International Criminal Tribunals for
Rwanda We were fortunate to be invited inside the
ICTR and to watch part of a trial.
The tribunal was set up by the UN in 1995
with the more cynical expressing the view
that it was an act of conscience by that
body for being so ineffective during the
crisis itself.
The ICTR was established in Tanzania because
the Tutsis took charge of Rwanda after the
1994 genocide and it was not felt that Hutus
would receive a fair trial in their own country.
There are many cases being tried for genocide
and rape. (It underscored the fact that
rape and sexual violence may constitute genocide
in the same way as any other act of serious
bodily or mental harm, as long as such acts
were committed with the intent to destroy
a particular group targeted as such.)
The first trial at the ICTR started in January
1997, following the arrival of the first
accused to Arusha in May 1996. During our
visit in October 2008 we were given these
statistics
- 29 cases completed with convictions, 5
acquitted, 2 transferred to overseas courts.
- 4 released after completing sentence, 3 deceased
(before trial, in jail, after release)
- 29 cases in progress
- 1 case on appeal
- 9 awaiting trial
A number of people are still on the
run and not found. It is difficult
to be precise on the exact number as the
ICTR does not always publish the names of
those it wishes to detain for fear that they
will escape.
Those accused/convicted include the Prime
Minister, Government Officials, military
commanders, the press owners and
one journalist, musicians, senior businessmen,
a doctor, a Youth Organiser, and several
clergy.
All except one of the Government Officials
were brought to trial.
Those convicted are held in prisons in Mali,
Republic of Benin, Swaziland, Italy, Sweden
and France.
The cases were due to be completed by the
end of 2008 and all appeals heard by 2010 but
it is likely to carry on for a few more years.
