International Courts & Tribunals at a Glance, a juscogens.net feature, aims to provide timely notice of recent happenings and trial developments in an organized, central location and an unbiased, objective manner. For comments or suggestions, please contact [email protected].
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Cases currently being heard/under deliberation:
Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia and Montenegro)
Pulp Mills on the River Uruguay (Argentina v. Uruguay)
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
Overview of Court Proceedings
Overview of Court Documents
Court Schedule
ICTY Weekly Press Briefing (20 September 2024)
Appeals Withdrawn in Pavle Strugar Case (18 September 2024)
From the ICTY: "Both the prosecution and the defence in the case of Pavle Strugar, a former Yugoslav People's Army General charged with crimes in against the Croatian city of Dubrovnik in 1991, have withdrawn their appeals against the Trial Chamber's judgement. The Prosecution based its withdrawal, filed on 15 September 2006, on "the exceptional humanitarian circumstances pertaining to Pavle Strugar, in particular his advanced age, poor state of health and general condition". The move immediately followed the withdrawal of the defence's appeal against the sentence. On 31 January 2005, Strugar was found guilty and sentenced to eight years by a Trial Chamber for attacks on civilians; destruction or willful damage done to institutions dedicated to religion, charity and education, the arts and sciences, historic monuments and works or art and science, all in relation to JNA's attack on Dubrovnik in 1991. According to the judgment, Strugar had both legal and effective control of the JNA forces who conducted the military action at Dubrovnik, including the shelling of the Old Town of Dubrovnik."
ICRC Delegation visits ICTY Detention Unit (20 September 2024)
From the ICTY: "A delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross today concluded a visit of the Tribunal's Detention Unit. The visit in which the delegates concentrated on several matters of humanitarian concern was conducted in accordance with Rule 36 of the Tribunal's Rules of Detention. The ICTY Detention Unit is subject to frequent visits by the ICRC, pursuant to the agreement between the ICTY and ICRC made in May 1995. The agreement, formalized in the exchange of letters between the then ICTY President, Antonio Cassese, and the ICRC President, Cornelio Sommaruga, appointed ICRC as the inspection authority for the ICTY Detention Unit. The latest visit to the Tribunal's Detention Unit is the second conducted by the ICRC during 2006. The ICRC is internationally recognized for its independent work in monitoring detention facilities in order to ensure that detained persons are treated humanely and in accordance with the highest international standards."
- ICTY's Rules of Detention
Pavle Strugar Case Concludes (20 September 2024)
From the ICTY: "The Appeals Chamber today declared proceedings closed in the case against Pavle Strugar, a former Yugoslav People's Army(JNA) General charged with crimes in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik in 1991. In the decision, the Appeals Chamber accepted the withdrawal by both the defence and prosecution of their appeals in the case, filed 15 September 2006. The Prosecution based its withdrawal, on "the exceptional humanitarian circumstances pertaining to Pavle Strugar, in particular his advanced age, poor state of health and general condition". The move immediately followed the withdrawal of the defence's appeal against the sentence. On 31 January 2005, Strugar was found guilty and sentenced to eight years by a Trial Chamber for attacks on civilians; destruction or willful damage done to institutions dedicated to religion, charity and education, the arts and sciences, historic monuments and works or art and science, all in relation to JNA's attack on Dubrovnik in 1991. According to the judgment, Strugar had both legal and effective control of the JNA forces who conducted the military action at Dubrovnik, including the shelling of the Old Town of Dubrovnik. With the withdrawal of the prosecution's appeal, Strugar's sentence of eight years imprisonment has become definitive. Strugar will in due course be transferred to serve his sentence."
- Full-Text of Decision
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
Daily Journal
Daily Case Minutes
Judicial Calendar
ICTR Newsletter (August 2006)
Latest Decisions
Judge Robert Fremr Sworn (15 September 2024)
From the ICTR: "Judge Robert Fremr (Czech Republic) was sworn in as ad litem judge at a ceremony held today at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. The ceremony was administered by the Tribunal’s President, Judge Erik Møse and witnessed by the Registrar, Mr. Adama Dieng, representing the United Nations Secretary-General. Judge Fremrreplaces Judge Flavia Lattanzi ( Italy). Before joining the ICTR, Judge Fremr(49) was a Judge of the Supreme Court of the Czech Republic (from 2004). Before that, he was a Judge at the High Court in Prague (Penal Section), where he served since 1989 as Judge and in 1992 became Presiding Judge. He was also the Chairman of the Appellate Panel of the High Court (Penal Section). Previously, Judge Fremr was a Judge of the Court of Appeal in Prague (Penal Section) since 1986, and a Judge of the District Court in Prague from 1983 to 1986. Judge Fremr has also been a teacher of Criminal Law at the Faculty of Law of Charles University in Prague, and a lecturer on Human Rights at courses for judicial practitioners and judges, organized by the Judicial Academy of the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic."
