A Cage Went in Search of a Bird: On the Politics of Condemnation, Compensation and Convalescence.

This article examines the consequences for individuals accused of atrocity crimes who are publicly scandalized, prosecuted, and later acquitted, focusing on the persistence of reputational damage despite legal exoneration. It critiques the International Criminal Court's (ICC) prosecutorial practices, highlighting a pattern where suspects are often publicly presumed guilty before trial, leading to lasting stigma even when charges are dropped or acquittals occur. Drawing on cases from the ICC and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), the article discusses the limited options for compensation or formal rehabilitation for acquitted persons and explores how some have navigated post-trial life by redefining compensation or leveraging their acquittal politically. Ultimately, it raises ethical and procedural questions about the international justice community's approach to condemnation, compensation, and the long-term effects of scandalization on accused individuals.