The International Criminal Court gave its first sentence on Tuesday, imprisoning Thomas Lubanga to 14 years for using child soldiers. Lubanga, 51, was convicted in March for recruiting and using children in his Union of Congolese Patriots militia, sending them to kill and be killed while fighting in Congo’s eastern Ituri region in 2002-2003. Presiding Judge Adrian Fulford gave Lubanga three sentences of 13, 12, and 14 years for conscripting, enlisting, and using child soldiers, but the sentences will be served concurrently.
Judge Fulford said the sentence reflected the need to protect children in wartime. “The vulnerability of children means they need to be afforded particular protection,” Fulford said during the sentencing hearing. The case was held as a milestone by rights activists in efforts to prosecute the widespread of child soldiers in conflicts worldwide.
