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Contempt Appeal Judgement - 19.07.2011 HARTMANN Florence
(IT-02-54-R77.5-A)

158. The Appeals Chamber considers that Hartmann appears to submit that, had the Trial Chamber enforced a “strong” presumption in favour of unrestricted publicity, it would have ruled in her favour and permitted her to disclose confidential information pursuant to her freedom of expression rights. The Appeals Chamber considers that there is no merit in Hartmann’s submission. There is no strong presumption of unrestricted publicity for matters a Chamber has ruled are not to be disclosed to the public. This was made clear in the Jović case, in which it was held that:

The effect of a closed session order is to exclude the public, including members of the press, from the proceedings and to prevent them from coming into possession of the protected information being discussed therein. In such cases, the presumption of public proceedings under Article 20(4) of the Statute does not apply. [1]

159. At the heart of Hartmann’s submission is the alleged inconsistency of the Trial Judgement with freedom of expression principles recognised by the ECHR. The Appeals Chamber is not bound by the findings of regional or international courts and as such is not bound by ECtHR jurisprudence.[2]

160. The Appeals Chamber notes that Article 21 of the Statute of the Tribunal mirrors the provisions of Article 14 of the ICCPR.[3] The ICCPR and its commentaries are thus among the most persuasive sources in delineating the applicable protections for freedom of expression in the context of the Tribunal’s proceedings.[4] The Human Rights Committee of the United Nations (“Human Rights Committee”) has interpreted Article 14(1) of the ICCPR to require that courts’ judgements be made public, with “certain strictly defined exceptions.”[5] The Appeals Chamber notes that, although Article 19(2) of the ICCPR states that “[e]veryone shall have the right to freedom of expression,” Article 19(3) recognises that

The exercise of the right provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:

(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others;

(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.

The travaux préparatoires of the ICCPR indicate that the “protection of […] public order” in Article 19(3) was intended to include the prohibition of the procurement and dissemination of confidential information.[7] In respect of whether the restriction to an individual’s freedom of expression is “necessary” to achieve its aim, the Human Rights Committee has considered whether the action taken was proportionate to the sought-after aim.[8]

161. Based upon the foregoing, therefore, in order to legitimately restrict Hartmann’s freedom of expression under Article 19 of the ICCPR, the restriction must have been provided by law and proportionately necessary to protect against the dissemination of confidential information.[9] The two Appeal Decisions in the case of Prosecutor v. Slobodan Milošević contained restrictions on the freedom of expression that were “provided by law” because they were filed confidentially under protective measures granted pursuant to Rule 54 bis of the Rules. Furthermore, restricting Hartmann’s freedom of expression in this manner was both proportionate and necessary because it protected the “public order” by guarding against the dissemination of confidential information. These restrictions were therefore within the ambit of Article 19(3) of the ICCPR.

162. In this regard, the Appeals Chamber observes that the Trial Chamber found that the effect of Hartmann’s disclosure of confidential information decreased the likelihood that states would cooperate with the Tribunal in the future, thereby undermining its ability to exercise its jurisdiction to prosecute and punish serious violations of humanitarian law.[10] The Trial Chamber further found that prosecuting an individual for contempt under these circumstances was proportionate to the effect her actions had on the Tribunal’s ability to administer international criminal justice.[11] The Appeals Chamber is therefore of the view that the Trial Chamber was correct to conclude that Rule 54 bis of the Rules permits the Tribunal to impose confidentiality in an effort to secure the cooperation of sovereign states.[12] In light of the foregoing, the Appeals Chamber is satisfied that the Trial Chamber adequately took into account all relevant considerations to ensure that its Judgement was rendered in conformity with international law.[13]

163. Hartmann also relies on an Appeals Chamber decision in Brđanin to support her argument that the Trial Chamber erred by failing to consider the public’s right to receive information disclosed by Hartmann in evaluating the proportionality of the interference with her freedom of expression.[14] In the instant case, however, the Appeals Chamber considers that the Trial Chamber did explicitly consider the public’s right to receive information. In evaluating the proportionality of the interference with Hartmann’s freedom of expression, it considered certain factors that were:

salient in weighing the public interests involved: namely, the public interest in receiving the information and the protection of confidential information to facilitate the administration of international criminal justice, which is also in the public interest, indeed, on an international scale.

164. Finally, the Appeals Chamber considers ARTICLE 19’s discussion of national legal standards regarding freedom of expression.[16] While ARTICLE 19 sets out different ways in which domestic jurisdictions address freedom of expression in the context of contempt of court, it cites no jurisprudence to support the position that contempt proceedings for disclosing confidential information in violation of a court order impermissibly restrict an individual’s freedom of expression.

[1] Jović Contempt Appeal Judgement [Prosecutor v. Josip Jović, Case No. IT-95-14 & 14/2-R77-A, Judgement, 15 March 2007], para. 21.

[2] Prosecutor v. Jadranko Prlić et al., Case No. IT-04-74-AR73.6, Decision on Appeals Against Decision Admitting Transcript of Jadranko Prlić’s Questioning into Evidence, 23 November 2007, para. 51. In the Delalić et al. Appeal Judgement, the Appeals Chamber stated that, “[a]lthough the Appeals Chamber will necessarily take into consideration other decisions of international courts, it may, after careful consideration, come to a different conclusion”. Delalić et al. Appeal Judgement [Prosecutor v. Zejnil Delalić et al., Case No. IT-96-21-A, Judgement, 20 February 2001], para. 24.

[3] See U.N. Security Council, Report of the Secretary-General Pursuant to Paragraph 2 of Security Council Resolution 808 (1993), U.N. Doc. S/25704, 3 May 1993, para. 106. This Report was issued pursuant to U.N. Security Council Resolution 808, which requested the Secretary-General “to submit for consideration by the [Security] Council […] a report” on the establishment of the Tribunal. See U.N. Security Council Resolution 808, U.N. Doc, S/RES/808 (1993), p. 2.

[4] The ICCPR has 167 state parties and, as such, is considered to be closer to universal application than the European Convention, which is a regional human rights instrument. See United Nations Treaty Collection, <http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-4&chapter=4&lang=en>, accessed 11 July 2011. The Appeals Chamber in the Barayagwiza Decision stated that the ICCPR “is part of general international law and is applied on that basis.” In contrast, the Appeals Chamber indicated that, “[r]egional human rights treaties, such as the [ECHR] and the American Convention on Human Rights, and the jurisprudence developed thereunder, are persuasive authority which may be of assistance in applying and interpreting the Tribunal’s applicable law. Thus, they are not binding of their own accord on the Tribunal. They are, however, authoritative as evidence of international custom.” Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza v. The Prosecutor, Case. No. ICTR-97-19-AR72, Decision, 3 November 1999, para. 40.

[5] CCPR General Comment No. 13: Article 14 (Administration of Justice) Equality before the Courts and the Right to a Fair and Public Hearing by an Independent Court Established by Law, 13 April 1984, para. 6.

[6] ICCPR, Article 19(3). Article 14(1) of the ICCPR also restricts a journalist’s right to report on court proceedings. It states, inter alia, that “the press and the public may be excluded from all or part of a trial for reasons of morals, public order (ordre public) or national security in a democratic society, or when the interest of the private lives of the parties so requires, or to the extent strictly necessary in the opinion of the court in special circumstances where publicity would prejudice the interests of justice”. This provision was cited in the Blaškić and Jović cases. See Jović Contempt Trial Judgement, para. 23, note 95; Prosecutor v. Tihomir Blaškić, Case No. IT-95-14-PT, Decision on the Objection of the Republic of Croatia to the Issuance of Subpoenae Duces Tecum, 18 July 1997, note 248.

