way. However, conviction is not the icc ’s ultimatum, and sentencing should not be a pure side effect of conviction. When the icc tries cases of non-western peoples, it is essential to express its understanding and respect for diversity. By addressing cultural, social, and historical aspects of the case and the offender as part of the sentencing reasoning, the icc performs the balancing process needed for proportionality.","PeriodicalId":55966,"journal":{"name":"International Criminal Law Review","volume":"74 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8000,"publicationDate":"2023-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Criminal Law Review","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1163/15718123-bja10159","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"LAW","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Abstract The icc ’s legal framework combines continental and common law features. The sentencing regime provides for a separate hearing process unknown to the continentals. The principle of proportionality governs sentencing determination. Proportionality is met by analysing gravity and moral blameworthiness. In Ongwen , the icc should address his moral blameworthiness by considering his unique dual status as a former abducted child soldier and perpetrator, the expert evidence regarding the lra and the Acholi culture and history. The Court sentenced Ongwen in a rather formal traditional continental way. However, conviction is not the icc ’s ultimatum, and sentencing should not be a pure side effect of conviction. When the icc tries cases of non-western peoples, it is essential to express its understanding and respect for diversity. By addressing cultural, social, and historical aspects of the case and the offender as part of the sentencing reasoning, the icc performs the balancing process needed for proportionality.
期刊介绍:
Thus there is also a need for criminological, sociological and historical research on the issues of ICL. The Review publishes in-depth analytical research that deals with these issues. The analysis may cover: • the substantive and procedural law on the international level; • important cases from national jurisdictions which have a bearing on general issues; • criminological and sociological; and, • historical research.