Transfer to Rwanda the ICTR's Archives

To:  Secretary General of the United Nations and the Security Council

Your Excellency, Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations,
Your Excellency, Members of the UN Security Council of the,

Subject: Transfer to Rwanda the ICTR’s Archives and the Seat of the Residual Mechanisms

After the Genocide in Rwanda in 1994, the UN Security Council (UNSC) created the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) by resolution 955 of 8 November 1994 with the purpose of contributing to the process of national reconciliation in Rwanda and to the maintenance of peace in the region.

The ICTR was established for the prosecution of persons responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed on the Rwandan territory with its headquarters in the north of Tanzania (Arusha). A long way from Rwandans in general and particularly victims who needed justice closer to them.

The UN Security Council in its resolution 1503 (2003) of 28 August 2003 called upon the Tribunal to take all possible measures to complete all trial activities at first instance by the end of 2008 and to complete all work in 2010.

After the incapacity to meet this deadline emerged, the UNSC encouraged the Tribunal’s “efforts toward the completion of their work at the earliest date”.

With the closure of the ICTR, the UN has the duty to make an important decision about the transfer of its Archives and the Seat of the Residual Mechanism to wind up the job.

In the first place, it was wrong, even insulting, to establish the ICTR outside of Rwanda contrary to the case of Sierra Leone’s Tribunal.

Now as ICTR is about to complete its task, it would sound even worse to consider relocating its archive in any other country than Rwanda.

We, Rwandans and Friends, are humbly and firmly requesting you to make a fair decision of transferring the Tribunal’s Archives and the Seat of the Residual Mechanism to Rwanda, in the existing premises of the UN.

We believe that you bear in mind the people of Rwanda still suffering from the wounds of the Genocide, and understand that this decision would be pivotal facilitating future prosecutions (as several perpetrators are still at large), as well as serving as historic record and contributing to the country’s peace and reconciliation process.

Rwandans and Friends.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Transfer to Rwanda the ICTR's Archives Petition to Secretary General of the United Nations and the Security Council was created by Rwandan and Friends and written by Martin Semukanya (msemukanya@hotmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.