[7] See Manfred Nowak, U.N. Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: CCPR Commentary 2nd Revised Edition N.P. Engel, 2005, pp. 464-65 (stating that the term “public order” “covers the grounds for restriction set out in Art. 10(2) of the [ECHR] and repeatedly proposed during the drafting of Art. 19 of the [ICCPR], namely, the procurement and dissemination of confidential information and endangering the impartiality of the judiciary”).

[8] Jong-Choel v. The Republic of Korea (CCPR Communication No. 968/2001), U.N. Doc. A/60/40 vol. II (27 July 2005), p. 60, para. 8.3; see also Marques v. Angola (CCPR Communication No. 1128/2002), U.N. Doc. A/60/40 vol. II (29 March 2005) p. 181, para. 6.8 (“The Committee observes that the requirement of necessity implies an element of proportionality, in the sense that the scope of the restriction imposed on freedom of expression must be proportional to the value which the restriction serves to protect.”).

[9] See CCPR General Comment No. 10: Freedom of Expression (Art. 19), 29 June 1983, para. 4; see also Kim Jong-Cheol v. Republic of Korea, para. 8.3; Marques v. Angola, para. 6.8.

[10] Trial Judgement [In the Case Against Florence Hartmann, Case No. IT-02-54-R77.5, Judgement on Allegations of Contempt, 14 September 2009], para. 74.

[11] Trial Judgement [In the Case Against Florence Hartmann, Case No. IT-02-54-R77.5, Judgement on Allegations of Contempt, 14 September 2009], para. 74.

[12] Trial Judgement [In the Case Against Florence Hartmann, Case No. IT-02-54-R77.5, Judgement on Allegations of Contempt, 14 September 2009], para. 72. The Trial Chamber relied upon testimony by Robin Vincent, who testified that the confidentiality breaches would lead to less cooperation by sovereign states regarding the disclosure of information, thereby affecting the Tribunal’s ability to administer international criminal justice. The Trial Chamber also noted that “the testimony was not challenged by the Accused”. See Trial Judgement [In the Case Against Florence Hartmann, Case No. IT-02-54-R77.5, Judgement on Allegations of Contempt, 14 September 2009], para. 72, note 171.

[13] ARTICLE 19’s brief discusses other human rights instruments that guarantee freedom of expression. See ARTICLE 19 Amicus Brief, para. 3. While the Appeals Chamber acknowledges that these instruments contain freedom of expression guarantees, they follow a similar approach to restrictions on freedom of expression as the European Convention and the ICCPR. The UDHR states: “In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.” UDHR, Article 29(2). The African Charter on Human Rights and Peoples states: “Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his opinions within the law”. African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, Article 9(2). The American Convention on Human Rights similarly notes: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and expression”. American Convention on Human Rights, Article 13(1). In Article 13(2), it restricts that right by noting, “The exercise of the right provided for in the foregoing paragraph shall not be subject to prior censorship but shall be subject to subsequent imposition of liability, which shall be expressly established by law to the extent necessary to ensure (a) respect for the rights or reputations of others; or (b) the protection of national security, public order, or public health or morals.” American Convention on Human Rights, Article 13(2).

[14] Hartmann Final Appeal Brief, para. 19.

[15] Trial Judgement [In the Case Against Florence Hartmann, Case No. IT-02-54-R77.5, Judgement on Allegations of Contempt, 14 September 2009], para. 73 (internal citations omitted).

[16] See ARTICLE 19 Amicus Brief, paras 30-32.

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ICTY Rule Rule 54 bis
Notion(s) Filing Case
Contempt Appeal Judgement - 19.07.2011 HARTMANN Florence
(IT-02-54-R77.5-A)

51. The legal reasoning in a confidential decision on protective measures characteristically contains references to the information or documents directly subject to an order of protective measures under the Rules, as well as references to related information or surrounding circumstances that tend to identify the documents or information directly subject to protective measures. The legal reasoning integrates such references, together with the law relevant to the determination of the issues, and the analysis of both by the Chamber in question. It therefore follows that the legal reasoning of a decision on protective measures necessarily falls within the ambit of the confidential status ordered in respect of such a decision. Similarly, the confidential submissions of parties concerning an application for protective measures and information regarding the purported effect of a decision on protective measures typically contain information tending to identify the documents or information subject to the protective measures ordered in the relevant decision. Thus, the confidentiality order respecting such a decision necessarily encompasses information concerning the purported effect of that decision and the confidential submissions of the parties regarding the application for protective measures.

52. The confidential issuance of a decision by a Chamber constitutes an order for the non-disclosure of the information contained therein, and it is not for a party to decide which aspects of a confidential decision may be disclosed.[1] This principle equally applies to third parties. The discretion as to whether the confidential status of a decision may be lifted in whole or in part belongs exclusively to a competent Chamber of the Tribunal with its intimate knowledge of all the facts, information, and circumstances surrounding the relevant case. Furthermore, “[a] court order remains in force until a Chamber decides otherwise.”[2] Accordingly, in the instant case, in the absence of an order of a competent Chamber varying or lifting the confidential status of the two Appeal Decisions, the content of both Decisions remained subject to an order of non-disclosure.

53. Regarding Hartmann’s submission that Rule 77(A)(ii) of the Rules does not encompass the particular information that Hartmann was found to have disclosed, the Appeals Chamber notes that Rule 77(A)(ii) of the Rules does not purport to restrict liability in terms of any specific kind of information that might be disclosed. Rather, the focus of Rule 77(A)(ii) of the Rules is the fact of deliberate disclosure in knowing violation of an order prohibiting disclosure. […]

76. The Appeals Chamber considers that the Trial Chamber set forth its explanation for the difference between a general legal principle, which should always be available to the public (i.e., “applicable law”), and “legal reasoning”, which is the result of a Chamber applying that “applicable law” to the facts before it and which can sometimes be withheld from the public.[3] The Appeals Chamber finds no error in the distinction drawn by the Trial Chamber between “applicable law” and “legal reasoning”, a distinction that is a regular feature of decisions issued by Chambers of the Tribunal. The Appeals Chamber also rejects Hartmann’s contention that the distinction between “applicable law” and “legal reasoning” must be provided for in Rule 77 of the Rules or international law in order for it to be employed at the Tribunal. Hartmann has therefore failed to demonstrate that the Trial Chamber erred.

92. In the present case, the filings by the Applicant and the Appeal Decisions that resulted therefrom were confidential; therefore, the content of this material was confidential until a competent Chamber of the Tribunal decided otherwise, and it was not within the authority of a party or a third party to reveal any of the confidential information. The Appeals Chamber is of the clear view that no actions on the part of associated officials or representatives of the Applicant—or any other third-parties (whether acting as agents of the Applicant or not)—could have unilaterally lifted the confidentiality of the information contained within the Appeal Decisions that Hartmann was convicted for revealing to the public. The Appeals Chamber therefore finds that the Trial Chamber did not err when it held that a decision remains confidential until a Chamber explicitly decides otherwise, and rejects sub-grounds 5.1 and 5.2.[4] […]

[1] Prosecutor v. Naser Orić, Case No. IT-03-68-A, Decision on Prosecution’s Motion to Seal Defence Appeal Brief, 10 May 2007 (confidential), p. 3.

[2] Marijačić and Rebić Contempt Appeal Judgement [Prosecutor v. Ivica Marijačić and Markica Rebić, Case No. IT-95-14-R77.2-A, Judgement, 27 September 2006], para. 45.

[3] Trial Judgement, para. 39.

[4] Trial Judgement, para. 46.

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ICTR Rule Rule 77 ICTY Rule Rule 77
Notion(s) Filing Case
Contempt Appeal Judgement - 19.07.2011 HARTMANN Florence
(IT-02-54-R77.5-A)

98. The Appeals Chamber considers that, in order to convict Hartmann, the Trial Chamber had to conclude that publishing the confidential information in the Book and Article in violation of a court order was done “knowingly and wilfully”.[1] The Trial Chamber convicted Hartmann in part based upon its finding that “the Chamber is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the Accused had knowledge at the time of publication of her Book and the Article that her disclosure was in violation of an order of the Tribunal”.[2] The Appeals Chamber is of the view the Trial Chamber, having made this finding, was under no obligation to also make a finding on whether Hartmann’s actions were “more than negligent”. In the present case, the only criterion that the Trial Chamber had to explicitly consider to establish contempt under Rule 77 of the Rules was whether Hartmann knowingly and wilfully interfered with the Tribunal’s administration of justice.

