Rwanda, UN court discuss continued cooperation to secure justice for genocide victims

KIGALI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), held talks with Rwandan officials aimed at strengthening cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of individuals responsible for crimes committed during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, according to a statement issued in the Rwandan capital of Kigali on Friday.

Brammertz, who concluded his visit on Thursday, held high-level talks with Rwandan Minister of Justice Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Minister of State for Regional Integration in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs James Kabarebe, Prosecutor General Angelique Habyarimana, and Deputy Secretary General of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau Consolee Kamarampaka.

"The Office of the Prosecutor obtained evidence and information on the current whereabouts of eight fugitives, and offered its assistance to secure the arrest of these individuals. Prosecutor Brammertz and interlocutors discussed future cooperation and collaboration to secure more justice for more victims and survivors," the statement said.

Rwandan authorities "reaffirmed their strong support" to the office of the prosecutor for its work to assist prosecutors in Rwanda and other countries to locate fugitives, complete investigations, and bring perpetrators to justice, it added.

The IRMCT was set up by the United Nations Security Council in December 2010 to take over and finish the remaining tasks of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. ■