Establishment of International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda (ICTR)
The first milestone is the establishment of ICTR in November 1994 by the United Nations after the genocide. The security council affirms the tribunal's establishment after considering the violation of international humanitarian law during the genocide. The tribunal ensures that people for mass killings in Rwanda are brought to justice, and the victims receive their rights.
First Genocide Trial
The ICTR becomes the first international tribunal to enter judgment for genocide after conducting the first trials in January 1997 (Mose, 2005). The trials were essential to the genocide victims because they receive justice by ensuring suspects were brought to book. During the first trial, ICTR also defined rape as one means of perpetrating genocide, which was essential in putting an end to such crimes.
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Creation of a Unit for Gender Issues and Assistance to Genocide Victims
The creation of the unit took place in July 1997, providing support to the genocide victims. Supporting the victims was an essential move by the tribunal to ensure that people recover from the effects of the Rwandan genocide. ICTR and Support Programme for Witness and Potential Witness's continued community engagement was vital in providing necessary care, support, and protection of genocide victims.
The arrest of Seven Suspects in Nairobi
The arresting of seven people, including former Prime Minister of Rwandan Interim Government, in July 1997 was another milestone towards providing justice to the victims of genocide. The Nairobi Kigali (NAKI) operation illustrates the critical role international authorities play to bring the suspects of genocide and other serious human rights violators to justice. As of 2014, only three genocide suspects out of 83 were missing and will face trial as soon as they are arrested.
First Guilty Plea for Genocide
In May 1998, former Prime Minister Jean Kambanda pleaded guilty to perpetrating genocide in Rwanda. It was the first time a person admits responsibility for genocide and crimes against humanity. ICTR trying and later suing the suspects of genocide, including the former head of state, indicate the importance of providing justice to the victims. Bringing justice to perpetrators of genocide and crime against humanity is a significant move to enhance recovery among the victims.
Mali Sign an Agreement on Enforcement of ICTR Sentences
The signing of Mali's agreement in February 1999 was another milestone that illustrates the vital role of the international partnerships to ensure the convicts of serious human rights violations serve their sentences in compliance with detention standards. The signing of such agreements means that other countries will work with Rwanda to ensure that the victims of genocide. The agreement also enables bringing to book the suspects of genocide and human rights violations who are at large.
ICTR Opens Information Centre in Kigali
The opening of the information center in September 2000 was another milestone of the ICTR to ensure justice concerning the Rwanda genocide of 1994. The information center hosts public information area, library, and most importantly, Victim's Assistance Programme supporting and protecting people affected by genocide (Nathan & Friedman, 2010). Collecting necessary information concerning genocide and violation of human rights from the public plays a critical role in administrating justice to the victims and providing the appropriate support to enable them to recover.
Beginning of "The Media Case"
Holding members of the press responsible for inciting the public to commit acts of genocide and crimes against humanity was another milestone achieved in October 2000. The trial involving some of the media members, including Jean Bosco Barayagwiza, Ferdinand Nahimana, and Ngeze Hassan, was an effort of the tribunal to ensure all the suspects who initiated mass killing either directly or indirectly are brought to book. Subjecting to trial all people responsible either directly or indirectly for causing genocide and violation of human rights is a significant move to provide justice to the victims, and the guilty ones serve their sentences for committing crimes.
ICTR Completion Strategy
With the adoption of Resolution 1503 by the UN Security Council in August 2003, ICTR achieved another milestone that enabled it to complete its work. The adoption of the resolution was an essential step towards ensuring that the ICTR prosecute the suspects and give justice to the victims of genocide. The completion strategy enabled Rwanda to work with other nations to address cases concerning genocide and crimes against humanity.
Genocide Beyond Dispute
The milestone was achieved in June 2006 when for the first time, the ICTR Appeals Chambers considers judicial notice that indeed genocide against Tutsi took place in Rwanda in 1994. The consideration of judicial notice enables the establishment of genocide as a fact beyond dispute. The move will ensure that all the responsible people to have initiated genocide face criminal justice of causing mass killing. The victims also will receive the necessary support to recover from the effects of genocide.
Evidence Preservation Hearings Commence
The milestone was achieved in May 2011 when the ICTR started a special disposition proceeding in the case concerning Felicien Kabuga that enable the preservation of evidence to be used at trial when the suspect is arrested (Eltringham, 2009). The same proceeding was later held concerning other suspects that include Bizimana and Mpiranya. By holding such proceedings, ICTR makes sure that the factor of time cannot compromise the international community's ability to take the suspects to trial when they are apprehended. The milestone ensures that every suspect will face trial, and those found guilty will serve a sentence no matter how the process will take.
First Woman Convicted for Rape as a Crime Against Humanity
The international criminal tribunal achieved another milestone of convicting Pauline Nyiramasuhuko for rape as a crime against humanity in June of 2011. The tribunal's move to convict a woman is an indication that regardless of gender, the suspects of genocide will be brought to justice. The international criminal tribunal's decision to convict the woman plays a vital role in ensuring justice to the victims of genocide and rape.
First Case Referral to Rwanda
The Appeal Chambers of ICTR in December 2011 achieved another milestone of upholding the first referral of an international criminal indictment to Rwanda for trial. The actions indicate that Rwanda, in conjunction with other countries, is well prepared to handle the cases of genocide that lead to the death of over 800,000 people. Conducting trials in Rwanda will ensure efficiency in administering justice to the victims, and the suspects are brought to book.
The Mechanism Starts Operations
In July 2012, the Mechanism for International Tribunals achieved another milestone of opening a branch in Arusha. The aim of opening the branch in Tanzania was to ensure that mechanism continues working with ICTR and the other Yugoslavian Institution, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Working with other institutions both locally and internationally, the ICTR will address the cases concerning genocide more effectively.
Office of the Prosecutor Receives Special Achievement Award
Conferring a Special Achievement Award to the ICTR Office of Prosecutor by the International Association of Prosecution in September 2013 was a significant milestone in the fight against impunity for serious crimes. The ICRT established an excellent manual to help national and international prosecutions administer justice concerning sensitive crimes. The making such achievement by the ICTR indicates that country is trying to ensure all victims of genocide receive their rights and necessary support to restore their lives.
References
Eltringham, N. (2009). “We are not a Truth Commission”: fragmented narratives and the historical record at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Journal of Genocide Research, 11(1) , 55-79.
Mose, E. (2005). Main Achievements of the ICTR. Journal of International Criminal Justice, 3(4) , 920-943.
Nathan, L. P., & Friedman, B. (2010). Interacting with policy in a political world: Reflections from the voices from the Rwanda Tribunal project. Interactions, 17(5) , 56-59.
