On April 5, 2012, the President of the Tribunal, Judge Vagn Joensen, ruled that Uwinkindi should be transferred to Rwanda “within 14 days of the filing of this decision” and instructed the Registrar to “make all other necessary arrangements.”
“The President directs the Registrar to immediately begin discussions with Rwanda to determine what is necessary to effectuate the transfer of Jean Uwinkindi,” reads part of the decision.
According to the ruling, the President has also directed the Registrar to appoint ICTR Legal Staff that would be chosen in consultation with him to act as “interim monitor” upon the transfer of the accused and until the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR) or other organization is appointed as monitor.
He has, therefore, directed the Registrar to immediately resume negotiations with the ACHPR with the goal of expeditiously conclude an agreement for the monitoring of the trial and promptly inform him in the event of any further difficulties, so that he could assist in the process or decide otherwise.
On June 28, 2011, a Referral Chamber at ICTR approved the transfer of Uwinkindi to Rwanda and ordered the appointment of ACHPR as monitoring body for his trial. The decision was confirmed on appeal on December 16, 2011.
Two other cases involving genocide-fugitives, Fulgence Kayishema and Charles Sikubwabo, have been refereed by the Tribunal to Rwanda for trial. A hearing has been organized on April 12, for another referral application involving genocide-accused, Bernard Munyagishari.
Pastor Uwinkindi is charged with genocide and extermination. He was born in Rutsiro commune, Kibuye prefecture (West Rwanda) in 1951. The defendant was arrested in connection with the charges on June 30, 2010 in Uganda and transferred to the seat of ICTR in Arusha, Tanzania, two days later.
FK/NI/GF