The National Transitional Council of the Central African Republic (CAR) voted this week to establish a Special Criminal Court within its criminal justice system to try persons accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity since 2003. It will be a hybrid or mixed tribunal, meaning that it will be staffed with a majority of judges from the CAR, with the remainder of judges coming from other countries. It will also have an international prosecutor. The Special Criminal Tribunal will operate in cooperation with the International Criminal Court, which is also investigating certain persons and activities in the CAR. For more information, visit Human Rights Watch
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