YouSaid · the spoken record

Ngoga

lines on the record: 68
first: 2004-06-29
most recent: 2009-06-04
sittings or episodes: 6
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“President, allow me to thank you again for the opportunity to contribute to this dialogue and to reiterate my Government's continued commitment to supporting the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.”
2009-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6134 (2009) · source
“We recognize the ongoing process to determine the final destination of the ICTR archives and remain hopeful that that destination will be Rwanda, without prejudice to wider and unrestricted access by the international community; nor does this position constitute a dispute over ownership of those archives. We have completed ratification of the agreement between the ICTR and the Government of Rwanda regarding the serving in Rwanda of sentences handed down by the ICTR, and the instruments of ratification have been deposited. We have also recently signed an agreement with the Special Court for Sierra Leone regarding sentences handed down by that Court. We believe that that is essential to dispel the perceived mistrust of Rwandan institutions and that it will, equally, contribute to the reconciliation process in Rwanda. In conclusion, Mr.”
2009-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6134 (2009) · source
“The challenge of reversing the status quo is collective and has a direct bearing on the legacy of the ICTR. However, we remain confident that this situation will be reversed. My Government has repeatedly and unequivocally stated its view that the archives of the ICTR should be transferred to Rwanda upon completion of the Tribunal's mandate. That conviction is premised on the fact that those records constitute an integral part of our history, are vital to the preservation of the memory of the genocide and will play a critical role in educating future generations to ensure the prevention of genocide.”
2009-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6134 (2009) · source
“The decisions by the Trial and Appeals Chambers have severely undermined my Government's ability to pursue and bring to justice those suspected of genocide all over the world. Those decisions have in tone and content diluted the efforts my Government has pursued to reject a culture of impunity and have set back the progress made in repairing our torn national fabric, not only in the justice sector but in all aspects of national reconciliation and reconstruction. Those decisions, coupled with erroneous and incorrect factual assessments and occasional deliberate misrepresentations by otherwise useful human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch, remain solely responsible for the widening impunity gap that we are currently experiencing.”
2009-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6134 (2009) · source
“Despite last year's disappointing decision by the Trial and Appeals Chambers to reject the Prosecutor's request to transfer cases to Rwanda, we remain prepared to receive any future cases transferred to our competent jurisdiction by the ICTR and to address all of the issues raised in the objections by the Chambers in their respective decisions. In this regard, we have undertaken a review and proposed amendments to the law governing the transfer of cases and the law abolishing the death penalty, and we have established a witness protection unit within the judiciary. These reforms are resolutely based on my Government's perspectives on the ICTR's completion strategy, and specifically with regard to the transfer of cases rather than the maintenance of the status quo.”
2009-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6134 (2009) · source
“I am pleased to report to the Council that, in my Government's efforts to ensure the peace and stability of our citizens, we have continued to ensure the security of witnesses and responded to any issues that have arisen on a case-by-case basis. My Government has continued to support investigations initiated by both the prosecution and the defence, without prejudice to either. My Government remains committed to continuing its support for the ICTR's completion strategy as set out in resolution 1503 (2003).”
2009-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6134 (2009) · source
“I thank the Council for the opportunity to contribute to this debate. My delegation wishes to thank the President and Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for the presentation of their reports. We particularly welcome their acknowledgement and recognition of the cooperation extended to the Tribunal by my Government. In the period since the last year's last briefing to the Council, my Government has consistently extended the cooperation and support necessary to enable the ICTR to effectively execute its mandate. We have continued to facilitate unfettered access to witnesses for both the defence and the prosecution and assisted the movement of witnesses to and from Arusha.”