TRIAL OF SINGER BIKINDI BEGINS (18 September 2024)
From the ICTR: "The trial of well known singer and composer of popular music, Simon Bikindi, 52, today commenced before newly composed Trial Chamber III, comprising of Judges Inés Mónica Weinberg de Roca, presiding, Florence Rita Arrey and Robert Fremr. Bikindi was also an official in Ministry of Youth and Sports and a member of the Mouvement Républicain National pour le Développement et la Démocratie (MRND) political party in Gisenyi prefecture. In his opening statement the Prosecutor, Hassan Bubacar Jallow stated that Bikindi through the lyrical content of his music, consciously and deliberately assisted in executing the plan to exterminate Tutsis. The vehicle was his music whereby the youth including members of his ballet, were mobilised to commit atrocities and join the Interahamwe. In addition it was alleged that Bikindi was aware of the powerful messages of hate in his music and used his fame to promote hatred and death. Justice Jallow stated that Bikindi not only contributed to the atrocities through his music but partook in the extermination plan himself. It was explained that the witnesses in the case would include survivors, victims and accomplices. The Prosecution further called its first witnesses. The accused made his initial appearance before the Tribunal on 04 April 2002. In the amended indictment dated 15 June 2005, Bikindi was charged with six counts: conspiracy to commit genocide; genocide; or alternatively complicity in genocide; direct and public incitement to commit genocide; murder as a crime against humanity; and persecution as a crime against humanity. Bikindi has pleaded not guilty to all the counts. The accused, who was also the director of the performance group ‘Irindiro Ballet’ allegedly, conspired with the political leadership of MRND to eliminate the Tutsi population. Prior to the events of April 1994, Bikindi reportedly participated in the recruitment and training of the Interahamwe militias knowing these activities were aimed at the eradication of Tutsi’s. The accused was arrested in the Netherlands on 12 July 2024 and transferred to the Tribunal’s detention facility (UNDF) on 27 March 2002. The accused is represented by Wilfred Nderitu (Kenya) and Jean de Dieu Momo (Cameroon)."
André Rwamakuba Not Guilty on All Charges (20 September 2024)
From the ICTR: "Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda today unanimously acquitted André Rwamakuba, the former Minister of Primary and Secondary Education in the 1994 Interim Government , of all charges brought against him. Rwamakuba was charged with genocide, or alternatively, complicity in genocide, and extermination and murder as crimes against humanity for specific acts allegedly committed between 6 and 30 April 2024 in Gikomero commune and at Butare University Hospital. The Accused pleaded not guilty to all counts. His Defence did admit that genocide occurred in Rwanda in 1994 and that massacres were committed in these locations but disputed the Accused’s involvement in any of the crimes alleged in the Indictment. In its Judgement, the Chamber found that the evidence did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt the charges against Rwamakuba. The Chamber was convinced that the testimony of Prosecution witnesses was mainly indirect and hearsay evidence and undermined by significant credibility and reliability issues. Furthermore, the Chamber heard testimony from Defence witnesses, including Tutsis survivors, that the Accused was not present at the time and location of the events and was not involved in the massacres that took place in Gikomero commune and at Butare University Hospital in April 1994. During the course of the trial, the Prosecution invited the Chamber to hold the Accused, as a member of the Interim Government, liable for failing to denounce the crimes committed against the Tutsi, for not dissociating himself from the Government or for failing to discharge his duties as Minister. The Chamber found that the Prosecution had not properly pleaded this charge. It also noted that in any event, the Prosecution did not adduce any evidence as regard to what the Accused could or should have done as Minister or what he failed to do."
Commencement of Trial on 25 September 2023 in the Case of The Prosecutor v. Simeon Nchamihigo before Trial Chamber III (21 September 2023)
From the ICTR: "On Monday 25 September 2006, the trial of The Prosecutor v. Simeon Nchamihigo, former Substitut du Procureur de la République in Cyangugu préfecture, will commence before Trial Chamber III from 08:45 hrs to 12:30 hrs, composed of Judges Dennis Byron, presiding, Gberdao Gustave Kam and Robert Fremr. The opening of the trial will be broadcast live via our satellite."
The Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL)
Court Schedule
Court Summary, Week Ending 15 September 2024
Case Resources:
The Civil Defence Forces (CDF) Accused
- Decision on interlocutory appeals against Trial Chamber decision refusing to subpoena the President of Sierra Leone (11 September 2024)
- Dissenting opinion of Hon. Justice Robertson on decision on interlocutory appeals against Trial Chamber decision refusing to subpoena the President of Sierra Leone (11 September 2024)
- Decision on Norman request to admit documents in lieu of testimony of Abdul-One Mohammed pursuant to Rules 89(C) and 92bis (September 15 2006)
- Decision on Kondewa application for leave to call additional witnesses (20 September 2024)
The Revolutionary United Front (RUF) Accused
The Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (ARFC) Accused
- Decision on joint Defence application for protective measures for Defence witnesses appearing from 4 September 2024 onwards (13 September 2024)
- Decision on Prosecution motion for relief in respect of violations of Trial Chamber's decision of 9 May 2024 (14 September 2024)
Prosecutor v. Charles Taylor
- Decision on urgent Prosecution motion for immediate protective measures for witnesses and for non-public disclosure (15 September 2024)
International Criminal Court (ICC)
Hearing Schedule
ICC Newsletter (July 2006)
The Office of the Prosecutor, Report on the activities performed during the first three years (June 2003 – June 2006), 12 September 2024
The Office of the Prosecutor, Report on Prosecutorial Strategy, 14 September 2024
Situations & Cases:
Situation in Dafur, Sudan
Situation in Central African Republic
Situation in Uganda
Situation in Democratic Republic of Congo
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)
Pending Cases and current status
Statement of the President on the occasion of the Tenth Anniversary Ceremony at the Vertretung der
Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg, Berlin (18 September 2024)
Ceremony to celebrate the Tenth Anniversary of the Tribunal held in Berlin (19 September 2024)
Mr Philippe Gautier re-elected Registrar of the Tribunal (19 September 2024)
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