Angelina Jolie Attends Congo Warlord Trial In Hague (VIDEO)

A Congolese warlord accused of recruiting children as young as 9 to fight was brought to trial this week by the International Criminal Court. UN Ambassador Angelina Jolie told was there to support the abused children for whom justice is long overdue, according to the Associated Press.

“I’m not attending particularly as a UN Ambassador,” Jolie told the news outlet. “I’m attending just as a concerned citizen of the world who cares about children.”

Witnesses said child recruits were taught combat tactics and were forced to fight during the Democratic Republic of Congo's 1998-2003 conflict, Reuters reports. Commanders raped young girls and forced them to serve as sex slaves.

“I was speaking with many of the men here today who were in fact child soldiers and they say it’s hard for them to even imagine that they’re still asking the international community to enforce this ban,” Jolie told the Associated Press. “It seems like something we shouldn’t be asking for. It seems so obvious that it is so inhumane. It is so unfair.”

A verdict is expected early next year, according to Reuters.

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Comments

[Dusty2]

11:08 PM on 10/10/2011

Regarding Angelina attending this Trail of Congo Warlord agree in her words.."the idea of children as young as 8yrs old, and forcing them to hold weapons and using them as sex slaves"...ect...appreciate she is attending as a concerned citizen no doubt...but to hear several months later Angelina goes with her children to a Paint Ball Event- supposive fun event where her own children and her hold guns and shoot each other is so oxymoronic really!! If your really Angelina about the welfare of children around the world and your own why even show your own children that holding up arms for a game of so called pleasure to me shows a lack of integrity of your mission as an Ambassordor of the UN for Children and their well being. To me ones actions speak louder then words. When one commits to being of service for a cause and her focus is children, well would you not want to set an example to show a more positive way of being more peaceful and reconcile ways of non violence???
Just food for thought.

[Kathleen60]

06:14 PM on 09/02/2011

Please check out this wonderful organization called Falling Whistles that is dedicated to helping the children that are kidnapped and forced into war in the Congo. Be a whistle blower for peace.

www.fallingwhistles.com

[wonder6789]

01:14 PM on 08/30/2011

Terrific woman. Keep it up, Angelina.

[wontbfooledagain]

11:38 AM on 08/30/2011

Would we even know about this warlord trial if Angelina wasn't there? She has so many choices if her motivation was sheer PR. At least in this case, it makes the world community aware of the situation.

[Financial Tyranny]

02:39 PM on 08/29/2011

i've made a career being paid billions to make violent bloody movies ....

but in my free time i like to do volunteer work as a sensitive antiwar humanitarian....

because i want to use my talents for good purposes...

ok mumble lips

[Doobie Snacks]

03:30 PM on 08/29/2011

Sure beats being a plague on humanity known as the Right...

[Financial Tyranny]

02:22 PM on 08/29/2011

Never-mind that Angelina Jolie is the ambassador of The UN/NATO WAR LORDS

[wonder6789]

01:13 PM on 08/30/2011

Please pay my respects to Col. Kadhafi.

[Alois SaintMartin]

12:51 PM on 08/29/2011

Give Blood !

[henrypapillon]

11:16 AM on 08/29/2011

Good publicity! Not all actresses are smart enough to milk publicity from PSA deeds..

[Doobie Snacks]

12:08 PM on 08/29/2011

Not all actresses have humanitarian interests because it brings them publicity...

[Philimanjaro]

12:20 PM on 08/29/2011

I'm not entirely convinced this isn't one of those cases.

[henrypapillon]

07:33 PM on 08/29/2011

But this one doesn't seem too bashful about playing the press like a fiddle.

[ethiopia1a]

10:45 AM on 08/29/2011

It is very refreshing to see a person of hollywood power and beauty taking part and getting a spotlight on this horrible abuse. To me she has a heart of gold. After seeing and hearing so much garbage that most of the so-called movie stars are doing lately it refreshes me. I could really care less about some flashy wedding or who's less than worthy fluff acting is the big news for a day. Angelina has more class and caring in her pinky than hollywood has in there big ole heads. Thanks for letting me share that.

[RedDonnaAnn]

10:39 AM on 08/29/2011

I cannot imagine being a child or a woman and living through this. We are so very, very lucky to live in the 1st World, even though we have hardships and struggles/

Our government is not a saint in terms of our international actions and god knows the world court is slow but I hope things change for DRC. All of Africa, really. God bless the Pitt/Jolie family.

[RedDonnaAnn]

10:33 AM on 08/29/2011

Totally off topic and I love that someone with the money and career that Jolie has is devoting time and getting publicity on such horrific goings ons but... she is starting to have too much work done on her face. It's changing, just like Kidman's did. What a shame.

[TORAHTID]

11:20 AM on 08/29/2011

Sorry sweetheart. She doesnt have the time nor the inclination to 'have work done on her face'. You seem unaware of the power of make-up to enhance a woman's natural beauty or to completely change a face (NB: theatrical mak-eup/stage make-up etc). You also seem unaware of the difference between a fat or chubby face and a slim one.

Angie's face has been both chubby and lean over these 35 years that she has been in the public eye. And you have seen her with make-up; without make-up; and with minimal make-up. Thats all its been. She has neither had botox (see the natural creases when she laughs) nor any other procedure.

[riverhouse]

11:56 AM on 08/31/2011

That forehead does not move, thanks to a heavy dose of Botox.

[UserNameJane]

10:16 AM on 08/29/2011

She is a perfect example of how one grows up after having a somewhat wild childhood and young adult life. Very proud of her.

[Progressneeded]

10:44 AM on 08/29/2011

It depends on what is meant by wild childhood. I don't know if she was ever heavy into drugs and alcohol, but I do remember her as being rebellious against the norm. Those are the kind of kids who do grow up concerned about what is considered to be normal, like war and child slavery! Long live those who question the status quo and know that their is a better way of living than the "Dog eat dog" we have become accustomed to!

[UserNameJane]

10:58 AM on 08/29/2011

Well said.

[riverhouse]

11:56 AM on 08/31/2011

She was very, very heavy into drugs and sex. It's very well documented.

[Simondj]

10:13 AM on 08/29/2011

Who filmed and edited this interview - an eighth grader?

[Ari Sedona]

10:05 AM on 08/29/2011

Has Jenny adopted any kids yet? Monkey see... Monkey do. (except get sweaty in Africa) keep up the good work Angie.

[snowyegret106]

09:56 AM on 08/29/2011

Once again, this woman is doing what comes naturally for her. She is consistent about supporting humanitarian causes and using her wealth to do good. While many criticize her, she just keeps on doing what she can. I wish her example would influence some of our politicians who only care about their personal wealth and criticize the poor and needy. She and Brad Pitt are among my heroes.