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The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) upheld the conviction of Florence Hartmann for contempt of Court in an appeal judgement delivered on Tuesday 19 July. The Appeal Chamber sentenced her to pay a fine of 7 000 euros, the same amount as in first instance. The French journalist and former spokesperson and advisor to the ICTY Chief Prosecutor condemns a verdict that sets new limits to freedom of speech in violation of international standards and of the European Convention for Human Rights. With this final judgement, the ICTY re-imposes a form of censorship aiming to protect international judges from all forms of criticism.
By convicting Florence Hartmann on the sly, just a few days before the closing of the Tribunal for vacation, without even a legal hearing, the ICTY confirms the fears of its most devoted supporters and justifies the criticisms of its fiercest opponents:
- YES International Justice obeys to political interests that have few in common with the missions that have been assigned to it;
- NO it does not work for the sole benefit of establishing the truth as a condition of a long lasting peace.
This verdict is basically unacceptable for it dangers :
- The transparency in International Justice
- Free speech and the Right of the public to receive information.
- The right of the victims to know the truth and to get compensation
- The possibility of an actual reconciliation in the region
We cannot accept this judgement and we now have to contest it to all the competent authorities.
Florence Hartmann will define her strategy with her counsels.
As for us, we strongly express our unconditional support for the actions she will undertake.
We are now considering how to deal with this new conviction.
Please contact us for any suggestions, comment or information.
We will get back to you very soon.
- Nanou Rousseau, Élisabeth Samarcq, Dominique Dupuy Fédération Nationale des Mères pour la Paix,
- Faik Dizdarevic, Maurice Lazar et André Prochasson Association Sarajevo