2009-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6134 (2009) · source
“We can only expect the ICTR to smoothly complete the remaining part of this agreement. The issue of the transfer of archives to Rwanda remains pending; consultations have been going on with the team designated to study and make recommendations on the matter. We reiterate our desire and readiness to take full custody of the archives. Given that this is a crucial undertaking, the earlier formal discussions can begin the better.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“In this period we need a more sustainable and long-term mechanism between United Nations Member States and the Government of Rwanda, under which the key issues - particularly the transfer and trial of all remaining ICTR cases, the pursuit of fugitives at large, the monitoring of the serving of sentences and the management of archives - can be addressed. We need a mechanism to ensure that the set goals do not shift gradually. We need to guard against endless faits accomplis. It is through such a mechanism that we can have a smooth and effective completion process. As I pointed out earlier, in March of this year Rwanda signed an agreement on service of sentence. We have completed all the arrangements for having all of the convicts sent to Rwanda to serve their sentence.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“Regarding the Prosecutor's decision on the Kabgayi case, we reiterate our commitment and readiness to take it through the judicial process in strict observance of the norms and principles of a fair trial and in observance of the commitment we have made to the Prosecutor. Rwanda is committed to upholding justice and ending impunity. It is therefore incumbent upon the Security Council to establish support mechanisms to help Rwanda in its efforts. Under such mechanisms, issues related to post-ICTR residual functions could be addressed as well. At this crucial juncture, Rwanda still believes that the major interest, shared with the Security Council, is to find an amicable conclusion of the ad hoc mandate of the Tribunal.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“In 1999 Rwanda protested conduct of the court in the Barayagwiza case. Barayagwiza was eventually convicted by the ICTR through to the appellate level. The ICTR has since handed down five acquittals, and that has not raised any protest from Rwanda. The Tribunal chose to refer to the 1999 incident and kept silent on those subsequent acquittals in order to portray Rwanda as a country that is opposed to acquittals. We view this as a serious misinterpretation - and one that has serious consequences. We are dismayed by the ruling, which portrays our country as one that cannot be trusted. This is likely to create grounds for fugitives at large to roam around in different countries with impunity. We are informed, however, that the ICTR Prosecutor intends to appeal this decision, and we will continue to be interested in developments.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“The ICTR's decisions, including those being made by judges, are supposed to be specific to the cases and suspects, and not to be used to undermine an entire national system. We note with dismay that the recent decision in the Munyakazi case is inconsistent with previous reports and the present report of the Tribunal as regards the level of cooperation between my Government and the Tribunal. Those reports unequivocally state that Rwanda cooperates fully with the ICTR. It is more disappointing to note that the ICTR judges rely solely on reports by non-governmental organizations to justify their decision, in total disregard of Rwanda's views on those reports. They have misinterpreted the Rwandan Government's rejection of pronouncements by foreign national jurisdictions, despite the fact that this is a sovereign right.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“We are particularly concerned that that process has the potential to undermine the trust and reputation we have painstakingly built. It is that trust and confidence that has led certain Governments, including some members of the Security Council, to apprehend some of the fugitives found on their respective territories. Our achievements in judicial reform are not intangible; they are very visible. Our participation in the completion process is a response to a call, not a public relations exercise. We must be judged on the basis of our conduct and policies, not on the basis of presumed future misconduct. We expect and hope to inherit from the ICTR a legacy that complements our efforts. We expect a legacy that supports the growth of our institutions.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“Rwanda's commitment to comply with international standards of fair trial and judicial independence is unquestionable, as it is central to my Government's policy founded on our continued fight against impunity. We have made significant progress in that important aspect. The progress made meets the requirements inherent in the ICTR's completion process. Since May 2007, the ICTR Prosecutor has filed five requests for the transfer of cases to Rwanda for trial. The five referral applications are pending before different Chambers of the Tribunal. Rwanda has discharged its duty to file submissions before the respective referral Chambers, demonstrating the willingness and ability to handle those cases. In spite of all those efforts, my country is seriously concerned about the direction that the issue of the referral of cases is taking.