| Text search | Notions | Case | Filing | Date range | Tribunal |
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Showing 2505 results (20 per page)
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| Decision on Review - 19.06.2017 |
NGIRABATWARE Augustin (MICT-12-29-R) |
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Page 3: CONSIDERING that, pursuant to Rule 147 of the Rules, a hearing to consider evidence on the new fact (“Review Hearing”) will be held; CONSIDERING that the Review Hearing will allow the parties to provide supporting and rebuttal evidence concerning the new fact and that, before setting the date and structure of the Review Hearing, it is appropriate to allow adequate time for preparation and to consider the scope of the evidence, if any, the parties wish to present;[1] [1] Šljivančanin Review Decision [Prosecutor v. Veselin Šljivančanin, Case No. IT-95-13/1-R.1, Decision with Respect to Veselin Šljivančanin’s Application for Review, 14 July 2010], p. 4. Cf. [MICT] Rules 55 and 131 of the Rules. |
IRMCT Rule Rule 147 | |
| Notion(s) | Filing | Case |
| Decision on Review - 19.06.2017 |
NGIRABATWARE Augustin (MICT-12-29-R) |
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Page 2: FINDING, therefore, that a review of the Appeal Judgement is warranted; NOTING that, in these circumstances, Ngirabatware is entitled to assigned counsel at the expense of the Mechanism for the purpose of assisting him in relation to the review proceedings;[1] [1] See Ngirabatware Decision of 5 May 2016 [Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware, Case No. MICT-12-29-R, Decision on Prosecution’s Motion Regarding Protected Witnesses and Ngirabatware’s Motion for Assignment of Counsel, 5 May 2016 (confidential)], para. 20; Eliézer Niyitegeka v. The Prosecutor, Case No. MICT-12-16-R, Decision on Niyitegeka’s Request for Review and Assignment of Counsel, 13 July 2015, para. 8; Aloys Ntabakuze v. The Prosecutor, Case No. MICT-14-77-R, Decision on Ntabakuze’s Pro Se Motion for Assignment of an Investigator and Counsel in Anticipation of his Request for Review, 19 January 2015, para. 9. |
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| Decision on Pseudonyms of Witnesses - 22.05.2017 |
KARADŽIĆ Radovan (MICT-13-55-A) |
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Pages 3-4: RECALLING that, pursuant to Rule 71(B) of the Rules, the Prosecution shall, on request, permit the Defence to inspect any books, documents, photographs, and tangible objects in its custody or control, which are material to the preparation of the defence; CONSIDERING, that the pseudonyms that Karadžić wishes to inspect are not books, documents, photographs, or tangible objects in the Prosecution’s custody or control, but rather information contained in confidential and ex parte filings; FINDING, therefore, that Rule 71(B) of the Rules is not applicable; […] CONSIDERING that disclosing pseudonyms of protected witnesses in this case who were the subject of Rule 86 proceedings may reveal details about non-public investigations in other jurisdictions[1] which were communicated to the Mechanism on a confidential and ex parte basis; [1] See Response [Prosecutor v. Radovan Karadžić, Case No. MICT-13-55-A, Prosecution’s Response to Karadžić Motion to Compel Inspection of Pseudonyms of Witnesses Subject to Ex Parte Rule 86 Proceedings, 25 April 2017], para. 8. |
IRMCT Rule
Rule 71(B); Rule 86 |
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| Decision on Contempt Proceedings - 26.04.2017 |
NGIRABATWARE Augustin (MICT-12-29-R) |
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Pages 2-3: CONSIDERING that, pursuant to Rule 90 of the Rules, the Mechanism in the exercise of its inherent power may hold in contempt those who knowingly and wilfully interfere with the administration of justice; CONSIDERING, however, that in matters pertaining to State obligations, it is well-established that State officials “are mere instruments of a State and their official action can only be attributed to the State”,[1] that, subject to certain limited exceptions,[2] “[t]hey cannot be the subject of sanctions or penalties for conduct that is not private but undertaken on behalf of a State”, and “cannot suffer the consequences of wrongful acts which are not attributable to them personally but to the State on whose behalf they act”;[3] CONSIDERING that “[i]t is the State which is bound by [the obligation to cooperate with the Mechanism under Article 28 of the