International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

Definition

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was a court established by the United Nations in 1994 to prosecute individuals responsible for the Rwandan genocide and other serious violations of international law that occurred during that time. The ICTR played a crucial role in holding accountable those who orchestrated the genocide, contributing to justice and reconciliation efforts in Rwanda and setting important precedents for international law.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ICTR was established by UN Security Council Resolution 955 on November 8, 1994, shortly after the genocide ended.
2. It was headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania, and conducted trials for key figures involved in the genocide, including government officials and military leaders.
3. The tribunal was significant for its groundbreaking rulings that helped shape international humanitarian law, including the recognition of rape as a form of genocide.
4. The ICTR completed its work in December 2015, having indicted 93 individuals and holding numerous trials that contributed to establishing accountability for the atrocities committed.
5. The tribunal's legacy includes efforts to promote transitional justice and reconciliation in Rwanda, as well as influencing the establishment of other international courts.

Review Questions

• What was the purpose of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and how did it address the crimes committed during the Rwandan genocide?
  • The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was established to prosecute those responsible for the Rwandan genocide and other serious violations of international law that took place during that period. Its purpose was to ensure accountability for war crimes and genocide, providing justice for victims and setting a precedent for future international tribunals. The ICTR played a critical role in investigating these crimes, conducting trials, and delivering verdicts against high-profile perpetrators.
• In what ways did the ICTR influence international law, particularly regarding definitions of genocide and war crimes?
  • The ICTR had a significant impact on international law by refining legal definitions related to genocide and war crimes. It established important legal precedents, such as recognizing rape as an act of genocide, which expanded the scope of what constitutes war crimes under international law. The tribunal's rulings have been cited in subsequent cases and continue to influence how international law is applied in addressing similar atrocities worldwide.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the ICTR in promoting justice and reconciliation in Rwanda after the genocide, considering its successes and shortcomings.
  • The effectiveness of the ICTR in promoting justice and reconciliation in Rwanda can be seen through both its successes and shortcomings. On one hand, it successfully held many key perpetrators accountable, which contributed to establishing a historical record of the genocide and fostering a sense of justice among survivors. However, challenges such as limited reach—only prosecuting a fraction of those responsible—and issues with public perception diminished its overall impact on national reconciliation. Ultimately, while it laid important groundwork for accountability, additional efforts at local levels were necessary to fully achieve long-term peace and healing in Rwandan society.

Related terms

Rwandan Genocide:

A mass slaughter of the Tutsi minority by the Hutu majority government in Rwanda, which took place over a span of approximately 100 days from April to July 1994.

Genocide Convention: An international treaty that defines genocide in legal terms and obligates its signatories to prevent and punish the crime of genocide.

Ad Hoc Tribunal: A temporary court set up to deal with specific issues or cases, such as the ICTR, which was created specifically to address the crimes committed during the Rwandan genocide.