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“We were able to make all those preparations with the support of numerous members of the Security Council. That is due to the fact that Rwanda has a shared interest with the Council in ensuring a smooth winding-up process for the ICTR. The fugitives still at large are not limited to the 13 appearing on the ICTR's list. We have repeatedly appealed to the Security Council to see to it that the conclusion of the ICTR's mandate does not become an amnesty for those not included on the list, which is very condensed. My Government appreciates the efforts of some Governments that have apprehended some of the fugitives. The proceedings for their extradition to Rwanda are under way, largely as a result of the judicial sector reforms and capacity development taking place in Rwanda and that I have previously described.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“A modern holding cell has been constructed in Kigali to accommodate ICTR detainees who would be appearing in Court. Similarly, an agreement for the transfer of ICTR convicts to Rwanda was signed on 4 March 2008. The agreement is founded on the requirement provided for under the ICTR Statute to have sentences served in Rwanda. We have a modern correctional facility that is intended to accommodate ICTR convicts sent from Arusha, as well as ICTR accused who may be convicted. The Tribunal's Prosecutor and Registrar have both conducted a series of visits to Rwanda to verify Rwanda's readiness and willingness to receive the ICTR's outstanding workload. They have expressed their satisfaction with the level of compliance with internationally recognized standards and norms attained by Rwanda's judicial institutions.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“A comprehensive piece of legislation was passed in March 2006 to govern the transfer of cases to Rwanda from the ICTR and from any other State. The law provides sufficient guarantees for fair trials. It is specifically based on the ICTR's Rules of Procedure and Evidence, as well as other best practices recognized and applied by the ICTR. The law allows the ICTR to monitor trials and recognizes the ICTR's primacy and right to call back a transferred case. Modern courtrooms have been prepared. For the past two years, a joint programme has been in place between the ICTR and Rwanda. Under the joint programme, we have conducted familiarization and interaction visits between the ICTR and Rwanda, coupled with workshops for judges, prosecutors, members of the bar association and other staff members.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“We are happy to inform the Council that, to date, we have been able to handle all the requests made by the various organs of the Tribunal. I note the acknowledgement in the President's briefing regarding the situation of cooperation. In its resolutions 1503 (2003) and 1534 (2004), the Security Council directed the two Tribunals to wind up their activities within specified deadlines. The resolutions further directed that middle- and lower- ranking cases be transferred to national jurisdictions, including that of Rwanda. As a matter of State responsibility, Rwanda began close consultations with the Tribunal and began to prepare the ground to receive cases and conduct trials in some of the cases that may be transferred from the ICTR.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“We also highly commend the attention and due diligence that the Security Council continues to exercise in its bid to ensure the successful and smooth completion of the ICTR's mandate. The crimes falling under the ICTR's mandate were committed in Rwanda, mostly by Rwandans and against fellow Rwandans. That makes Rwanda the most responsible and concerned State in the pursuit of justice for those crimes. It is in that regard that Rwanda considers it imperative that it participate fully in the determination of matters pertaining to the ICTR, in particular as regards the completion process. We have continued to improve our institutional mechanisms for cooperation with the ICTR to keep pace with the completion process and the associated cooperation challenges.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“My delegation wishes to thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to address the Security Council on the important issue of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). We would like to reiterate to the ICTR the full support and cooperation of the Government of Rwanda as the Tribunal endeavours to implement the completion strategy. My delegation expresses its thanks to Judge Byron and Prosecutor Jallow for their respective presentations. We are also grateful for the valuable work that is being done by the entire staff of the ICTR. The people of Rwanda appreciate their contribution to our reconciliation process. We note and commend the efforts being made by the ICTR to implement resolutions 1503 (2003) and 1534 (2004), which relate to the completion of the ICTR and ICTY mandates.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“We would also like to thank the Tribunal's President and Prosecutor and their respective teams for their work in ensuring the implementation of the completion strategy.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“As decision is reached on this issue, we hope that there will be no prejudice against Rwanda on the pretext of its limited material means. Rwanda believes that cooperation and partnership with the Government should be strengthened during the remaining part of the ICTR mandate. This should not only cover administrative issues but should also entail joint planning in the areas of legacy and residual issues, in which Rwanda is the logical partner. We would like to conclude by expressing our profound appreciation to the international community for its continued support of the Tribunal through both assessed and voluntary contributions. As we enter the last leg, we urge the Council to continue its commitment to ensuring that the Tribunal has the adequate resources to conduct its work efficiently and effectively.