Statute] and it is the State for which the official or agent fulfils his function that constitutes the legitimate interlocutor of the [Mechanism] and “shall therefore incur international responsibility for any serious breach of that provision by their officials”;[4] CONSIDERING that the Mechanism “is endowed with the inherent power to make a judicial finding concerning a State’s failure to observe the provisions of the Statute or the Rules” and “also has a power to report this judicial finding to the [United Nations] Security Council”;[5] CONSIDERING, however, that the Mechanism “is not vested with any enforcement or sanctionary power vis-à-vis States” and that “[i]t is primarily for its parent body, the [United Nations] Security Council, to impose sanctions, if any, against a recalcitrant State”; [6] […] CONSIDERING that the Mechanism has, therefore, taken appropriate measures provided for in the Statute and the Rules to address Republic of Turkey’s non-compliance with the Order of 31 January 2017 and that the procedure envisaged under Rule 90 of the Rules is not applicable in this case; [1] Prosecutor v. Tihomir Blaškić, Case No. IT-95-14-AR108 bis, Judgement on the Request of the Republic of Croatia for Review of the Decision of the Trial Chamber II of 18 July 1997, 29 October 1997 (“Blaškić Appeal Decision”), para. 38. See also Prosecutor v. Radislav Krstić, Case No. IT-98-33-A, Decision on Application for Subpoenas, 1 July 2003 (“Krstić Appeal Decision”), paras. 20. [2] For instance, those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide cannot invoke immunity from national or international jurisdiction even if they perpetrated the crimes while acting in their official capacity (see Blaškić Appeal Decision, paras. 41, 42). See also Blaškić Appeal Decision, para. 51; Krstić Appeal Decision, paras. 24-27. [3] Blaškić Appeal Decision, para. 38. See also Blaškić Appeal Decision, paras. 42-44. [4] Blaškić Appeal Decision, para. 44. [5] Blaškić Appeal Decision, para. 33. See also Blaškić Appeal Decision, para. 37. [6] Blaškić Appeal Decision, para. 33. |
IRMCT Statute
Article 28
IRMCT Rule
Rule 8; Rule 90 |
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| Notion(s) | Filing | Case |
| Decision on Contempt Proceedings - 26.04.2017 |
NGIRABATWARE Augustin (MICT-12-29-R) |
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Pages 3-4: CONSIDERING that the parties have made detailed submissions, where they, by and large, rely on the same well-established jurisprudence but disagree about its interpretation with respect to the remedies available in case of non-compliance by a State with an order issued by the Mechanism;[1] CONSIDERING, therefore, that the information before me is sufficient to reach an informed decision, and, accordingly, that it is not necessary to invite further oral or written submissions on the matter; [2] [1] See Response [Prosecution Response to Ngirabatware’s Motion to Initiate Contempt Proceedings, 12 April 2017], paras. 2-4, citing, inter alia, Blaškić Appeal Decision [Prosecutor v. Tihomir Blaškić, Case No. IT-95-14-AR108 bis, Judgement on the Request of the Republic of Croatia for Review of the Decision of the Trial Chamber II of 18 July 1997, 29 October 1997], paras. 25, 28, 33, 34, 36, 38, 41, 43, 44; Krstić Appeal Decision [Prosecutor v. Radislav Krstić, Case No. IT-98-33-A, Decision on Application for Subpoenas, 1 July 2003], paras. 23-28; Reply [Reply to Prosecution Response to Motion to Initiate Contempt Proceedings and Request for Oral Hearing, 16 April 2017], paras. 7, 8, citing, inter alia, Blaškić Appeal Decision; Krstić Appeal Decision, para. 26. [2] See, e.g., The Prosecutor v. Ramush Haradinaj et al., Case No. IT-04-84bis-AR73.1, Decision on Request for Oral Argument, 16 March 2011, p. 2, n. 8 and references cited therein. |
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| Decision on Inter Partes Proceedings in Rule 86 Matters - 09.03.2017 |
KARADŽIĆ Radovan (MICT-13-55-A) |