127. The Appeals Chamber recalls that it is settled jurisprudence that “the requisite mens rea for a violation of Rule 77(A)(ii) of the Rules is knowledge that the disclosure in question is in violation of an order of a Chamber. Such knowledge may be proven by evidence other than the accused’s statement expressing a particular intent”.[3] Insofar as Hartmann contends that the Nobilo Appeal Judgement set out a different standard,[4] she is mistaken; any ambiguity in its analysis of the mens rea required to enter a conviction for contempt has been definitively addressed by later Appeals Chamber judgements.[5]

128. The Trial Chamber set out the mens rea required to enter a conviction for contempt under Rule 77(A)(ii) of the Rules as follows:

The mens rea required [....] is the disclosure of particular information in knowing violation of a Chamber’s order. Generally, it is sufficient to establish that the conduct which constituted the violation was deliberate and not accidental. This may be inferred from circumstantial evidence. Where it is established that an accused had knowledge of the existence of a Court order, a finding of intent to violate the order will almost necessarily follow. Wilful blindness to the existence of the order, or reckless indifference to the consequences of the act by which the order is violated may satisfy the mental element. Mere negligence in failing to ascertain whether an order had been made is insufficient.[6]

The Appeals Chamber considers that the Trial Chamber’s analysis of the mens rea required to enter a conviction for contempt was consistent with Appeals Chamber precedent. It correctly found that this precedent does not require the Prosecution to prove specific intent to interfere with the administration of justice in order to secure a conviction under Rule 77(A)(ii) of the Rules.

[1] See Rule 77(A) of the Rules. See also Nshogoza Appeal Judgement, paras 56-57 (“No additional proof of harm to the Tribunal’s administration of justice is required. The Appeals Chamber is not convinced that the defiance of a Chamber’s order conveys any different connotation than a knowing and wilful violation of one. Considerations of the gravity of an accused’s conduct or his underlying motivations are rather to be assessed in connection with the decision to initiate proceedings or in sentencing. Bearing this in mind, the Appeals Chamber considers that the various statements by Trial Chambers, cited by Nshogoza, which take into account the minimal gravity surrounding a violation of a Chamber’s order should be understood, not as a finding that the conduct was not contempt, but as an exercise of the discretion of the Chamber not to initiate proceedings in such circumstances. The fact that other persons might also have engaged in similar conduct is not a defence.”) (internal citations omitted).

[2] Trial Judgement, para. 62.

[3] [ešelj Contempt Appeal Judgement [In the Case Against Vojislav [ešelj, Case No. IT-03-67-R77.2-A, Judgement, 19 May 2010], para. 26 (internal citations omitted). See also Jović Contempt Appeal Judgement [Prosecutor v. Josip Jović, Case No. IT-95-14 & 14/2-R77-A, Judgement, 15 March 2007], para. 27.

[4] See Hartmann Final Appeal Brief [Florence Hartmann’s Appellant Brief, 12 October 2009], para. 84. See also Nobilo Appeal Judgement [Prosecutor Zlatko Aleksovski, Case No. IT-95-14/1-AR77, Judgment on Appeal by Anto Nobilo Against Finding of Contempt, 30 May 2001], paras 40-41.

[5] See, e.g., [ešelj Contempt Appeal Judgement [In the Case Against Vojislav [ešelj, Case No. IT-03-67-R77.2-A, Judgement, 19 May 2010], para. 26; Jović Contempt Appeal Judgement [Prosecutor v. Josip Jović, Case No. IT-95-14 & 14/2-R77-A, Judgement, 15 March 2007], para. 27. See also Nobilo Appeal Judgement[Prosecutor Zlatko Aleksovski, Case No. IT-95-14/1-AR77, Judgment on Appeal by Anto Nobilo Against Finding of Contempt, 30 May 2001], paras 40, 41, 53, and 54. 

[6] Trial Judgement [In the Case Against Florence Hartmann, Case No. IT-02-54-R77.5, Judgement on Allegations of Contempt, 14 September 2009], para. 22 (internal citations omitted).

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ICTR Statute Article 19(4) ICTY Statute Article 20(4) ICTR Rule Rule 77 ICTY Rule Rule 77
Notion(s) Filing Case
Contempt Appeal Judgement - 19.07.2011 HARTMANN Florence
(IT-02-54-R77.5-A)

107. Hartmann is incorrect in her argument that “[w]hilst the Prosecutor need not prove an actual interference with the administration of justice, proof must be made that the impugned conduct created a real risk for the administration of justice”.[1] When a court order has been violated, the Trial Chamber does not need to assess whether any actual interference took place or whether a real risk to the administration of justice has taken place because such a violation per se interferes with the administration of justice. The Appeals Chamber in the Jović case held that “[t]he language of Rule 77 shows that a violation of a court order as such constitutes an interference with the International Tribunal’s administration of justice.”[2] Thus, “[n]o additional proof of harm to the International Tribunal’s administration of justice is required”.[3]

[1] Hartmann Final Appeal Brief, para. 73.

[2] Jović Contempt Appeal Judgement, para. 30, quoting Marijačić and Rebić Contempt Appeal Judgement, para. 44.

[3] Jović Contempt Appeal Judgement, para. 30; see also Nshogoza Appeal Judgement, para. 56; Šešelj Contempt Appeal Judgement, para. 20.

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Notion(s) Filing Case
Contempt Appeal Judgement - 19.07.2011 HARTMANN Florence
(IT-02-54-R77.5-A)

108. It also follows from the above that the issue of whether there was a real risk to the administration of justice was not a jurisdictional matter. The Appeals Chamber is therefore of the view that the Trial Chamber did not err by refusing to treat this issue as such during the trial.

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Decision on Additional Evidence - 06.07.2011 LUKIĆ & LUKIĆ
(IT-98-32/1-A)

NOTING that Exhibit 1D39 was “inadvertently” admitted into evidence at trial in Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian (“B/C/S”) only[1] and that the English translation of this exhibit does not currently form part of the trial record;

CONSIDERING that since the B/C/S version of Exhibit 1D39 is already part of the trial record, the English translation of the exhibit does not constitute “new” or “additional” evidence pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules;

NOTING that, if necessary for deciding the merits of Lukić’s appeal, the Appeals Chamber may at a later stage request, proprio motu, the Registry to provide a complete translation of Exhibit 1D39 into the working languages of the Tribunal;[2]

[1] Trial Judgement [Prosecutor v. Milan Lukić and Sredoje Lukić, Case No. IT-98-32/1-T, Judgement, 20 July 2009], para. 570.

[2] Cf. Prosecutor v. Pavle Strugar, Case No. IT-01-42-A, Order for Translation, 3 October 2007, p. 2, referring to Aloys Simba v. The Prosecutor, Case No. ICTR-01-76-A, Order for Translation, 3 July 2007, p. 2.

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ICTR Rule Rule 115 ICTY Rule Rule 115
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Decision on Scope of Partial Retrial - 31.05.2011 HARADINAJ et al.
(IT-04-84bis-AR73.1)

24. Haradinaj is mistaken in his contention that the Impugned Decision’s finding that the Prosecution may seek the admission of evidence beyond that of the two witnesses who were the focus of the Appeal Judgement undermines principles of law geared to “securing certainty and finality in criminal litigation”.[1] The Muvunyi Decision held that “a retrial […] inherently includes the possibility of hearing evidence that was not presented during the initial proceedings” and underscored that the scope of a retrial is determined “by the Appeals Chamber in a particular instance.”[2] Thus the Appeals Chamber is able to set out the appropriate parameters of a retrial, taking into account the specific context of each case, including whether the retrial follows conviction or acquittal, as well as relevant principles of law.