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“My country is therefore not responsible for the difficulties that the Tribunal is experiencing, which the President mentioned. As we continue to consider the legacy of the Tribunal on international justice in general, but more specifically its effects on Rwanda, we believe that the completion strategy should incorporate the transfer of all court documents and materials to Rwanda. We are aware of the interest expressed by another State in acquiring ICTR judicial archives. We wish to emphasize that those records constitute an important part of our country's recent history and that they are of critical importance to our reconciliation and civic policies. That overrides any desire to acquire those archives simply for research or similar purposes.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“Of equal importance is the question of the transfer of convicts to serve sentences in Rwanda. The execution of sentences is vital in criminal justice processes. Administrative bureaucracy that continues to delay decisions on this matter is causing substantial damage to the ICTR process. We urge those concerned to take urgent steps to remedy that situation. Rwanda believes that ICTR convicts must serve their sentences in Rwanda, where they committed the crimes and where they should be seen serving their sentences. With regard to those who have been acquitted by the ICTR, it is the policy of our country to welcome home every Rwandan who happened to be abroad for any reason. The doors remain open to those who have been acquitted by the ICTR.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“In that regard, we wish to recognize the support from the United States Government through the Office of the Ambassador-at- Large for War Crimes issues, as well as from the Governments of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and some other members of the European Union. We take this opportunity to urge the international community to actively participate in these capacity-building efforts. This becomes even more important in the light of the completion of the ICTR's mandate and Rwanda's central role in tracking and bringing to justice genocide fugitives in the years to come. Rwanda will remain open and receptive to positive input in that process. We also appreciate the ICTR's initiatives in the area of capacity-building, as set out in the report of the President of the Tribunal.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“By way of preparation, and in partnership with the ICTR Office of the Prosecutor, Rwanda has, among other things, undertaking the following steps. First, we have enacted a law to govern the referral of cases from the ICTR to Rwandan courts. That law abolishes the death penalty and sufficiently addresses procedural and substantive aspects of prospective trials, as well as monitoring mechanisms. It also establishes a legal-aid fund for indigent accused and a witness protection mechanism - to which we hope that the international community will contribute, as it has done as regards the ICTR. Secondly, although there has been significant development of the country's justice sector, a comprehensive capacity-building plan is under way for longer-term purposes.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“We would recommend that, as the Tribunal mandate comes to an end, the Security Council adopt a resolution that would obligate States to fully cooperate with Rwanda's national jurisdiction in tracking down and eventually prosecuting fugitives who are still at large. However, my delegation was surprised to learn at this meeting through the statements made by Judge Byron and Prosecutor Jallow that there are plans under way to refer cases and send convicts to France; I say this despite the positive statement by the representative of France. My Government has serious concerns about this - principally because well-known fugitives at large continue to live in that country with impunity. We intend to raise this issue with the appropriate authorities at the highest level.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“That position is founded on the following grounds: first, justice must be seen to be done within the territory where crimes were committed; secondly, it is more efficient and effective to hold trials in Rwanda, as evidence and witnesses are mostly to be found in Rwanda; thirdly, on the basis of the principle of sovereign equality, Rwanda having cooperated with the ICTR as an international judicial institution should not be subordinated to any other national system; and, fourthly, the transfer of cases would complement and reinforce Government policies towards reconciliation, which is central to the mandate of the ICTR. Rwanda expects the same support and degree of cooperation from States as that extended to the ICTR in its pursuit of fugitives.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“Other arrangements have been made with a view to ensuring that all the requirements set forth under rule 11 bis are met. Consequently, the first request for referral of a case to Rwanda, namely, that of Fulgence Kayishema, was made recently. We are pleased that our partnership with the Office of the Prosecutor has enabled us to register significant progress in these areas. It is the position of the Rwanda Government that, to the extent possible, pending cases must be transferred to Rwanda's national jurisdiction.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“We therefore urge the Council to take the necessary measures to ensure that all States cooperate in apprehending those fugitives and handing them over for trial. States that fail to do so must be held accountable by the Council. We urge the Tribunal to be more transparent in naming those States that are not sufficiently cooperative in this area. Rwanda welcomes the initiative of the ICTR Prosecutor regarding the transfer of cases to national jurisdictions, principally to Rwanda. The Rwanda Government and the Prosecutor have made remarkable progress with respect to the transfer of cases. The Rwanda Government is committed to continuing those preparations. For example, organic law No. 11/2007 has been promulgated, to govern all legal matters pertaining to the referral of cases to Rwanda.