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| Picture Credit: flickr.com/hoteldelphi |
UN Documents
Security Council Resolution 1966 (22 December 2010)
Security Council Resolution 1966 established the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals to conclude the remaining tasks of the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
Security Council Resolution 855 (November 8, 1994)
The Security Council established the ICTR under Chapter VII of the UN Charter through Resolution 855.
Reports
The Legacies of Collective Violence
The Boston Review publishes an exchange on the limitations of legal justice in post-genocidal situations. The Rwanda Genocide and the Limits of Law (April/May 2002), discusses "how best to restore health to a society smashed by devastating violence." "Justice or Therapy?" (Summer 2002) criticizes the first article's prescription, "substituting therapy for justice", and characterizes it as "ventures into dangerous moral territory."
Articles
2011
ICTR to Hear Closing Arguments in MRND Case (August 18, 2011)
On August 22, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) opened the hearing of the closing arguments in the trial of former MRND leaders. The MRND was the ruling party in 1994, when an estimated 800.000 people were killed. The accused, former President of MRND Matthieu Ngirumpatse and former vice President Edourd Karemera, are charged with genocide, incitement to commit genocide and for other crimes against humanity committed by other members their party. The trial has been ongoing since 2003, and is now on its 374th trial day. However, the Chamber expects the judgment to be handed down before the end of this year. (Hirondelle News Agency)
Rape in War: No More Excuses (July 22, 2011)
In June 2011, the ICTR convicted Pauline Nyiramasuhuko for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, including rape. As Nyiramasuhuko is the first women convicted of genocide, this article examines the impact of the conviction on women’s rights. The author asserts that Nyiramasuhuko’s convictions are a victory for sexual violence, as they illustrates that sexual violence is an “effective weapon of war”, specifically when it is ordered by officials. The convictions also counter the “overused and dangerous justification” that “boys will be boys” in cases mass rape. Ultimately, the author advocates personal responsibility for actions, and challenges the notion that sexual violence is inevitable.
U.N. Court Refers Genocide Case to Rwanda (June 28, 2011)
In an unprecedented move, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has referred the case of Jean Uwinkindi, a pastor indicted for genocide to Rwanda. Though previous judges were unwilling to refer cases to national courts, the current chamber has acknowledged Rwanda’s recent changes to its law. While Rwanda has made a sincere and positive effort to change their domestic law, both the Rwandan government and the ICTR must ensure that Uwinkindi