[1] Appeal [Appeal Brief on Behalf of Ramush Haradinaj on Scope of Partial Retrial, 10 February 2011], para. 2. See also ibid., paras 22, 24, 28-29, 51, 54. These legal principles include res judicata, non bis in idem, and issue estoppel (collateral estoppel).

[2] The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Muvunyi, Case No. ICTR-2000-55A-AR73, Decision on the Prosecutor’s Appeal Concerning the Scope of Evidence to be Adduced in the Retrial, 24 March 2009 (“Muvunyi Decision”), paras 12-13.

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Decision on Scope of Partial Retrial - 31.05.2011 HARADINAJ et al.
(IT-04-84bis-AR73.1)

25. The Appeals Chamber is unconvinced by Haradinaj’s contention that decisions regarding the admission of evidence made in the course of his first trial should be binding on the Trial Chamber conducting his retrial.[1] The different contexts in which the two trials are held mean that evidentiary decisions proper in one case may not be proper in the other. In this situation, the prospect of inconsistency on an evidentiary point between a trial and a retrial is not unfair and does not risk jeopardizing public confidence in the administration of justice by the Tribunal.

[1] See Appeal, paras 20, 22, 54.

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ICTR Rule Rule 118(C) ICTY Rule Rule 117(C)
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Decision on Scope of Partial Retrial - 31.05.2011 HARADINAJ et al.
(IT-04-84bis-AR73.1)

26. The Appeals Chamber underscores that whether a retrial follows acquittal or conviction is not necessarily insignificant. However the context of each retrial is unique, and the impact of a previous conviction or acquittal can only be addressed by taking into account this individual context. Any potential for undue prejudice to a defendant in a retrial following an acquittal should be addressed through both the Appeals Chamber’s careful delineation of a retrial’s parameters and the Trial Chamber’s continuing duty to apply fair trial principles.[1] In this context, the Appeals Chamber directs the Trial Chamber, when determining the admissibility of evidence in the retrial, to be particularly mindful of any potential prejudice that the admission of new evidence may cause to the fair trial rights of the Accused. Where the Prosecution seeks to introduce evidence that was excluded in prior proceedings, the Trial Chamber should explicitly consider whether re-litigation of this same issue in the retrial would be unduly prejudicial. If such is the case, the evidence must be excluded.

[1] See Muvunyi Decision, para. 18, which states: “[a]ll fair trial principles governing trial also apply to the retrial proceedings.”

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Decision on Scope of Partial Retrial - 31.05.2011 HARADINAJ et al.
(IT-04-84bis-AR73.1)

32. […] Since the Trial Chamber may not make findings with respect to Haradinaj’s responsibility beyond those in the six counts alleged, the Appeals Chamber finds […] that consideration of the broader JCE in the context of the partial retrial does not place him in potential double jeopardy or otherwise affect his fundamental rights and interests.

39. Since the Trial Chamber cannot make findings with respect to Haradinaj’s criminal responsibility beyond that alleged in the six counts which are the subject of the retrial, the Appeals Chamber considers […] that the inclusion of the […] general allegations in the “Statement of Facts” of the Operative Indictment does not expose Haradinaj to any additional charges or render the retrial unfair per se.[1]

40. It will be for the Trial Chamber, applying the normal rules of admissibility of evidence, to assess the relevance and probative value of evidence proffered by the Prosecution in relation to such general allegations, and to decide if consideration of such evidence would unduly prejudice Haradinaj in the context of retrial following acquittal.

Judge Robinson appended a partially dissenting opinion on the issue of double jeopardy.

[1] The Appeals Chamber notes that in the Muvunyi retrial, the Indictment from the original trial remained the operative indictment for the retrial without any amendment, despite the fact that at trial Muvunyi had been acquitted of one charge and another charge had been dismissed. See The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Muvunyi, Case No. ICTR-00-55A-I, Indictment, 23 December 2003; The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Muvunyi, Case No. ICTR-00-55A-T, Judgement and Sentence, signed on 12 September 2006 and filed on 18 September 2006, para. 531; The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Muvunyi, Case No. ICTR-00-55A-T, Judgement, 11 February 2010, para. 2, fn. 3. 

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Appeal Judgement - 01.04.2011 RENZAHO Tharcisse
(ICTR-97-31-A)

564. Although neither Party raised the issue, the Appeals Chamber notes that the Trial Chamber’s language in rendering its convictions against Renzaho may give the impression that it entered double convictions under Articles 6(1) and 6(3) of the Statute. The Appeals Chamber recalls that it is inappropriate to convict an accused for a specific count under both Article 6(1) and Article 6(3) of the Statute.[1] When, for the same count and the same set of facts, the accused’s responsibility is pleaded pursuant to both provisions and the accused could be found liable under both, the Trial Chamber should enter a conviction on the basis of Article 6(1) of the Statute alone and consider the superior position of the accused as an aggravating circumstance in sentencing.[2]

565. The Trial Chamber found Renzaho guilty of genocide under Article 6(1) of the Statute for aiding and abetting as well as ordering the killing of Tutsis at roadblocks throughout Kigali from April to July 1994; for aiding and abetting and ordering killings at CELA on 22 April 1994; and for his orders in relation to crimes committed at Sainte Famille on 17 June 1994.[3] The Trial Chamber also found Renzaho “liable” as a superior for these crimes,[4] indicating that it would take this liability into account in sentencing.[5]

566. The Trial Chamber also found Renzaho guilty of murder as a serious violation of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II under Article 6(1) of the Statute for ordering the killing of at least 17 Tutsi men at Sainte Famille church on 17 June 1994.[6] The Trial Chamber found Renzaho “liable” as a superior for these murders as well.[7] The Trial Chamber indicated that it would take Renzaho’s liability as a superior into account in sentencing.[8]

567. In addition, the Trial Chamber found Renzaho guilty of murder as a crime against humanity under Article 6(1) of the Statute for aiding and abetting and ordering the killing of Charles, Wilson, and Déglote Rwanga, who had been removed from CELA on 22 April 1994.[9] The Trial Chamber likewise found Renzaho “guilty” as a superior based on Article 6(3) of Statute, for the killing of Charles, Wilson, and Déglote Rwanga as well as the other mostly Tutsi men removed from CELA on that date.[10] The Trial Chamber indicated in connection with these crimes that it would take Renzaho’s liability as a superior into account in sentencing. [11]

568. While it is clear that the Trial Chamber considered Renzaho’s superior position as an aggravating circumstance,[12] the Appeals Chamber considers that the Trial Chamber should have refrained from using language which is suggestive of double convictions based on both Articles 6(1) and 6(3) of the Statute. Nevertheless, the Appeals Chamber is not convinced that the Trial Chamber impermissibly convicted Renzaho twice for the same facts where it found him to be “liable” as a superior. Likewise, and despite the unfortunate use of the term “guilty” when finding Renzaho liable as a superior for murder as a crime against humanity for the killings of Charles, Wilson, and Déglote Rwanga, the Appeals Chamber is not convinced that the Trial Chamber impermissibly convicted Renzaho twice for the same facts.[13]

[1] Nahimana et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 487.

[2] Nahimana et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 487, referring to Galić Appeal Judgement, para. 186, Blagojević and Jokić Appeal Judgement, paras. 23-28, Kajelijeli Appeal Judgement, para. 81, Kvočka et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 104, Kordić and Čerkez Appeal Judgement, paras. 34, 35, and Blaškić Appeal Judgement, para. 91.

[3] Trial Judgement, para. 779.

[4] Trial Judgement, para. 779.

[5] Trial Judgement, para. 779. See also Trial Judgement, para. 823.

