The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

Abstract

Following the establishment of the Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia in May 1993, the Security Council created on 8 November 1994 a second ad hoc international criminal court, the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Genocide or Other Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda and Rwandan Citizens Responsible for Genocide and Other Such Violations Committed in the Territory of Neighbouring States, Between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1994 (Res. 955). The Council had expressed its grave concern at the reports indicating that genocide and other systematic, widespread and flagrant violations of international humanitarian law had been committed in Rwanda and determined that this situation continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security. The establishment of the Tribunal would contribute to ensuring that such violations were halted and effectively redressed and would also contribute to the process of national reconciliation and to the restoration and maintenance of peace. The Council decided that ‘all States shall cooperate fully with the … Tribunal …’.