12.10.12 - WEEKLY SUMMARY - APPEALS CHAMBER REDUCES SENTENCE FOR EX-RWANDAN OFFICIAL, 11 CANDIDATES VIE FOR ICC REGISTRY

Arusha, October 12, 2012 (FH) –The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) this week reduced to 40 years jail term the life imprisonment sentence imposed on ex-senior Rwandan government official, Jean-Baptiste Gatete, while the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) submitted to the Assembly of States Parties 11 candidates to vie for the post of the Court’s Registrar.

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ICTR

Appeals Chamber hears two ex-ministers’ appeal case: On Monday, two former Rwandan Ministers, Justin Mugenzi and Prosper Mugiraneza, asked the judges to overturn their conviction and the 30-year term imposed against them. The two former leaders had been convicted, in first instance, of conspiracy to commit genocide and direct and public incitement to commit genocide.

Gatete's sentence reduced: Judges on appeal Tuesday reduced to 40 years jail term the life imprisonment sentence imposed on senior Rwandan government official, Jean-Baptiste Gatete by the lower court. The reduction of the sentence was a cure of violation of his right to be tried without undue delay. The judges affirmed the conviction for Gatete, ex-Director in the Ministry of Women and Family Affairs, of genocide and extermination, as a crime against humanity entered against him by Trial Chamber on March 29, 2011.

ICC

Eleven candidates to vie for ICC registry: The Court’s President, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, Tuesday announced that he has submitted to the Assembly of States Parties 11 candidates, including two Africans, to vie for the post of the Court’s Registrar. The current Registrar Silvana Arbia from Italy is among the contestants. The ICC Registrar is elected by an absolute majority of the judges for a term of five years, and is eligible for re-election.

Judges hear Libya request over Gaddafi son’s case: Libyan government lawyers Tuesday took the floor to defend their written motion, requesting judges to allow Saif al-Islam charged with crimes against humanity to be tried in Libya, promising a fair trial. They submitted that Libyan prosecutors have gathered considerable evidence to prosecute Muammar Gaddafi’s son. But defence counsel claimed the Court’s reputation would be harmed by a trial in Libya, as there was no doubt Al-Islam would be hanged if found guilty.

SCSL

Special Court for Sierra Leon winds down: The Tribunal’s President Justice Shireen Avis Fisher Tuesday said they plan to close by end of next year. She said in her address to the UN Security Council that after delivery of judgment in appellate proceedings in the case of Charles Taylor predicted for September 2012, the Court would close its doors. Taylor has been sentenced to 50 years in jail for war crimes and crimes against humanity for aiding and abetting rebels during Sierra Leone's civil war.

 

NEXT WEEK

ICC

Bemba’s defence due to resume: On Monday (October 15), there will be resumption of presentation of defence evidence in the case of Jean Piere-Bemba. The leader of the Movement for the Liberation of Congo is charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes, for his command responsibility in crimes committed by his troops in the Central African Republic between 2002 and 2003.

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