[6] Trial Judgement, para. 807.

[7] Trial Judgement, para. 807.

[8] Trial Judgement, para. 807. See also Trial Judgement, para. 823.

[9] Trial Judgement, para. 789.

[10] Trial Judgement, para. 789.

[11] Trial Judgement, para. 789. See also Trial Judgement, para. 823.

[12] Trial Judgement, para. 823.

[13] The Appeals Chamber notes that the Trial Chamber convicted Renzaho solely under Article 6(3) of the Statute for murder as a crime against humanity for the killing of a group of mostly Tutsi men also removed from CELA on 22 April 1994. See Trial Judgement, para. 789.

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530. Turning first to Renzaho’s arguments concerning Witness AWO raised under his Eleventh Ground of Appeal, the Appeals Chamber notes that, in relation to her rapes in Rugenge sector, the Trial Chamber was satisfied with Witness AWO’s identification of Renzaho and found her physical description of him to be adequate and consistent.[1] As to factors impacting negatively on the reliability of her identification evidence, the Appeals Chamber recalls that not all factors need to be explicitly addressed, only any significant ones.[2] The fact that Witness AWO had seen Renzaho only once before April 1994 does not, per se, diminish the reliability of her sighting, and the fact that she did not personally know him prior to the events is not sufficient to undermine the reliability of her identification evidence as to the rapes, or moreover with respect to Sainte Famille.[3]

531. Regarding whether the Trial Chamber should have exercised “extreme caution” in assessing Witness AWO’s identification evidence in relation to the attack at Sainte Famille, the Appeals Chamber recalls that such a high level of caution is required only when a witness’s identification was made under difficult circumstances.[4] In this case, the Appeals Chamber finds that the identification evidence did not necessarily call for an “extreme” level of caution.[5] While the events suffered by Witness AWO were unquestionably traumatic, her identification of Renzaho at Sainte Famille did not occur in circumstances that made him difficult to identify, such as in the dark or as a result of a fleeting glance.[6]

  (i) Reasoned opinion

527. The Appeals Chamber notes that the Trial Chamber failed to provide any reasons for accepting the Prosecution witnesses’ identifications of Renzaho at Sainte Famille on 17 June 1994. The Appeals Chamber recalls the general principle that a Trial Chamber need not articulate every step of its reasoning.[7] However, as established in the Kupreškić et al. case, “where a finding of guilt is made on the basis of identification evidence given by a witness under difficult circumstances, the Trial Chamber must rigorously implement its duty to provide a ‘reasoned opinion’.”[8]

529. The Appeals Chamber considers that the circumstances in which these witnesses identified Renzaho were traumatic. In addition, Witness AWO’s evidence was determinative to the Trial Chamber’s finding that Renzaho ordered the attack at Sainte Famille (rather than simply being present).[9] The Trial Chamber therefore should have provided some reasons for accepting their identifications of Renzaho in relation to the attack at Sainte Famille. The Appeals Chamber finds that the Trial Chamber erred in failing to do so. However, the Appeals Chamber finds that this error does not invalidate the Trial Judgement.

[1] See Trial Judgement, para. 716, referring to Witness AWO, T. 7 February 2007 p. 9 (“It was a man who was bald. He had big eyes […] and I believe he must be quite old today.”).

[2] Kupreškić et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 39.

[3] Cf. Kayishema and Ruzindana Appeal Judgement, paras. 327, 328.

[4] Kupreškić et al. Appeal Judgement, paras. 34, 39. See also Kalimanzira Appeal Judgement, para. 96.

[5] In Kupreškić et al., the ICTY Appeals Chamber found that Witness H’s identification of the Defendants was carried out under “very difficult circumstances” because, inter alia, the attackers descended upon her and her family while they were sleeping; her father was killed as the family hid in the basement; and the attackers had masked their faces with paint in an attempt to camouflage themselves. Kupreškić et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 133. Despite these and many other “stressful conditions”, the Appeals Chamber was nevertheless “not persuaded by the Defendant’s arguments that the difficult circumstances in which Witness H found herself that morning completely eliminated any possibility of her recognising the attackers and that no reasonable Trial Chamber could have accepted that she did”. Kupreškić et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 135.

[6] Cf. Kupreškić et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 40.

[7] See Karera Appeal Judgement, para. 19.

[8] Kupreškić et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 39.

[9] See Trial Judgement, para. 716. 

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120. To support its contention that “post-indictment communications” provided Renzaho with clear, consistent, and timely notice, the Prosecution relies on its Pre-Trial Brief and two written statements disclosed in February 2005.[1] However, these documents were filed before the Second Amended Indictment came into force on 16 February 2006.[2]

121. Renzaho contends that the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief cannot cure a defect in the Indictment, relying on the Karera Appeal Judgement.[3] The Appeals Chamber recalls that in the Karera case, the pre-trial brief, which was filed seven days before the amended indictment, was found to be incapable of curing a particular defect therein relating to a murder charge because, among other things, it was unclear which version of the indictment the pre-trial brief was referring to,[4] creating further confusion.[5]

122. In the present case, the Appeals Chamber notes that the proposed Second Amended Indictment was attached to the Motion to Amend filed on 19 October 2005.[6] On 31 October 2005, the Prosecution filed its Pre-Trial Brief, specifying that “references to the ‘Indictment’ herein are to the proposed Second Amended Indictment”.[7] Further, the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief and the attached summaries of anticipated witness testimony were clear about which paragraphs of the proposed Second Amended Indictment they referred to.[8] Once the Trial Chamber accepted the Second Amended Indictment on 16 February 2006, nearly one year before the commencement of Renzaho’s trial,[9] its link to the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief was consolidated. Since there were no subsequent amendments to the Indictment or the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief, the Appeals Chamber considers that the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief in this case is capable of curing defects in the Indictment.

123. Turning to whether the Prosecution’s communications in fact cured the defect in the Indictment [in relation to the material facts which must be pleaded in an indictment charging superior responsibility pursuant to Article 6(3) of the Statute], the Appeals Chamber notes that the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief emphasized that the receipt of reports of rapes from Renzaho’s subordinates constituted his reason to know about the rapes.[10] Although the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief also noted Renzaho’s encouragement of rapes, it did so in respect of only two of the relevant Counts.[11] The Appeals Chamber further considers that this new element of the Prosecution’s case was not highlighted in a manner sufficient to give clear notice to Renzaho that his encouragement now formed the basis for his criminal liability as a superior.[12] The Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief notably failed to clarify that the Prosecution was relying on Renzaho’s acts of encouragement to infer his mens rea. Absent any indication that Renzaho’s encouragement was the basis for his reason to know about particular rapes, it is difficult to conclude that the Defence would have understood that this material fact was the key element of the Prosecution’s case.

124. Moreover, the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief did not provide consistent notice that Renzaho’s encouragement of rapes constituted his reason to know, as conceded by the Prosecution on appeal.[13] While the summaries of Witnesses AWO’s and AWN’s anticipated testimony annexed to the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief describe the circumstances of their rapes and those of Witness AWN’s sister in detail, Witness AWN’s summary attributed Renzaho’s statement encouraging rapes to another individual.[14] It was only during her testimony that Witness AWN clarified that it was Renzaho who made the statement.[15] The Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief and the summary of Witness AWN’s anticipated testimony therefore did not provide the “unambiguous information” required to cure a defect in the Indictment.[16] While the summary of Witness AWO’s anticipated evidence did allege that Renzaho stated that Tutsi women were food for the soldiers,[17] given the ambiguity contained in the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief concerning the import of Renzaho’s encouragement, the Appeals Chamber finds this one witness statement insufficient to cure the defect in the Indictment.[18]

[1] Respondent’s Brief, paras. 42, 43, referring to The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Renzaho, Case No. ICTR-97-31-I, Interoffice Memorandum, Subject: “Transmission of the unredacted statements for witnesses AWM-1, AWN-1 and AWO-1 as additional support of Amended Indictment in the Renzaho Case”, 3 February 2005 (confidential) (“3 February 2005 Disclosure”).

[2] “Second Amended Indictment”, interchangeable with “Indictment”.

[3] Appellant’s Brief, para. 564.

[4] Karera Appeal Judgement, para. 368, fn. 838.

[5] Karera Appeal Judgement, paras. 367-369.

[6] The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Renzaho, Case No. ICTR-97-31-I, The Prosecutor’s Application for Leave to Amend the Indictment pursuant to Rule 50(A) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, 19 October 2005 (“Motion to Amend”).

[7] Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief, p. ii (“Preliminary Note”). See also Preliminary Note where the Prosecution indicated that “[g]iven that no decision has yet been made as to whether leave to amend will be granted, but also in view of the fact that no trial date has yet been set, the Prosecutor reserves the right to file an Amended Pre-Trial Brief and/or to amend the list of witnesses and/or the list of exhibits filed herein.”

[8] As indicated in the Preliminary Note, “‘Indictment’ paragraph numbers quoted refer [to the proposed Second Amended Indictment], but are followed, where applicable, by the paragraph number in the existing Amended Indictment in square brackets to assist both the Accused and the Trial Chamber.”

[9] The trial in this case started on 8 January 2007. Trial Judgement, Annex A: Procedural History, para. 837.

[10] See Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief, paras. 114 (“It is the Prosecution’s case that by virtue of the reports made to him by his Bourgmestres and Conseillers, the Accused knew or had reason to know that these acts of sexual violence were occurring.”)(emphasis added), 141 (“The Prosecution asserts that the Accused knew or had reason to know that these acts were being carried out not only because these houses were notorious, but also because their existence was reported to him by his Conseillers.”), 160 (“The Prosecution asserts that the Accused knew or had reason to know that women were being maintained in houses in Kigali-ville for the purpose of being raped and otherwise sexually abused because these houses were notorious, and also because their existence was reported to him by his Conseillers.”).

[11] In relation to the charge of rape as a crime against humanity, the Prosecution stated “[t]he Accused actively encouraged the rape of Tutsi women, stating that they were ‘food for the soldiers’ or words to that effect.” Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief, para. 139. In relation to the charge of rape as a violation of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions, the Prosecution stated “[t]he Accused actively encouraged the rape of Tutsi women, stating that they were ‘food for the soldiers’ or words to that effect.” Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief, para. 159.

[12] The Appeals Chamber also notes that, at the Appeal Hearing, the Prosecution took the position that the Indictment did plead Renzaho’s reason to know about the rapes, namely, that Renzaho’s subordinates regularly informed him of the rapes of Tutsi women. See AT. 16 June 2010 pp. 31, 33.

[13] See AT. 16 June 2010 pp. 34, 35.

[14] Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief, pp. 63, 64 (“Munanira said words to the effect that ‘this is the time to show the Tutsi women that we can make them marry Hutu men against their will.’”).

[15] Witness AWN, T. 5 February 2007 p. 37 […].

[16] Cf. Kalimanzira Appeal Judgement, para. 140.

[17] Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief, pp. 64, 65.

[18] Ntakirutimana Appeal Judgement, para. 27 (“As has been previously noted, ‘mere service of witness statements by the [P]rosecution pursuant to the disclosure requirements’ of the Rules does not suffice to inform the Defence of material facts that the Prosecution intends to prove at trial.”). See also Muhimana Appeal Judgement, para. 224.

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19. The Appeals Chamber recalls that charges against an accused and the material facts supporting those charges must be pleaded with sufficient precision in an indictment so as to provide notice to the accused. In reaching its judgement, a Trial Chamber can only convict the accused of crimes that are charged in the indictment.[2] The Appeals Chamber has already confirmed in its previous judgement in this case, as well as in an interlocutory appeal decision during the course of the retrial, that the Indictment was not defective.[3] The question, however, remains whether Muvunyi was convicted of the specific crime which was charged in the Indictment.

29. The final question therefore is whether Muvunyi lacked notice of the meeting for which he was convicted given the variance between the Indictment date range of early May 1994 and the finding that the meeting occurred in mid to late May 1994. The Appeals Chamber is not convinced that the difference between the language of the Indictment and the evidence is material since the variance is not significant,[4] and, as the Trial Chamber noted, there was only one meeting at the Gikore Trade Center in May 1994. Furthermore, Muvunyi in fact defended against the allegation that he incited the local population during a meeting at the Gikore Trade Center in mid to late May 1994 in both his first trial and the retrial, which shows that he had notice of the charge in the Indictment with respect to the May 1994 meeting.[5]

[1] Muvunyi I Appeal Judgement [Tharcisse Muvunyi v. The Prosecutor, Case No. ICTR-00-55A-A, Judgement, 29 August 2008], para. 18; Seromba Appeal Judgement, paras. 27, 100; Simba Appeal Judgement, para. 63; Muhimana Appeal Judgement, paras. 76, 167, 195; Gacumbitsi Appeal Judgement, para. 49; Ndindabahizi Appeal Judgement, para. 16.

[2] Muvunyi I Appeal Judgement, para. 18; Nahimana et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 326; Ntagerura et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 28; Kvočka et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 33.

[3] Muvunyi I Appeal Judgement, para. 140; The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Muvunyi, Case No. ICTR-2000-55A-AR98bis, Decision on Appeal of Decision Denying the Motion for Judgement of Acquittal, 11 November 2009, para. 13.

[4] See, e.g., Rutaganda Appeal Judgement, para. 302; Kunarac et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 217.

[5] Trial Judgement, para. 47 (“Moreover, each of the Defence’s factual witnesses testified that Muvunyi attended a meeting in Gikore in mid to late May 1994 where he spoke to an audience.”). See also Muvunyi I Trial Judgement [The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Muvunyi, Case No. ICTR-2000-55A-T, Judgement and Sentence, rendered orally on 12 September 2006, written judgement filed in English on 18 September 2006], paras. 202-205.

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In footnote 7, the Appeal Chamber held that

[…] In paragraphs 11 and 12 of his Notice of Appeal, Muvunyi alleges that his sentence was not in accordance with established practice and further requests the Appeals Chamber to reduce his sentence in light of any findings which are set aside as not supported by facts or law. Muvunyi does not develop this argument in his Appeal Brief. Instead, he addresses this point in his Respondent’s brief. There, Muvunyi submits that his crime is less egregious than several cases in which the Tribunal has imposed a sentence at or below 15 years of imprisonment and that a sentence of time served adequately serves the ends of justice. See Muvunyi Response Brief, paras. 13-40. Generally, arguments made in support of the Notice of Appeal should be developed in the Appeal Brief. That said, this does not prevent the Appeals Chamber from considering arguments of substantial importance to the appeal developed elsewhere if their exclusion would lead to a miscarriage of justice. See, e.g., Ferdinand Nahimana et al. v. The Prosecutor, Case No. ICTR-99-52-A, Decision on the Prosecutor’s Motion to Pursue the Oral Request for the Appeals Chamber to Disregard Certain Arguments Made by Counsel for Appellant Barayagwiza at the Appeals Hearing on 17 January 2007, 5 March 2007, para. 15. In this case, however, Muvunyi’s submissions do not demonstrate any error in his sentence for the same reasons given in relation to the Prosecution’s challenge to the Trial Chamber’s comparative sentencing approach. See infra para. 72.

[1] Muvunyi I Appeal Judgement [Tharcisse Muvunyi v. The Prosecutor, Case No. ICTR-00-55A-A, Judgement, 29 August 2008], para. 18; Seromba Appeal Judgement, paras. 27, 100; Simba Appeal Judgement, para. 63; Muhimana Appeal Judgement, paras. 76, 167, 195; Gacumbitsi Appeal Judgement, para. 49; Ndindabahizi Appeal Judgement, para. 16.

