ICTR Refers a Case to the Rwandan High Court

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has referred the case of Charles Sikubwabo to the authorities in Rwanda, who will in turn send it for trial by the Rwandan High Court.  Mr. Sikubwabo, a former mayor of Gishyita in the western Kibuye prefecture, is charged with genocide or complicity in genocide, as well as conspiracy to commit genocide and crimes against humanity. In November 2010, the ICTR’s Prosecutor had requested that the court refer the case to Rwanda.

The ICTR judges ordered that Mr. Sikubwabo’s case be handed over to the Prosecutor-General of Rwanda, as soon as possible and no later than 30 days after the ICTR decision has become final.  The referral chamber expressed its hope that Rwanda, in accepting referrals from the ICTR, will put into practice commitments it has made about its good faith, capacity and willingness to enforce the highest standards of international justice in the referred cases.

The ICTR judges requested Rwanda to provide the tribunal or the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals with quarterly reports on efforts taken to apprehend Mr. Sikubwabo until the time when the accused is arrested or Rwanda receives news and confirmation of his death.

(mew) (Adapted from a UN Press Release)