13.03.08 - ICTR/PLENARY - ICTR JUDGES TO HOLD ONE DAY PLENARY FRIDAY

This is the first international ad-hoc tribunal since the Second World War trying accused persons of genocide, an unprecedented crime in the modern 21st century.  "The plenary will discuss proposals to amend Rules of Procedure and Evidence," Roland Amoussouga, ICTR spokesman, told Hirondelle Agency. He, however, declined to give exact details on the proposed amendments.
 
Mr Amoussouga also said that, among other issues, the judges would also deliberate on the ICTR's exit as ordered by the UN Security Council.
 
The UN Court has to complete all first instance trials by end of this year and appeals by 2010. The last plenary was held in May, last year.
 
The Prosecutor, Justice Hassan Jallow and the Registrar, Adama Dieng, both will miss the plenary as they are away on mission. "The Prosecutor is away on a mission and will later proceed for holidays," said Dr Tim Gallimore, spokesman of Jallow. Mr Dieng is away in Europe on official assignment. This is the 18th plenary since the tribunal was established in November, 1994.
 
The ICTR has a total of 25 judges-- nine permanent, nine ad litem (temporary) and five appeals chamber judges.
 
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