YouSaid · the spoken record

Judge Byron

lines on the record
119
first
2007-06-18
most recent
2010-12-06
sittings or episodes
8
sources
un-security-council

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  1. “Judge Byron: I would like, first of all, to express appreciation for the kind and encouraging words addressed to me as I assume the Office of President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). I would like to give the Security Council the assurance that I will make my best efforts to attain the laudable objectives of the Tribunal. I would also indicate that I will, with great pleasure, convey to my predecessor, Judge Erik Mose, the kind words and congratulatory messages expressed by members here today. This is the first time that I have attended a meeting such as this, and the most powerful impression I have is the intimate knowledge of the challenges facing the Tribunal which has been exhibited by all participants here today.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  2. “That support continues to have a direct impact on the work of the Tribunal. Let me conclude by thanking the members of the Security Council, the Secretariat and the Member States for their steadfast support. We look forward to continuing the Tribunal's work with them all in the final years of our mandate.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  3. “The achievements of the Tribunal and the commitment to bringing to justice those persons who were most responsible for genocide and violations of international humanitarian law that were committed in Rwanda in 1994 are unwavering. The Tribunal's work will not be completed until we meet the challenge given to us by this honourable Council to establish the guilt or innocence of the accused, bring justice to victims of the massive crimes that were committed, and establish a record of facts that can aid reconciliation in Rwanda. In the process, the Tribunal will leave a legacy of international jurisprudence that can guide future courts, deter potential perpetrators, and prevent impunity for those grave crimes. On behalf of the Tribunal, allow me to express appreciation to the Council for its support of the Tribunal's mission.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  4. “With the possibility that one multi-accused case will continue after 2008, as well as the issue of fugitives, some trials, as well as the drafting of judgments in some cases, may in fact run into 2009. The cooperation of Member States with the Tribunal is paramount if the Tribunal is to successfully to complete that work. The projections will also depend on sufficient resources being made available by the Member States through the completion of the Tribunal's work. The Tribunal, as we move towards the completion of our work, will also continue to prioritize the contribution to building the capacity of the Rwandan judicial system.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  5. “I am also pleased to reiterate that Rwanda has continued to cooperate with the Tribunal by facilitating the flow of witnesses and by providing documents to the prosecution and the defence. As with my predecessors, my objective and mandate continue to be to lead the Tribunal to the completion of its work while upholding the highest standards of due process and fair trial. The aforementioned projections suggest that 65 to 70 persons will have judgments rendered in their cases by the end of 2008. However, as indicated, despite the successes and positive projections, challenges remain due to external factors outside the control of the Tribunal that could be remedied with the support and assistance of this Council and of Member States.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  6. “Moreover, with respect to increasing outreach, the Tribunal is actively working through various initiatives: the ICTR outreach programme, programmes on awareness-raising within Rwanda, strengthening relations with academic institutions in Rwanda, developing media, and the continuation of active cooperation and assistance to Rwandan civil society organizations. With respect to the relationship with academic institutions, the Tribunal is fostering a number of initiatives, such as continuing with the Special Fellowship Programme for Rwandan Law Students and internship and legal researcher programmes. A number of those programmes are funded through the Tribunal's voluntary contributions trust fund, which is currently depleted. Any further contributions from Member States will be greatly appreciated.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  7. “The strengthening of the Rwandan judicial system and the improvement of its capacity to prosecute cases transferred from the Tribunal is also a goal and expected achievement, as identified by the Security Council in its resolution 1503 (2003). The Tribunal provides support to the local judiciary and prosecutors in the region, as further described in the completion strategy. Those efforts are made possible thanks to current and future donor and technical assistance from Member States.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  8. “The knowledge and past experience of staff serve the prompt and efficient achievement of the Tribunal's work. Many highly competent staff members, however, continue to leave our institution. That situation is aggravated by the difficulties the Tribunal foresees in recruiting new staff as it moves closer to completion. It is essential that I draw the Council's attention to the fact that the Tribunal will be able to achieve its goal only if it obtains the necessary resources, among other things, by developing the capability to retain its experienced staff with institutional knowledge. Before I conclude my address, please let me now turn to the Tribunal's contribution to Rwanda.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  9. “There is also no doubt that the recent successes are the result of the assistance of this Council in fostering continuity at the Tribunal, notably by extending the term of office of all permanent and ad litem judges until 31 December 2008. The Tribunal has increasingly relied on ad litem judges for realizing the completion strategy objectives- a contribution that has surpassed what was envisaged. The efficient completion of trials at the Tribunal also continues to be possible thanks to the highly dedicated work of staff. In the face of the lack of sufficient resources in key departments, the staff has evinced its commitment to the completion strategy of the Tribunal by absorbing the resulting increased workloads. There is no doubt that retention of experienced staff constitutes one of the major success criteria of our completion strategy.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  10. “Concerning convicted persons, six of them are currently incarcerated in the Republic of Mali, while the other convicted persons remain at the detention facility in Arusha. In addition, the Tribunal has concluded enforcement-of-sentence agreements with the Republic of Benin, the Kingdom of Swaziland, the French Republic, the Republic of Italy and the Kingdom of Sweden. The Tribunal is grateful for the support of those six countries and their willingness to enter into enforcement of sentence agreements, and remains confident that other States will provide their support with respect to the location of convicted persons. The significant results of the Tribunal over the past six months are indisputably due to an improvement in the working methods of the three branches of the Tribunal.