International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda in 2011

United States views on international law (based on the document “Digest of U.S. Practice in International Law”): On June 24, 2011 the ICTR handed down several convictions, including one against the former Minister of Women's Development in Rwanda, Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, on charges of genocide and rape as a crime against humanity, among other crimes. A June 25, 2011 State Department Press Statement, available at (internet link) state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/06/167079.htm, highlighted the significance of the convictions:

Developments

The United States welcomes the June 24 International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) conviction of Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, former Rwandan Minister of Women's Development and her son, Arsene Shalom Ntahobali, both of whom were convicted for genocide and rape as a crime against humanity, among other crimes. The court also convicted former civilian officials Sylvain Nsabimana, Joseph Kanyabashi and Élie Ndayambaje and former Lt. Colonel Alphonse Nteziryayo, as part of the same indictment. The court sentenced Nyiramasuhuko, Ntahobali and Ndayambaje to life imprisonment, and Kanyabashi, Nteziryayo and Nsabimana to 35, 30 and 25 years respectively.

This ruling is an important step in providing justice and accountability for the Rwandan people and the international community. This conviction is a significant milestone because it demonstrates that rape is a crime of violence and it can be used as a tool of war by both men and women. Nyiramasuhuko was convicted for her role in aiding and abetting rapes and for her responsibility as a superior who ordered rapes committed by members of the Interahamwe militia.

There are still nine ICTR fugitives at-large and the United States urges all countries to redouble their cooperation with the ICTR so that these fugitives can be expeditiously arrested and brought to justice.

Details

Later, in November 2011, the ICTR rendered its judgment against the former mayor of the Rwandan town of Kivumu. A November 18, 2011 State Department Press Statement, available at (internet link) state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/11/177351.htm, explained:

Yesterday the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) convicted Gregoire Ndahimana, former Rwandan Mayor of Kivumu, for genocide and crimes against humanity. The court sentenced Ndahimana to 15 years.

The United States welcomes this ruling as an important step in providing justice and accountability for the Rwandan people and the international community. The conviction of Mr. Ndahimana is of particular significance, because as mayor of Kivumu he had authority over the police, and yet failed to prevent the massacre of more than 1,500 people who sought refuge and protection in Nyange Church. Militia, police, civil and religious authorities participated in bulldozing the church, burying the refugees sheltered inside.

There are still nine ICTR fugitives at-large and the United States urges all countries to redouble their cooperation with the ICTR so that these fugitives can be expeditiously arrested and brought to justice.

More about the Issue

Finally, on December 21, 2011, the ICTR convicted the former president and vice president of the National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development (“MRND”) on charges of conspiracy to commit genocide, among other charges. In a December 27, 2011 State Department Press Statement, available at (internet link) state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/12/179717.htm, the United States also welcomed the issuance of these judgments:

International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda in 2011

United States views on international law (based on the document “Digest of U.S. Practice in International Law”): On December 21, 2011, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) convicted Mathieu Ngirumpatse, former National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND) President, and Edouard Karemera, former Minister of Interior and former MRND Vice President, on charges of conspiracy to commit genocide, direct and public incitement of genocide, crimes against humanity and serious violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol II. Due to their role in a joint criminal enterprise “to destroy the Tutsi population,” the Trial Chamber found Ngirumpatse and Karemera responsible not only for their own criminal acts, but also for the criminal acts committed by others as part of that enterprise, including widespread rape and sexual assault against Tutsi women and girls. The court sentenced Ngirumpatse and Karemera to life in prison. Co-defendant Joseph Nzirorera, former Secretary General of the MRND, passed away July 1, 2010.

More about International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda

The United States welcomes this ruling as an important step in providing justice and accountability for the Rwandan people and the international community. The defendants were among the leadership of the dominant party in the interim government, the same party that established the Interahamwe militia, which played a leading role in the 1994 genocide.

Developments

There are still nine ICTR fugitives at-large, and the United States urges all countries to redouble their cooperation with the ICTR so that these fugitives can be expeditiously arrested and brought to justice.

International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

Embracing mainstream international law, this section on international criminal tribunal for rwanda explores the context, history and effect of the area of the law covered here.

International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda

In relation to the international law practice and International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda in this world legal Encyclopedia, please see the following section:

International Criminal Law

About this subject:

International, Hybrid, and Other Tribunals

Under this topic, in the Encyclopedia, find out information on International Criminal Court. Note: there is detailed information and resources, in relation with these topics during the year 2011, covered by the entry, in this law Encyclopedia, about International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

Resources

See Also

  • International Criminal Law
  • Tribunals
  • International Criminal Court
  • International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda

Resources

Further Reading

  • The entry “international criminal tribunal for rwanda” in the Parry and Grant Encyclopaedic Dictionary of International Law (currently, the Encyclopaedic Dictionary of International Law, 2009), Oxford University Press

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *