News
ICTR Shows Films of Arusha Proceedings2006-08-22All Africa Global Mediaby Emmy Namurinda In a bid to enlighten Byumba town residents about the ongoings in Arusha, the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (UNICTR) and its outreach programme in Gicumbi District, last week, showed recordings of the Arusha proceedings. Speaking to The New Times, Innocent Kamanzi, the ICTR (Rwanda) Director of Information said, "the objective of this programme is to show the people that Gacaca complements international justice and that ICTR deals with the planners of the genocide." ICTR officials also explained why the court was located in Arusha and why it will relocate to Rwanda. "Rwanda courts were not yet mature by then, since the country had just experienced war and genocide. But now things are improving in the ordinary courts and have modern facilitates to handle case proceedings. There is also a modern prison facility in Gitarama and a well established judicial system," Kamanzi said. He added that the films will help promote unity and reconciliation among Rwandans; for instance, the ones that show genocide perpetuators, confessing their crimes and asking for forgiveness from families of people they killed, the government and the general public. He stressed that this leaves an impact on peoples' minds and touches their hearts and those who killed gain strength to confess and those whose family members were killed gain strength to forgive. He also pointed out that films showing the proceedings will also be shown in schools and prisons. Those interviewed after watching the films were appreciative and called on those who participated in the genocide to confess and tell the truth in bid to promote reconciliation. Nzarora Patrick, 27, said "telling the truth without hiding anything is the only solution. What we need now is truth. It's time to face reality and those who are still hiding should come out." The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was established by UN Resolution 955 on November 8, 1994. The Security Council established the Tribunal following a number of commissioned reports on the situation in Rwanda, which indicated that genocide and other systematic, widespread and flagrant violations of international humanitarian law had been committed in Rwanda. It was determined that the situation constituted a threat to international peace and security. The Tribunal was essentially established for the prosecution of persons responsible for the genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in Rwanda during 1994. It may also deal with the prosecution of Rwandan citizens responsible for genocide and other violations of international law committed in neighbouring countries during the same period.
Channel: USHMM: International Law
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