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“We note that the number of persons whose trials either have been completed or are in progress is 60. Eight detainees are awaiting trial, of whom three are being considered for transfer to national jurisdictions. Eighteen indictees remain at large, including Felicien Kabuga, Augustine Ngirabatware and others. We once again appeal to the Council to take urgent measures to ensure that those indictees do not evade justice. The completion strategy is not an exit strategy for the commitment of the international community to ensure that those fugitives are brought to justice, either by the Tribunal before the end of 2008 or in national jurisdictions after 2008. There is fairly good information about the whereabouts of those fugitives, but there is still little progress in arresting them.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“My delegation expresses its thanks to Judge Byron and Prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow for their respective presentations. I would like to note that for the first time, the President of the Rwanda genocide survivors' umbrella association, Ibuka, and the President of the genocide widows' association, AVEGA, are present at this meeting as stakeholders in the successful completion of the ICTR mandate. The Rwandan Government and those two associations share a common interest and vision regarding the future of the genocide-related judicial process after 2008 generally and, more specifically, the question of fugitives at large, the transfer of cases, the transfer of archives and other residual issues. My delegation takes note of the revised completion strategy of the ICTR.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“My delegation would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of June. We also thank you for giving us this opportunity to address the Council on the important issue of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). We wish to join other delegations in congratulating Justice Dennis Byron on his election as President of the ICTR. We would like to assure him of the full support and cooperation of the Rwandan Government as he continues to implement the completion strategy. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to Judge Erik Mose for the dedication and diligence exercised throughout his four-year term as Tribunal President.”
2007-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5697 (2007) · source
“We would like to remind the Council that a new detention facility, which meets the standards of the United Nations, was completed more than a year ago and has been inspected by ICTR officials. We call for the conclusion of the agreement as soon as possible so that the sentences can be administered in Rwanda in the very near future. In closing, we would like to put on record our appreciation of the continued improvement in the performance of the Tribunal, including specific measures being adopted for enhancing witness protection. We believe that improvement is the result of reinforced mechanisms of communication between ICTR officials and the Rwandan Government.”
2005-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5199 (2005) · source
“It is a process, and naturally we would welcome international support to enable us to further enhance our capacity, in the same way that the States of the former Yugoslavia are being supported in this process. In the transition from the international process to national judicial processes, Rwanda also hopes to be facilitated in the same way. We also believe that it is critical that sentences be served inside Rwanda. That is another point that the Rwandan Government has advocated since 1994. Here again, both common sense and natural justice require that sentences be served where the crimes were committed. That would also advance the cause of justice, combat impunity and promote national reconciliation. In that context, we have welcomed talks with the ICTR on that issue.”
2005-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5199 (2005) · source
“In the past 10 years, we have trained several times the number of lawyers and investigators that were trained in the three decades preceding the genocide. With the assistance of a number of friendly countries, we have transformed the infrastructure, particularly courtrooms, and have provided judges and prosecutors with the resources that have made them more effective. For those reasons, the Rwanda Government believes that it has the capacity - and most important, Rwanda has the will. We are willing to handle all the cases transferred from the ICTR, and we hope that at the appropriate time the Tribunal's Prosecutor will make the decision to transfer all those cases to Rwanda. This is not to say that everything is perfect.”
2005-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5199 (2005) · source
“Secondly, on the question of the capacity of the Rwandan judicial system to handle such cases, given the large load of thousands of local cases, we wish to bring the following points to the attention of the Council. First, the strain of cases on the ordinary courts was lifted with the commencement of the gacaca community trials earlier this year. The vast majority of cases are expected to be tried by the gacaca community courts and the appeals process within the gacaca system. That has freed up the ordinary courts, which will now be able to handle the cases transferred by the Tribunal and the handful of cases that may be referred back to it by the gacaca courts. Secondly, since 1994 the Rwandan Government has embarked on an intensive programme to build a strong and respected judiciary.”
