1. ICTR
Katherine Despot

2. How does the ICTR function. What new precedents are being set
How does the ICTR function? What new precedents are being set? What difficulties are being experienced?

3. Introduction
The Rwandan Genocide was the systematic murder of the country's Tutsi minority by the Hutu militias in 1994
From April to mid-July, at least 800,000 Tutsis and thousands of Hutus were killed

4. The Security Council under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter created the ICTR on 8 November 1994

5. Purpose of the ICTR
To contribute to the process of national reconciliation in Rwanda and to the maintenance of peace in the region

6. How does the ICTR function?

7. Jurisdiction
The ICTR has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, violations of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II. For crimes committed by Rwandans in the territory of Rwanda and neighbouring states, as well as non-Rwandan citizens for crimes committed in Rwanda, between 1 January to 31 December 1994.

8. Location The Tribunal is located in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania

9. Budget & Staff
The ICTR's budget proceeds from UN member states' contributions
1,042 posts for

10. ICTR structure Chambers Office of the prosecution Registry
3 Trial Chambers
Chambers
President
Appeals Chamber
Office of the prosecution
Prosecution
Prosecutor
Appeals & legal advisory
Judicial & legal services
Registry
Registrar
administration
Witness support & protection
Outreach programme

11. Achievements 21 trials completed 28 convictions 11 trials in progress
14 detainees awaiting trial

12. What new precedents are being set?

13. The first enforcement of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
The first head of government to be convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity, Rwandan prime minister, Jean Kambanda
The tribunal has established that rape and sexual violence may constitute genocide

14. The Tribunal is developing a concept of restitutive justice by assisting victims of crimes, usually witnesses and their families
The first time that a jury of citizens from one country (Belgium) had judged defendants for war crimes committed in another (Rwanda)
International legal obligations and criminal responsibilities directly extended to individuals for violations of international humanitarian law

15. What difficulties are being experienced?

16. Politics play an important role in International judicial intervention
The ICTR costs millions of dollars per year to operate
The process is very slow. Trials at the ICTR are more time-consuming than domestic trials
Indictment and apprehension of suspects and accused are only within the partial control of the Tribunal. The cooperation of states is essential

17. In Arusha prisoners live in greater comfort than surviving victims
The focus of the prosecution strategy is to concentrate on people who bear the greatest responsibility of the crimes committed

18. There is no punishment severe enough for crimes like genocide

19. Questions or Comments?

20. Bibliography
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda About the tribunal: General information. [Online]. Available: [29 March 2008].
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda About the tribunal: Structure of the ICTR. [Online]. Available: [29 March 2008].
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda About the tribunal: Fact sheets. [Online]. Available: [29 March 2008].
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda About the tribunal: ICTR completion strategy. [Online]. Available: [29 March 2008].
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda Basic legal texts: Statute of the tribunal. [Online]. Available: [29 March 2008].
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda Cases: Status of cases. [Online]. Available: [29 March 2008].
Jones, J.R.W.D The practice of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. 2nd Edition. Ardsley, NY: Transnational Publishers.
Judging genocide; Prosecuting war crimes. 16 June The Economist.
Roht-Arriaza, N Institutions of international justice. Journal of International Affairs, 52(2):
Scheffer, D. J International judicial intervention. Foreign Policy,(Spring).