Report of Proceedings - International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

The Registry provides impartial, fair, and transparent support to all parties, harnessing
international political and financial support. The role of the Registry is also to provide
logistical support, including office accommodations and human resources. Providing human
resources has been controversial but the ICC will not have this problem because it is
completely autonomous.
The Registry also provides servicing. In national jurisdictions, “servicing” is used to refer
to administrative services. However in the international setting it means something different.
The Registry provides internal and external communication. Internally, all communications
from judges and parties are channelled through the Registry. It also provides interpretation and
translation of proceedings. Externally, it keeps the public records and documents.
The Registry also handles the work of publicity for the Tribunal and manages it judicial
archives and recording of public hearings. An external relation’ section has been established to
handle relations with member States, international organisations, and non-governmental
groups, and to strengthen co-operation with host country government.
Included in administration of the Tribunal is the management of witnesses and victims.
This includes bringing witnesses and providing support for the defence and prosecution.
Protective measures are taken for victims and witnesses and the Registry must provide relevant
physical and psychological support, including for rape victims, as well as support and
protection for life, family, and property.
The other important aspect of the Registry’s work is the medical and psychological support
that it provides. It facilitates access to external medical care and payment of related bills, and
provides in-house medical care. During the genocide, many were raped and are now infected
with HIV/AIDS. The provision of medical and psychological care has raised serious concerns
as to how far can the Registry go into providing physical and psychological rehabilitation
under Rule 34. For example, the Registry established a medical unit in Kigali with a
psychologist, gynaecologist, nurse psychologist, and it also provides treatment for HIV/AIDS.
Mr. Dieng concluded his presentation by noting that there are many additional challenges
to be overcome by the Registry. They are intimately linked to the Registry’s ability to carry out
its mandate. To address these challenges, the Registry must remain impartial, fair, transparent
and effective in the provision of all necessary support to all parties involved in the trial
proceedings. It must enlist support to the work of the Tribunal, establish conditions of a cooperation
framework, harness political support from member States, and mobilise financial
resources. Finally, the Registry must promote and publicise the work of the tribunal in
Rwanda, in the Great Lakes region, and throughout the world, thereby contributing to the
national unity and reconciliation process in Rwanda.
“Rwanda: 10 years after the Genocide: Creating Conditions for Justice and
Reconciliation,” presented by Mr. Martin Ngoga
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