[2] Muvunyi I Appeal Judgement, para. 18; Nahimana et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 326; Ntagerura et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 28; Kvočka et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 33.

[3] Muvunyi I Appeal Judgement, para. 140; The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Muvunyi, Case No. ICTR-2000-55A-AR98bis, Decision on Appeal of Decision Denying the Motion for Judgement of Acquittal, 11 November 2009, para. 13.

[4] See, e.g., Rutaganda Appeal Judgement, para. 302; Kunarac et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 217.

[5] Trial Judgement, para. 47 (“Moreover, each of the Defence’s factual witnesses testified that Muvunyi attended a meeting in Gikore in mid to late May 1994 where he spoke to an audience.”). See also Muvunyi I Trial Judgement [The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Muvunyi, Case No. ICTR-2000-55A-T, Judgement and Sentence, rendered orally on 12 September 2006, written judgement filed in English on 18 September 2006], paras. 202-205.

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26. The Trial Chamber also noted the demeanour of the witnesses when confronted with the suggestion that Nteziryayo was not in fact the prefect in May 1994, which, in the Trial Chamber’s view, indicated that “they were confronted with an incorrect recollection rather than a lie.”[1] The assessment of the demeanour of witnesses in considering their credibility is one of the fundamental functions of a Trial Chamber to which the Appeals Chamber must accord considerable deference.[2] The Appeals Chamber has previously noted that it “is loathe to disturb such credibility assessments on review”.[3] The Appeals Chamber further recalls that it is not unreasonable for a trier of fact to accept some, but reject other parts of a witness’s testimony.[4] The Appeals Chamber, Judges Liu and Meron dissenting, is not convinced that it was unreasonable for the Trial Chamber, in the circumstances noted above, to have rejected the portion of the witnesses’ accounts relating to Nteziryayo’s position during the meeting as prefect. Consequently, Muvunyi has not shown that the Trial Chamber’s findings are wholly erroneous or that no reasonable trier of fact could have concluded that the meeting described by the Prosecution witnesses occurred in May 1994.[5]

[1] Trial Judgement, para. 57.

[2] See Nchamihigo Appeal Judgement, para. 47; Bikindi Appeal Judgement, para. 114; Simba Appeal Judgement, para. 9; Nahimana et al. Appeal Judgement, paras. 14, 194; Ndindabahizi Appeal Judgement, para. 34; Ntagerura et al. Appeal Judgement, paras. 12, 213; Semanza Appeal Judgement, para. 8; Ntakirutimana Appeal Judgement, paras. 12, 204, 244; Kamuhanda Appeal Judgement, para. 138; Kayishema and Ruzindana Appeal Judgement, para. 222. See also Edouard Karemera et al. v. The Prosecutor, Case No. ICTR-98-44-AR15bis.2, Reasons for Decision on Interlocutory Appeals Regarding the Continuation of Proceedings with a Substitute Judge and on Nzirorera’s Motion for Leave to Consider New Material, 22 October 2004, para. 60.

[3] Ntakirutimana Appeal Judgement, para. 244.

[4] Muvunyi I Appeal Judgement, para. 128.

[5] The Appeals Chamber finds no merit to Muvunyi’s contention that the allegation in the Indictment refers to a meeting involving Aloys Simba. The Indictment does not identify Simba as the Chairman of Civil Defence in Butare Prefecture. See Indictment, para. 3.24.

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26. The Trial Chamber also noted the demeanour of the witnesses when confronted with the suggestion that Nteziryayo was not in fact the prefect in May 1994, which, in the Trial Chamber’s view, indicated that “they were confronted with an incorrect recollection rather than a lie.”[1] The assessment of the demeanour of witnesses in considering their credibility is one of the fundamental functions of a Trial Chamber to which the Appeals Chamber must accord considerable deference.[2] The Appeals Chamber has previously noted that it “is loathe to disturb such credibility assessments on review”.[3] The Appeals Chamber further recalls that it is not unreasonable for a trier of fact to accept some, but reject other parts of a witness’s testimony.[4] The Appeals Chamber, Judges Liu and Meron dissenting, is not convinced that it was unreasonable for the Trial Chamber, in the circumstances noted above, to have rejected the portion of the witnesses’ accounts relating to Nteziryayo’s position during the meeting as prefect. Consequently, Muvunyi has not shown that the Trial Chamber’s findings are wholly erroneous or that no reasonable trier of fact could have concluded that the meeting described by the Prosecution witnesses occurred in May 1994.[5]

[1] Trial Judgement, para. 57.

[2] See Nchamihigo Appeal Judgement, para. 47; Bikindi Appeal Judgement, para. 114; Simba Appeal Judgement, para. 9; Nahimana et al. Appeal Judgement, paras. 14, 194; Ndindabahizi Appeal Judgement, para. 34; Ntagerura et al. Appeal Judgement, paras. 12, 213; Semanza Appeal Judgement, para. 8; Ntakirutimana Appeal Judgement, paras. 12, 204, 244; Kamuhanda Appeal Judgement, para. 138; Kayishema and Ruzindana Appeal Judgement, para. 222. See also Edouard Karemera et al. v. The Prosecutor, Case No. ICTR-98-44-AR15bis.2, Reasons for Decision on Interlocutory Appeals Regarding the Continuation of Proceedings with a Substitute Judge and on Nzirorera’s Motion for Leave to Consider New Material, 22 October 2004, para. 60.

[3] Ntakirutimana Appeal Judgement, para. 244.

[4] Muvunyi I Appeal Judgement, para. 128.

[5] The Appeals Chamber finds no merit to Muvunyi’s contention that the allegation in the Indictment refers to a meeting involving Aloys Simba. The Indictment does not identify Simba as the Chairman of Civil Defence in Butare Prefecture. See Indictment, para. 3.24.

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26. The Trial Chamber also noted the demeanour of the witnesses when confronted with the suggestion that Nteziryayo was not in fact the prefect in May 1994, which, in the Trial Chamber’s view, indicated that “they were confronted with an incorrect recollection rather than a lie.”[1] The assessment of the demeanour of witnesses in considering their credibility is one of the fundamental functions of a Trial Chamber to which the Appeals Chamber must accord considerable deference.[2] The Appeals Chamber has previously noted that it “is loathe to disturb such credibility assessments on review”.[3] The Appeals Chamber further recalls that it is not unreasonable for a trier of fact to accept some, but reject other parts of a witness’s testimony.[4] The Appeals Chamber, Judges Liu and Meron dissenting, is not convinced that it was unreasonable for the Trial Chamber, in the circumstances noted above, to have rejected the portion of the witnesses’ accounts relating to Nteziryayo’s position during the meeting as prefect. Consequently, Muvunyi has not shown that the Trial Chamber’s findings are wholly erroneous or that no reasonable trier of fact could have concluded that the meeting described by the Prosecution witnesses occurred in May 1994.[5]

[1] Trial Judgement, para. 57.

[2] See Nchamihigo Appeal Judgement, para. 47; Bikindi Appeal Judgement, para. 114; Simba Appeal Judgement, para. 9; Nahimana et al. Appeal Judgement, paras. 14, 194; Ndindabahizi Appeal Judgement, para. 34; Ntagerura et al. Appeal Judgement, paras. 12, 213; Semanza Appeal Judgement, para. 8; Ntakirutimana Appeal Judgement, paras. 12, 204, 244; Kamuhanda Appeal Judgement, para. 138; Kayishema and Ruzindana Appeal Judgement, para. 222. See also Edouard Karemera et al. v. The Prosecutor, Case No. ICTR-98-44-AR15bis.2, Reasons for Decision on Interlocutory Appeals Regarding the Continuation of Proceedings with a Substitute Judge and on Nzirorera’s Motion for Leave to Consider New Material, 22 October 2004, para. 60.

