Mission:
To support international justice mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court and ensure that people affected by the violence have access to information about trials in process.

Background:
The trial of Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, who stands accused of conscripting, enlisting, and using child soldiers in the conflict in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is the first for the International Criminal Court (ICC). As it had for the trial of Liberian rebel leader Charles Taylor in the Hague, the Open Society Institute's Justice Initiative launched the Lubanga site to answer questions about the trial and ensure that the individuals affected by the crimes committed half a world away from the courtroom are able to contribute to and help shape the proceedings.

Outstanding Web Features:
Visitors can access daily reports and weekly summaries of the trial, commentary, legal analysis, and a detailed history of the case against Lubanga, as well as transcripts and live video from the courtroom. Visitors are also encouraged to post questions and comments through the site, which features videos produced by project partner WITNESS as well as articles produced by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting. Most of the information on the site is available for non-commercial distribution under a Creative Commons license.