Joshua Robinson

12/15/14

4-B

Arthur Mobo Mock Trial Opening Statement: Prosecution

It is fact that in war, atrocities are going to be committed, this is part of war and without a

doubt will almost always happen, but with everything there is a point, a point in which the

atrocities goes so far that they cannot go unpunished. The accused before us, Commander in

Chief of the Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Shansau (PFLS), also notably being one of the

original founders of the rebel group. Arthur Mabo stands before us with actions that are in direct

violation of the Roman Statute of the International Criminal Court. It is fact that the PFLS used

children in their conflict and as a world that has begun global peace and world globalization

through terms of the UN, I can speak for all of us especially that of us that have children, that

using children is unacceptable for our age, an age of civil decency and modesty. The accused is

facing up to four of the following charges: Conscripting Children Under the age of 15 years into

armed forces, Enlisting Children into Armed Groups, Using Children to participate actively in

Armed Conflict and is being charged with death and suffering of Alia Rutus son, though, well

let her lawyers deal with that one. The defense is going to play that Mabo was ignorant,

oblivious, and the actions committed within the PFLS are justifiable and that Charles Utu is the

real one at fault because he was present during raids of children and more so of occurring

conflicts when Mabo was always at strategic meetings. Mabo may also try to claim Utu

disobeyed orders. They may also play that Mabos and the PFLSs actions are directly justifiable

by how he and the people of the PFLS, namely the Lago, were kicked out of Shansau by the

Kani. We as the people must also consider the perhaps true intent of taking Shansau by the PFLS,
a country which is rich in mineral. What I ask you is to consider what is the possible true

reasoning behind Mabo and his colleagues actions.

It is factual and this is non-debatable, the PFLS had children soldiers. Many accounts

testify to this. Many of these children are under the age of 15 years old. Anna Kabolo, was taken

from her home at only the age of only 10 years old. She was taken by force and the rebels

personally attacked her school, a school in which many other children were around the same age

group were taken. Anna Kabolo will tell us of how she witnessed others, others that disobeyed,

children that refused to be part of the PFLS agenda who were beaten and slaughtered. She will

claim that she had no choice and it is factual of the PFLS as a whole. She will come right out and

say, with Arthur Mabo in the court, that she came face to face with a obviously aware Mabo at

the age of 10 years old and served him food and clothes, when she spilled his drink he then

proceeded to threaten her life. She will tells us of how the only reason she could not serve in

conflict at first, was because at the ago 10 in the conflict was she was too small to handle a

weapon, but was trained until 11 and a half, upon reaching this age she became a full fledge

soldier. Mabo was aware of what was to come and the fact he had a gun with him means it was

within war areas. This is conscription of children under the age of 15 and is undeniable the PFLS

as a whole is guilty of this. Mabo witnessed her awaringly serve him during conflicting times

and the defense is going to have a hard time saying that Mabo was unaware of children under

the age of 15 being in the presence of the Military.

Thinking on the subject, some may think that, its possible that some children were not

forced by the PFLS and Mabo but though this may be true. Its still illegal that children are

enlisted and witnesses point that the children were enlisted through uses of promises. Alia Rutu
had her two eldest sons taken by the PFLS, Ishmael at age 9 and his older brother Emmanuel at

13, only Ishmael came back and he tells of his story. He tells us of how leaders promised him

food and protection to join. The subordinate leaders of Mabo are guilty of enlisting children,

thereby , Mabo is subjectable to prosecution because of Roman Statue Article 28.

From what I have clarified so far, children have been used by the PFLS so far, but lets go

more in depth shall we? Many witnesses are stating how they served in the PFLS: Kalobo was

taken from school, Rutus son, Ishmael and his brother, and now lets introducing Partick

Bateman as the somewhat outsider of the conflict who come in towards the end, he comes from

Canada and was trained by the UN, then was sent to the conflict to help the children, he

personally says that he was traumatized at the sight of all the children soldiers, some of which he

was forced to shoot against. The only thing the defense has got against Mabo is accounts from

Tomas Gaba, saying that he never saw the atrocities of the PFLS and credits Mabo for helping

his people, but I ask you this honorable judges, is Gaba really prove the defense's case. He also

helps our case and contradicts himself in a few statements. He will tell us how he joined at 14

year old, perhaps lying and saying he was 18, but he will then state that its possible they only

believed him because all of the other children looked up to him. He states he lied to be treated as

an adult meaning he was there before they thought he was an adult. At 16 he was given assistant

to the leader and was ordered to beat other children. Though he did not receive orders from

Mabo he got orders from his leader who got orders from the 2nd in command, Charles Utu, who

got orders from Mabo, making Mabo subjectable to charges on these orders.