[3] Ntakirutimana Appeal Judgement, para. 244.

[4] Muvunyi I Appeal Judgement, para. 128.

[5] The Appeals Chamber finds no merit to Muvunyi’s contention that the allegation in the Indictment refers to a meeting involving Aloys Simba. The Indictment does not identify Simba as the Chairman of Civil Defence in Butare Prefecture. See Indictment, para. 3.24.

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125. […] The Appeals Chamber recalls that a defect in the Indictment, not cured by timely, clear, and consistent notice, constitutes a prejudice to the accused.[1] The defect may only be deemed harmless through a demonstration that the accused’s ability to prepare his or her defence was not materially impaired.[2] When an appellant raises a defect in the indictment for the first time on appeal, the appellant bears the burden of showing that his or her ability to prepare his or her defence was materially impaired.[3] When, however, an accused has previously raised the issue of lack of notice before the Trial Chamber, the burden rests on the Prosecution to prove on appeal that the ability of the accused to prepare his or her defence was not materially impaired. The Appeals Chamber therefore turns to consider this issue.

126. In the pre-trial stage, Renzaho challenged the Indictment on the basis of vagueness, a challenge that was dismissed by the Trial Chamber.[4] Although Renzaho did not object to Witnesses AWO’s and AWN’s evidence that he encouraged rapes upon the filing of the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief or at the time of their testimony, the Appeals Chamber considers that Renzaho’s confusion regarding the import of this evidence, discussed below, reasonably explains his failure to object. Further, in his Closing Brief, Renzaho renewed his challenge to the Indictment on the basis that it failed to plead the material facts necessary to establish his superior responsibility.[5] Renzaho also contended that the charges alleging his responsibility for sexual violence were impermissibly vague, and noted that the evidence that he made encouraging statements about rapes was not included in the Indictment.[6] The Appeals Chamber therefore finds that Renzaho raised an adequate objection to the failure to properly plead his reason to know.[7] Consequently, the Prosecution has the burden of establishing that Renzaho’s defence was not materially impaired by the defect in the Indictment.[8]

127. The Appeals Chamber finds that the Prosecution has not met its burden. It notes that, when Witness AWN testified that it was Renzaho who encouraged rapes, rather than another individual, the Defence did not object to the introduction of the new material fact. At the Appeal Hearing, the Defence indicated that it failed to do so because it “did not make the link at that time”[9] and suffered prejudice from the introduction of this new material fact because it did not understand that this evidence was relevant to the charge under Article 6(3) of the Statute.[10] The strategy adopted at trial by the Defence and in particular the cross-examination of Witnesses AWO and AWN convinces the Appeals Chamber that Renzaho understood that he was to defend himself against knowledge of rapes through receipt of reports as pleaded in the Indictment.[11] He was therefore prejudiced by the Prosecution’s failure to cure the defect in the Indictment through adequate notice.

128. The Appeals Chamber also notes with concern that the relevant paragraphs of the Indictment are extremely broad, and fail to specify the dates and locations of the meetings at which Renzaho encouraged the rapes; the dates and locations of the rapes; and the names of the victims. The provision of these material facts only in post-indictment documents impacts upon the ability of the accused to know the case he or she has to meet and to prepare his or her defence,[12] and is particularly troubling when the Prosecution was in a position to include them in the Indictment.[13]

[1] Ntagerura et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 30.

[2] Ntagerura et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 30.

[3] Nahimana et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 327.

[4] See Preliminary Motion, paras. 38, 58-123, 158, 167, 173; Decision on Preliminary Motion [The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Renzaho, Case No. ICTR-97-31-I, Décision sur la requête en exception préjudicielle pour vices de forme de l’acte d’accusation, 5 September 2006]. Renzaho requested certification to appeal the Decision on Preliminary Motion, which was dismissed by the Trial Chamber. See Decision on Certification of Decision on Preliminary Motion [The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Renzaho, Case No. ICTR-97-31-I, Décision relative à la demande aux fins de certification d’appel de la décision du 5 septembre 2006 en vertu de l’article 72(B), 25 October 2006].

[5] Defence Closing Brief, paras. 86-144.

[6] Defence Closing Brief, paras. 179, 188, 194, 934, 936, 1136.

[7] Cf. Muhimana Appeal Judgement, para. 219; Gacumbitsi Appeal Judgement, para. 54.

[8] See supra, Chapter IV (Alleged Lack of Notice), Section A (Applicable Law), para. 56; Niyitegeka Appeal Judgement, para. 200.

[9] AT. 16 June 2010 p. 57 (“I think we […] became aware of that [inconsistency] during the testimony of the witness. At that stage as well things proceeded very fast during testimony in-chief. We did not link this to what was said in the pre-trial brief and which was attributed to Mr. Munanira. We did not make the link at that time.”).

[10] AT. 16 June 2010 p. 58 (“When the witness appeared before the Court, indeed, we immediately had the feeling that those utterances were incriminating. […] But what we did not understand – and this is where we suffered prejudice – is that on the basis of this statement, the Prosecutor wanted to attribute responsibility to Mr. Renzaho on the basis of [Article] 6(3). […] And, indeed, the Chamber pointed out that this fact failed [sic] under 6(1) and not 6(3). […] We did not understand that that was the objective pursued. We cross-examined the witness with the limited information we had only as regards the materiality of the events.”).

[11] The Appeals Chamber recalls that this basis for Renzaho’s knowledge of rapes committed by subordinates was pleaded in paragraphs 41, 53, and 63 of the Indictment.

[12] Cf. Bagosora et al. Interlocutory Appeal on Questions of Law Decision [The Prosecutor v. Théoneste Bagosora et al., Case No. ICTR-98-41-AR73, Decision on Aloys Ntabakuze’s Interlocutory Appeal on Questions of Law Raised by the 29 June 2006 Trial Chamber I Decision on Motion for Exclusion of Evidence, 18 September 2006], para. 26; The Prosecution v. Tharcisse Muvunyi, Case No. ICTR-00-55A-AR73, Decision on Prosecution Interlocutory Appeal Against Trial Chamber II Decision of 23 February 2005, 12 May 2005, para. 22; Ntagerura et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 114.

[13] The Appeals Chamber notes that the many of these details were included in the Prosecution Pre-Trial Brief, filed just 12 days after the Indictment. Although, at the time, the Prosecution assured the Trial Chamber that it had included as much detail as it was able in the Indictment, it concedes on appeal that it was in fact possible to include this information in the Indictment. See The Prosecutor v. Tharcisse Renzaho, Case No. ICTR-97-31-I, The Prosecutor’s Response to the Accused’s ‘Requ[ê]te en exception pr[é]judicielle pour vices de forme de l’acte d’accusation’, 10 April 2006 (confidential), para. 12; AT. 16 June 2010 p. 31 (“Your Honours, it was actually possible for us to include in the indictment the specific evidence that the two witnesses would testify to [and] […] in view of the fact that we already had this information before we gave our second amended indictment, it would have been desirable to actually include these statements in the indictment. However, […] the Appellant was not prejudiced by the lack […] of these statements in the indictment.”).

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Notion(s) Filing Case
Appeal Judgement - 01.04.2011 RENZAHO Tharcisse
(ICTR-97-31-A)

119. However, in relation to the third category [of material facts which must be pleaded in an indictment charging superior responsibility pursuant to Article 6(3) of the Statute], the Appeals Chamber recalls that Renzaho was found by the Trial Chamber to have reason to know of the rapes due to his vocal encouragement of them.[1] The conduct by which Renzaho was found to have reason to know that the rapes were about to be committed was therefore not pleaded in the Indictment. The failure to include this material fact in the Indictment renders it defective. The Appeals Chamber will therefore consider whether this defect was cured by the provision of clear, consistent, and timely information by the Prosecution.

[1] See Trial Judgement, paras. 709, 717, 718, 774, 775.

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