CHIEF PROSECUTOR BRAMMERTZ CONCLUDES MISSION TO RWANDA

Mr. Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, has concluded an official visit to Kigali, Rwanda from 10 to 12 March 2025, as part of the ongoing cooperation between the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) and Rwandan authorities in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for crimes committed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Source UN

The Prosecutor had high-level meetings with the Minister of Justice, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Charge of Regional Cooperation, Gen. (Rtd) James Kabarebe, the Prosecutor General, Angélique Habyarimana, and the Deputy Secretary-General of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau, Consolée Kamarampaka.

Prosecutor Brammertz presented the OTP’s recent results in responding to requests for assistance submitted by Rwandan authorities, pursuant to Article 28(3) of the Mechanism Statute. The OTP obtained evidence and information accounting for twenty-three fugitives indicted by the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA). The OTP further obtained evidence and information on the current whereabouts of eight fugitives, and offered its assistance to secure the arrest of these individuals. The OTP also presented its analysis of challenges in securing the extradition of fugitives to Rwanda, and offered its support to resolve this strategic issue. Finally, the OTP briefed on its work to assist national prosecutors in countries around the world to locate, investigate and prosecute fugitive génocidaires. In this regard, the Prosecutor noted that in 2024, the OTP responded to the largest number of requests for assistance related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in the history of the Mechanism.

Prosecutor Brammertz and interlocutors discussed future cooperation and collaboration to secure more justice for more victims and survivors. Rwandan authorities reaffirmed their strong support to the OTP for its work to assist prosecutors in Rwanda and other countries to locate fugitives, complete investigations and bring perpetrators to justice. In particular, the Prosecutor General requested the OTP to establish joint teams with the NPPA to conduct investigations of fugitives recently located by the OTP. The Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General further requested the OTP’s assistance to liaise with other national prosecutors and strengthen trilateral cooperation, including in the extradition of fugitives to Rwanda. The Prosecutor and Prosecutor General also agreed on strategic priorities for the coming period.

The Prosecutor also met with members of the diplomatic community.

The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) was established by UN Security Council Resolution 1966 (2010) to complete the remaining work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia after the completion of their respective mandates. The Mechanism has two branches, one in Arusha, Tanzania, and one in The Hague, Netherlands.