Introduction: Prosecutor (02:39)

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International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo arrives in the Congo to investigate war crimes. He explains to villagers why he is putting one of their leaders on trial for mass murder.

International Criminal Court (06:55)

The ICC was formed to step in when individual states do not act against war crimes and other atrocities. On July 14, 2008, Moreno-Ocampo calls for the arrest of Omar al-Bashir, the president of Sudan.

Moreno-Ocampo's Background (02:51)

Moreno-Ocampo hails from Argentina where, in the 1980s, he prosecuted political leaders for torturing, raping, and disappearing citizens. He returns to Buenos Aires where he discusses aspects of those trials and his path to the ICC.

Preparing for First Prosecution (05:22)

Moreno-Ocampo continues to wait for a decision about al-Bashir. He and his team prepare to prosecute Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga, who has been charged with using child soldiers.

Historic Trials (03:07)

Moreno-Ocampo encounters Ben Ferencz. The elder prosecutor revisits aspects of the Nazi criminal trials at Nuremburg. Nations gather in Rome in 1998 to apply the Nuremburg concept to the whole world.

ICC Success? (05:19)

Moreno-Ocampo makes final preparations for the Lubanga trial as pundits on television criticize his case. He delivers opening arguments; scholar Mahmood Mamdani is doubtful the court will be effective in its mission.

Gaza War Revelation (04:35)

BBC broadcaster Jeremy Paxman asks Moreno-Ocampo about aspects of the Lubanga case. The prosecutor alludes to having had contact with a Palestinian official, raising legal and political questions regarding Palestine, Israel, and the United States.

Prosecution Setback (05:20)

Moreno-Ocampo travels to Davos, Switzerland to meet world leaders. The first witness in the Lubanga trial changes his testimony, denying he was a child soldier. The ICC prepares its case against Mathieu Ngudjolo.

Warrant Granted (04:22)

In March 2009, the ICC issues a warrant for al-Bashir for war crimes, not genocide. Sudan’s president retaliates by expelling 13 international aid groups from Darfur. Moreno-Ocampo needs the aid of sovereign states to arrest his target.

Prosecution Strategy (03:19)

Moreno-Ocampo defends his strategy in Sudan during an interview with a Canadian journalist. Al-Bashir travels to six countries. Moreno-Ocampo appeals to get genocide added to the charges on the Sudanese president’s warrant.

No World Order (02:36)

The al-Bashir case has provided fodder for ICC critics gathered at an international conference in London. Barrister Geoffrey Nice, who prosecuted Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic, has doubts abour international justice.

Reassuring Darfuris (04:36)

Registrar Silvana Arbia visits Darfuri refugees in Chad. One man complains about al-Bashir's recent travels without arrest. The Sudanese president and his allies accuse the ICC of bias against Africa.

ICC Involvement (04:09)

Jay Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice tries to convince Moreno-Ocampo to stay away from issues related to the Gaza conflict. Critics doubt the ICC will become involved in Israel and the United States' campaign in Afghanistan.

Atrocities in Uganda (05:05)

Matthew Brubaker has been working on the ICC’s case against Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony. His target commands the Lord’s Resistance Army that uses child soldiers; one of his top commanders may want to defect.

Criminal Detention (03:54)

Once the ICC issues a warrant, prosecutors must wait for a member nation to make an arrest. Ngudjolo has been arrested and is awaiting trial in the Hague. Prosecutor Eric MacDonald practices his opening speech.

Zumbe Visit (05:33)

Many young witnesses testify they were child soldiers for Lubanga. Moreno-Ocampo travels to the Congo to investigate reports of threats against witnesses. Locals describe atrocities.

Cycle of Reprisals (04:12)

Moreno-Ocampo travels to Bogoro, where Ngudjolo and his followers are said to have massacred villagers with machetes. Victims often become perpetrators and vice versa.

UN Rescue Mission (06:33)

Brubaker is in Goma helping soldiers escape the militias. The soldiers are under the command of another warlord wanted by the ICC, Bosco Ntaganda.

Challenging Court Authority (06:26)

Al-Bashir announces a visit to Uganda, his first attempt to visit an ICC member country. Moreno-Ocampo travels to Kampala to meet with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, but there are complications.

Fugitive President (06:43)

Many African leaders want the U.N. Security Council to stop the case against al-Bashir. Moreno-Ocampo travels to New York to state his case; genocide is now on the list of charges. Ferencz is sworn in as an honorary prosecutor.

Credits: Prosecutor (01:39)

Credits: Prosecutor