Legal Definitions - International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was a special international court established by the United Nations Security Council. Its primary purpose was to prosecute individuals responsible for genocide and other severe violations of international humanitarian law that occurred in Rwanda and neighboring states during the specific period of January 1 to December 31, 1994. Located in Arusha, Tanzania, the ICTR played a crucial role in holding perpetrators accountable for some of the most horrific crimes of the late 20th century, contributing significantly to the development of international criminal justice.

Here are some examples illustrating the function and impact of the ICTR:

• Example 1: Prosecution of a former government minister.

  A former high-ranking government official, who used his position to organize and direct mass killings of Tutsi civilians and moderate Hutus in a particular province during 1994, was arrested years later in a different country. He was subsequently transferred to the ICTR for trial.

  How this illustrates the term: This scenario directly reflects the ICTR's mandate to prosecute individuals responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed within Rwanda during the specified timeframe. The tribunal had jurisdiction over high-level perpetrators who orchestrated these crimes.

• Example 2: Holding media figures accountable for incitement.

  The owner of a popular radio station, known for broadcasting inflammatory messages that dehumanized the Tutsi population and explicitly called for their extermination throughout 1994, was indicted by the ICTR. The tribunal sought to hold him responsible for incitement to genocide, recognizing the powerful role of media in fueling the violence.

  How this illustrates the term: This example demonstrates the ICTR's broad interpretation of "persons responsible for genocide." It extended beyond direct killers to include those who used their influence, such as through media, to incite and facilitate the commission of these grave crimes, thereby contributing to the severe violations of international humanitarian law.

• Example 3: Establishing legal precedents for sexual violence as a component of genocide.

  In one of its landmark cases, the ICTR convicted a former mayor for his role in orchestrating widespread sexual violence, including rape and sexual enslavement, against Tutsi women as part of a broader plan to destroy the Tutsi ethnic group in his commune during 1994. The tribunal explicitly ruled that these acts constituted a form of genocide.

  How this illustrates the term: This highlights the ICTR's critical role not only in prosecuting individuals but also in developing international law. By recognizing sexual violence as a direct component of genocide, the tribunal clarified and expanded the understanding of what constitutes "genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law," setting important legal precedents for future international courts.