ICTR
President rejects request for acquitted persons: On Tuesday, Judge Vagn Joensen, dismissed a request by acquitted persons for a special Chamber to hear their grievances concerning their relocation. He said he had no reason to assign judges to deal with the matter because the Statute does not empower any Trial Chamber to grant the applicants the relief they are seeking. Former Rwandan ministers Andre Ntagerura (Transport), Casimir Bizimungu (Health), Jérome Bicamumpaka (Foreign Affairs) and ex-army officer Brigadier General Gratien Kabiligi are lodged in safe houses in Arusha as they cannot find host countries.
Registrar appointed special adviser on genocide prevention: The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday appointed Registrar Adama Dieng of Senegal, as his Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, replacing Francis Deng of Sudan. He described him as legal and human rights expert, with distinguished career in contributing to the strengthening of rule of law and fighting impunity.
ICC
Prosecution launches examination on Mali situation: Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda Wednesday announced that her office has launched a preliminary examination into crimes committed in Mali to determine whether to prosecute. Bensouda said she would make a decision soon on whether one or more persons should be charged for crimes committed. The prosecutor’s action follows a request by Malian government t which it claimed it was unable to prosecute the crimes.
Coalition asks for dedication on international justice: On Tuesday during celebration of International Justice Day, the Coalition for the Court requested governments to make commitment to ensure international justice a priority and hold accountable those suspected of committing gravest crimes. July 17 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the Court.
NEXT WEEK
Ngirabatware trial resumes: The trial of ex-Rwandan Planning Minister Augustin Ngirabatware resumes at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) on Monday for presentation of closing arguments.
FK/NI/GF