The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) this week called on UK lawyers to join a pro bono network of legal professionals he aims to set up around the world to help investigate cases.

Argentinian lawyer Luis Moreno-Ocampo, who took office in June, told reporters at the IBA conference that he initially wanted help over his investigation into alleged human rights abuses by rebels in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Insurgents there are accused of massacring and eating civilians.

A United Nations' panel of experts on the illegal exploitation of natural resources in Congo has identified companies in 25 countries - including the UK - that may have had links with the rebels.

In the event that a direct connection is made between these companies and killings in the Congo - such as money that was knowingly spent on arms - businessmen could join rebel leaders in the dock before the ICC.

The prosecutor's office is already working with national prosecutors but Mr Moreno-Ocampo said commercial lawyers could help him by performing due diligence on suspect companies.

He added that if they had clients with relevant knowledge, he would encourage them to broker confidential agreements to pass on information to his office.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo made a strong link between human rights and commercial work.

'Markets cannot work in hostile environments,' he said, adding that lawyers could also have a role in developing post-conflict markets.

Neil Rose