2005-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5199 (2005) · source
“We also believe that the transfer of trials will promote national reconciliation and healing. It is in that context that the Rwandan Government welcomed the transfer of 15 case files from the ICTR to Rwanda. On the two issues raised with respect to Rwanda's capacity to handle such cases, first, on several occasions we have informed the ICTR that a moratorium on the death penalty has been in force since 1998 and that, in any case, the Government would be willing to enter into an agreement with the Tribunal not to apply the death penalty in any of the transferred cases. The necessary amendments to existing laws to that effect are being carried out.”
2005-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5199 (2005) · source
“It would be most unfortunate for the Tribunal to complete its work without impacting Rwandans as was envisaged when the Tribunal was established. Since the establishment of the Tribunal in 1994, my Government has strongly advocated the transfer of some cases for trial in Rwanda. It is a widely accepted principle that trials should always take place as close as possible to where the crimes were committed. The crimes presently before the ICTR were committed in Rwanda. It is my Government's belief that trials, especially those targeted for transfer, should all take place in Rwanda. That would address the problem of the impact of the ICTR on Rwanda and advance the cause of justice, while also combating impunity, as not only will justice be done but it will be seen to be done by Rwandans in Rwanda.”
2005-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5199 (2005) · source
“As we said at this time last year, the Tribunal's completion strategy should not be viewed as the international community's exit strategy with respect to its obligation to bring all suspects of the crime of genocide to trial at the ICTR, in Rwanda or elsewhere. The serious nature of the crime of genocide requires us to ensure that there is no impunity. As the Tribunal works towards the completion of its work, we should ask ourselves what impact it has had on justice and reconciliation in Rwanda - the principal reasons for which it was established in the first place. We believe that the impact of the Tribunal on those processes in Rwanda has been constrained because of the geographical distance between Arusha and Rwanda and because of the management and ethical problems that plagued the Tribunal in its early life.”
2005-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5199 (2005) · source
“That figure was revised downwards over the years, until today we are talking of only 65 to 70 individuals - less than one quarter of the original figure. It is our assessment that while the number of persons targeted for prosecution has gone down, serious accusations remain against some of the suspects who are no longer being considered for prosecution. Of those still targeted for prosecution, many remain at large and are being provided a safe haven from international justice by States Members of the Organization. We appeal to the Prosecutor to enforce the relevant provisions of the Tribunal's Statute to ensure that all States cooperate and hand over those fugitives. My Government appeals to the Council to seriously consider this matter with a view to ensuring that no suspect evades justice.”
2005-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5199 (2005) · source
“Rwanda is the country in which those horrific crimes were committed. It is in Rwanda that more than one million of our people needlessly lost their lives at the hands of those genocidal killers. It is in Rwanda that more than half a million children were orphaned by those tragic events. It is in Rwanda that thousands of women were widowed and thousands more were repeatedly gang-raped and subsequently contracted HIV/AIDS. It is in Rwanda where the desire for justice is most acutely felt and therefore where the success of the Tribunal's work will ultimately be judged. While we welcome the assessment of the expected output of the Tribunal by 2008, we regretfully recall that a few years ago the Tribunal had targeted for trial as many as 300 suspects who bear the greatest responsibility for the genocide.”
2005-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5199 (2005) · source
“Rwanda remains hopeful that the Tribunal will deliver justice to those who bear the greatest responsibility for the 1994 genocide. We pledge our continued support to ensure that the Tribunal's work runs as smoothly as possible. According to the report before the Council, the trials of 25 persons have been completed, while the cases of a further 25 are in progress and 16 are awaiting trial, of whom five have been identified for transfer to national courts. A further 14 indicted persons are still at large, four of whom the Prosecutor intends to transfer to national courts. Eight other cases have been investigated and submitted for confirmation, four of which will be transferred to national jurisdictions for trial. On the basis of that information, the Tribunal expects to have completed trials involving 65 to 70 persons by 2008.”