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  11. “Yet, to date, progress has not been as advanced as had been hoped. As of today, only two of the five persons acquitted by the Tribunal have been accepted by a Member State - France. I would like to express our gratitude to France for its support. The other three acquitted persons are under the protection of the Tribunal in Arusha, two since February 2004 and one since September 2006. The Registry has made many attempts to find a country for them. On behalf of the Tribunal, I reiterate the appeal for the assistance of Member States in that regard as well. The situation of released persons who have completed their sentences is another of the issues that must be urgently addressed as the Tribunal moves forward. It must be determined where those individuals will be transferred after they have served their sentences.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  12. “If those fugitives are not arrested and transferred in time for their trials to be completed by the end of 2008, a solution must be discussed that will allow the Tribunal or another mechanism to proceed with such cases beyond the end of 2008. Please let me emphasize the issue of State cooperation as one of the cornerstones of the success of the Tribunal. As I have just explained, the assistance of States is critical for the arrest and transfer of indictees. That assistance is also crucial in connection with the situation of acquitted persons, the relocation of convicted persons who have served their sentences and the serving of sentences by convicted persons. Acquittals are a natural consequence of fair trials and the application of the rule of law. This matter has been raised at various times before the Council.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  13. “Those steps, however, will be successful only if Member States provide support to the Tribunal in that regard. That is a crucial component of the completion strategy. I have no doubt that my visit here to the United Nations will be an opportunity to discuss this matter with Member States and to consolidate their continuous support with respect to the arrest and transfer of indictees. The purpose of the establishment of the Tribunal, to contribute to the restoration and maintenance of peace as well as to contribute to international justice, will be seriously impaired if the remaining indictees are not brought to justice.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  14. “Let me now turn to another challenge that I would like to address this morning, namely, the apprehension of the 18 accused persons at large and the transfer of cases to national jurisdictions. Concerning those issues, the Tribunal and, in particular, the Prosecutor have developed specific steps on the path to completion. Last week, the Prosecutor requested the referral of the cases of three fugitives to Rwanda and to France. However, it is clear that, in view of the Tribunal's mandate as defined by the Security Council, some of the remaining fugitives should be considered candidates for trial at the Tribunal itself. As the Prosecutor will set out in detail in a few minutes, his Office also intends to ask for the transfer of a maximum of three of the eight accused currently detained in Arusha to national jurisdictions for trial.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  15. “As the Council may have noted, in view of the elements to which I have referred and which were more fully substantiated fully in the recent completion strategy report (S/2007/323), there has been a high level of productivity in the four courtrooms of the Tribunal over the past six months. The result of those achievements is an ever-diminishing case load. Indications suggest that the next six months will be even more productive. The completion of the five single-accused cases this year will allow the Tribunal to commence the trial phase for the remaining single accused in the second half of 2007 and early 2008, as soon as Trial Chamber and courtroom capacity permits. One of them, the case of Hormisdas Nsengimana, is scheduled to commence later this month, on 22 June 2007.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  16. “In the Karemera case, which involves three co- accused, the trial resumed last week, after a break of five months due to the withdrawal of a judge. The Trial Chamber is taking steps to ensure that the prosecution completes its case this year and that the trial stage concludes during 2008. However, due to the particular complexity of the procedural history of this case, it may roll into 2009. At the Appeals Chamber, two judgements were recently delivered - in the cases of Emmanuel Ndindabahizi and Mika Muhimana. Four cases, concerning six individuals, are also pending appeal.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  17. “Our major challenge in terms of ongoing trials remains four multi-accused cases, involving 17 accused. In the Butare trial, the fifth of the six accused will begin his case in the next few weeks. The presentation of evidence will be completed in 2007 or early 2008. In the Government trial, the second of the four defendants has completed his case. With two remaining accused to present their defence cases, the presentation of evidence will be completed in early 2008, with the judgement expected in 2008. The prosecution case in the Military II trial closed in December 2006, and the defence case of the first of the four accused commenced on 16 April 2007. As such, the presentation of evidence is expected to be completed in 2008.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  18. “The total number of cases completed in first instance is now 27, involving 33 accused. Since the previous report to the Council, one final judgement on a guilty plea has been issued in the case of Joseph Nzabirinda. In addition, one case has been transferred to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Two other cases are at the judgement-writing phase, including the Military I case, which involves four co-accused. The ongoing trials at first instance involve 22 accused in nine different cases that are at a very advanced stage in the proceedings, as the Tribunal continues to operate at maximum capacity. Of those ongoing trials, it is expected that the five single- accused cases will be completed by the end of this year, with respective judgements to be rendered in 2008.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source

  19. “Judge Byron: It is a great honour for me to address the members of the Security Council as the new President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). I am particularly pleased to appear before you, Mr. President, as your country has consistently supported the work of the Tribunal. My statement today will present an updated version of the ICTR completion strategy submitted to the Security Council by my predecessor, Judge Erik Mose, on 23 May 2007. After a concise overview of the judicial work of the Tribunal for the past six months, my intention today is to outline for the Security Council key issues and challenges in connection with the completion strategy of the Tribunal. Let me start with a brief overview of the judicial work since the most recent report, given to the Security Council in December 2006.”

    2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source