It is now 30 years since the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha
IRMCT Principals commemorate 30 years since the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda which operated in Northern Tanzania, for two decades, following the 1994 Genocide.
The Hague
On the occasion of the Thirtieth Anniversary of the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, various officials marked the memorial event.
The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (UN-ICTR) operated from Arusha City, in Northern Tanzania for more than 20 years before morphing into the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals which is also in Arusha.
The Principals of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), President Graciela Gatti Santana, Prosecutor Serge Brammertz and Registrar Abubacarr Tambadou, reflected on the ICTR’s legacy and impact.
Joining them was the President of the Association of Defense Counsel practicing before the International Courts and Tribunals (ADC-ICT), Dragan Ivetić.
President Graciela Gatti Santana:
“Thirty years ago today, the Security Council established the ICTR calling for global cooperation to bring to justice those responsible for the genocide against the Tutsi.
And indeed, its judgements against political, military, and civilian leaders have shown the world’s resolve against impunity, regardless of the position of the perpetrator.
The ICTR stands as a cornerstone of modern international justice, setting powerful precedents in both law and procedure.
As the first court to convict for genocide and recognize rape as an act of genocide, it sparked global efforts to confront and combat sexual violence in conflict.
None of this would have been possible without the courage of thousands of witnesses, many of them survivors of unspeakable crimes, whose testimonies were essential to delivering justice. Their bravery in contributing to a process dedicated to truth and lasting peace is a large part of the ICTR’s legacy.
As the President of the Mechanism, which inherited the continuing responsibilities of the ICTR, I am committed to ensuring our work upholds and amplifies its legacy.
The ICTR remains a beacon in the fight against genocide denial and historical revisionism, showing how accountability can coexist with fairness. Preserving this legacy is vital to building a future where justice, truth, and fairness triumph over impunity and vengeance.”
Prosecutor Serge Brammertz:
“The ICTR established the truth of what occurred: that, between 6 April 1994 and 17 July 1994, there was a genocide in Rwanda against the Tutsi ethnic group. It held 61 individuals accountable for their crimes, including many senior leaders. The suffering of the victims and survivors has been clearly established in a court of law.
30 years after the Genocide and the ICTR’s establishment, the work is not done. There are still more than 1,000 fugitive génocidaires who need to be accounted for.
My Office is working intensively with our partners in Rwanda and around the world to continue the justice process.
So, I would like to assure the victims and the survivors that our commitment to securing justice on their behalf remains strong and unyielding.”
Registrar Abubacarr M. Tambadou:
Thirty years ago, on 8 November 1994, the international community reaffirmed its commitment to end impunity for mass atrocity crimes by establishing the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in response to the1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in which more than 800,000 men, women and children lost their lives.
Today, I pay tribute to the victims of the Genocide, and the courageous survivors who testified before the ICTR.
Without them, it would have been impossible to hold accountable persons responsible for Genocide and Other Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law. The ICTR played a pioneering and transformative role in the establishment of a credible international criminal justice system, such as ground-breaking jurisprudence on genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, as well as entrenching the legal principles on victim and witness protection, individual criminal responsibility and superior responsibility.
As we mark thirty years since the establishment of the ICTR, I express my profound admiration for the witnesses. I laud them for their courage and contributions to international justice and national reconciliation.
I reaffirm the Mechanism’s commitment to protect the victims and witnesses, and to safeguard the legacy of the ICTR through the preservation of the archives.
I also wish to acknowledge, with deep gratitude and appreciate, the ICTR and Mechanism staff members who worked tirelessly and with steadfast dedication and commitment to international justice.
President of the Association of Defence Counsel practicing before the International Courts and Tribunals (ADC-ICT) Dragan Ivetić:
On the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, I acknowledge its significant contributions to international justice.
The ICTR set key legal precedents and established a framework for accountability that continues to influence modern international criminal law.
The ICTR underscored the importance of fair trials for those accused of the most serious crimes by setting standards for fair trial rights.
The role and contributions of vigilant defence practitioners to the fairness of proceedings at the ICTR played a significant role in its legacy that cannot be overlooked.
As we commemorate this anniversary, the ADC-ICT remains dedicated to preserving the ICTR’s legacy, including the contributions of robust defense advocacy to that legacy, and advocating for a justice system that upholds both accountability and fairness in addressing international crimes.
As part of preserving the ICTR’s legacy and completing its mission, it is essential that fairness of proceedings and the availability of robust defense advocacy continue to apply with respect to those persons convicted, acquitted, incarcerated or released by the ICTR and IRMCT.