2005-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5199 (2005) · source
“As this is the first time that my delegation has taken the floor in the Security Council this month, we would like to begin by congratulating you, Sir, on assuming the presidency for the present month and by thanking you for calling this meeting on the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the Former Yugoslavia. We would also like to thank the President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Judge Erik Mose, and Prosecutor Hassan Jallow for their statements and their report (S/2005/336, enclosure) which outlines the completion strategy of the ICTR based on the most current information. We commend the President, the Prosecutor and the Registrar of the Tribunal for their work over the past six months and for their efforts to ensure the successful completion of the Tribunal's work by 2008.”
2005-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5199 (2005) · source
“We have proposed to the Registrar that this meeting take place in the first week of December, and we expect a positive response from the Registrar. Finally, Rwanda is very much committed to cooperation with, and support to, the Tribunal, and we are happy that the President and the Prosecutor of the Tribunal are acknowledging the level of cooperation that we are extending to the Tribunal, and we pledge to continue extending cooperation to the extent we can. We also recognize the attention and support of the international community given to Rwanda in its bid to uphold justice and rebuild the country on the basis of unity, rule of law and reconciliation. Through you, my delegation wishes to thank all members of the Security Council for their support to the Tribunal and to Rwanda.”
2004-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5086 (2004) · source
“We urge the international community to recognize the seriousness of the problem and support the General Assembly draft resolution which is being tabled in the plenary of the General Assembly in this session. Security of witnesses who testify before the Tribunal is another major concern of the Government of Rwanda. At least one prosecution witness was recently killed. Several others are reported to be living under threats. My Government continues investigations, arrest and prosecution of all those suspected of taking part in these heinous crimes. We have also invited the Tribunal, particularly the Registrar, to a cooperation review meeting. The meeting is expected to draw up a document on the policy and framework for cooperation in key areas, including witness protection.”
2004-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5086 (2004) · source
“We welcome subsequent monitoring, but this will have to be preceded by initial capacity-building, and I wish to reiterate that Rwanda needs assistance in this area in the same way as the States in the Balkans need such assistance, and they are being assisted. My delegation would like to bring to the attention of the Security Council the plight of many of the survivors of the 1994 genocide. They live in conditions of enormous hardship. To date, most genocide survivors, particularly the orphans, widows and victims of sexual violence, are suffering from abject poverty, HIV and limited access to education and medical care, to mention only a few problems.”
2004-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5086 (2004) · source
“We expect that convicts will now serve sentences in Rwanda, which will contribute to the process of reconciliation and healing, and eradicating the culture of impunity, as the people will now be able to make a direct link between crimes committed and punishments rendered, which has been missing for all this time. We would also like to note that Rwanda will require support in training its investigators, lawyers and judges, as well as upgrading its court facilities and infrastructure, in order to handle these trials with the highest level of professionalism and efficiency. We shall require support from the international community in our bid to make our efforts a success.”
2004-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5086 (2004) · source
“We urge the Tribunal to exhibit greater transparency when reporting and discussing this matter. We particularly request the Tribunal always to inform, report and involve us in discussions on the level of cooperation received from Member States in dealing with this challenge. Though the majority of fugitives are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there are others who are in States other than the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we have suggested that the Prosecutor, as a way of enhancing transparency in this matter, also name those other States that are harbouring fugitives. My Government appreciates the support of the international community, which enabled it to construct a detention facility in Rwanda that meets international standards.”
2004-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5086 (2004) · source
“Rwanda commends the efforts of the Tribunal in tracking fugitives. We also appreciate the commitment by some Member States to offer support and cooperation to the Tribunal by arresting and transferring the suspects to the seat of the Tribunal. We specifically commend the joint efforts between the Tribunal and the Governments of the Netherlands and South Africa in arresting and transferring Ephreim Setako and Ephreim Kanyarukiga, respectively. However, we still note that there is a significant number of suspects whom the Tribunal has indicted, such as Felicien Kabuga, Ngirabatware and others, who remain, not only at large but in the territories of some Member States. We wish to note with dismay that some States have proved to be reluctant to cooperate with the Tribunal in arresting and handing over such fugitives to the Tribunal.”
2004-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5086 (2004) · source