ICTR stands for International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. It was established by the United Nations in 1994 in response to the Rwandan Genocide, which occurred between April and July of that year. The ICTR was created to bring to justice those responsible for the genocide, where an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed.
The primary objective of the ICTR is to prosecute and convict individuals who committed genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes during the Rwandan Genocide. It has the authority to prosecute both individuals from Rwanda and those from any other country who played a role in the genocide. The Tribunal operates under the legal framework of international law, with its jurisdiction based on the Statute of the ICTR.
The ICTR consists of a Trial Chamber, an Appeals Chamber, and a Registry. The Trial Chamber is responsible for conducting trials, while the Appeals Chamber hears appeals from those convicted by the Trial Chamber. The Registry supports the judicial work by managing the administrative, logistical, and legal affairs of the ICTR.
In addition to prosecuting individuals, the ICTR also plays a crucial role in preserving historical records and documenting the atrocities committed during the Rwandan Genocide. It seeks to provide justice for the victims and contribute to the reconciliation and healing process in Rwanda.
While the ICTR initially had a mandate to complete its work by 2014, it extended its operations until 2015 to complete ongoing cases and ensure a smooth transition to the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT), which took over the residual functions of both the ICTR and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
