May 9, 2003
The Registrar of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has appealed to African human rights ministers gathered in Kigali to support the court's efforts to pursue those responsible for genocide and crimes against humanity.
In an address to the Second Ministerial Conference on Human and People's Rights in Africa - held from 6 to 8 May - Adama Dieng, the Tribunal's Registrar, yesterday urged the international community to establish a special fund for victims of the genocide. He also appealed for psychological and financial assistance to these victims who, sadly, are not accommodated by the ad hoc international legal system, which delivers retributive justice.
"In light of the vital importance of the ICTR's mission…I appeal in the strongest terms to Africa to be more mindful of the existence and work of the Tribunal," he said. The Registrar also recognized the efforts of the Rwandan Government that, despite the difficulties it faces, devotes at least 5 per cent of its national budget each year to support genocide victims.
The Ministerial Conference – held under the auspices of the African Union – went on to adopt the Kigali Declaration yesterday, which in paragraph 6 reiterates the rejection of impunity by reaffirming a commitment to pursue those responsible for the genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Further, the Conference appealed to all members of the African community to cooperate fully with the ICTR, and to give it political and financial support, in particular in the areas of arrest of suspects/accused, protection of witnesses/victims, enforcement of sentences, and compensation for victims and civil litigants.
During his time in Kigali, the Registrar also met with several Rwandan officials and also, took the opportunity to seek the assistance of the international community, in particular that of the Egyptian Government, in garnering the political and financial support needed to fulfil the Tribunal's mandate.
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