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7. As to Karadžić’s request for participation in the Rule 86 proceedings referred to in the Motion, the Appeals Chamber notes that the proceedings concern requests for variation of protective measures granted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia with regard to Prosecution witnesses. In these circumstances, when deciding whether to vary the existing protective measures, the Appeals Chamber considered it appropriate to seek information from the Prosecution. The Appeals Chamber did not consider it necessary to lift the ex parte status of the Rule 86 Applications in respect of Karadžić and invite him to make submissions because it did not consider that Karadžić would be in a position to supplement the witness protection information from the Witness Support and Protection Unit of the Mechanism or offer other information relevant to witness protection concerns of Prosecution witnesses. The Appeals Chamber emphasizes that the Rule 86 Applications concern the application of witness protection measures in domestic proceedings, not Karadžić’s appeal. For these reasons, the Appeals Chamber finds that Karadžić has failed to demonstrate that he has standing to participate in the Rule 86 proceedings identified in the Motion. [1] In addition, the Appeals Chamber observes that the Practice Direction on the Procedure for Variation of Protective Measures allows for applications pursuant to Rule 86 of the Rules to be filed ex parte with regard to one or more of the parties in the proceedings, provided that the applicant provides an explanation of the good cause for filing the application ex parte. See Practice Direction on the Procedure for Variation of Protective Measures, para. 6. The Appeals Chamber is satisfied that the Rule 86 Applications evince good cause for their ex parte status as they contain information identifying domestic investigations and pre-trial proceedings. |
IRMCT Rule Rule 86 | |
| Notion(s) | Filing | Case |
| Decision on Inter Partes Proceedings in Rule 86 Matters - 09.03.2017 |
KARADŽIĆ Radovan (MICT-13-55-A) |
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5. […] A party requesting reconsideration of a decision must satisfy the chamber of the existence of a clear error of reasoning in the impugned decision, or of particular circumstances justifying reconsideration in order to avoid injustice. […] [1] Prosecutor v. Jean-Paul Akayesu, Case No. MICT-13-30, Decision on a Motion for Reconsideration, 30 June 2016, p. 1 and reference cited therein. See also Prosecutor v. Jadranko Prlić et al., Case No. IT-04-74-A, Public Redacted Version of the “Decision on Valentin Ćorić’s Request for Provisional Release” Issued on 15 August 2016, p. 3 and references cited therein. |
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| Decision on Non-Compliance with Obligation to Cooperate - 06.03.2017 |
NGIRABATWARE Augustin (MICT-12-29-R) |
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Pages 1-2: CONSIDERING that, pursuant to Article 28 of the Statute, States shall comply without undue delay with orders issued by the Mechanism; […] CONSIDERING that, in accordance with Rules 8(A) and 131 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the Mechanism (“Rules”), non-compliance with any order relating to a proceeding before the Appeals Chamber may be reported to the United Nations Security Council;[1] […] FIND that the Government of the Republic of Turkey has failed to comply with its obligations under Article 28 of the Statute to cooperate with the Mechanism in relation to the proceedings in this case and to comply without undue delay with a judicial order issued by the Mechanism; and DETERMINE that, pursuant to Rules 8(A) and 131 of the Rules, this matter shall be reported to the United Nations Security Council. [1] See Prosecutor v. Tihomir Blaškić, Case No. IT-95-14-AR108 bis, Judgement on the Request of the Republic of Croatia for Review of the Decision of Trial Chamber II of 18 July 1997, 29 October 1997, paras. 33-35. |
IRMCT Statute Article 28 IRMCT Rule Rule 8 | |
| Notion(s) | Filing | Case |
| Decision on Non-Compliance with Obligation to Cooperate - 06.03.2017 |
NGIRABATWARE Augustin (MICT-12-29-R) |
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Page 2: CONSIDERING that, as Pre-Review Judge, I am “vested with the power to address problems arising during the review proceedings on behalf of the Appeals Chamber”, shall ensure that the proceedings are not unduly delayed, and shall take any measures related to procedural matters, including the issuing of decisions, orders, and directions with a view to preparing the case for a fair and expeditious hearing;[1] CONSIDERING that, in order to ensure the proper preparation of this case for a fair and expeditious hearing, I find it necessary as Pre-Review Judge acting on behalf of the Appeals Chamber to initiate the procedure envisioned under Rules 8(A) and 131 of the Rules; [1] See Prosecutor v. Drago Josopivić, Case No. IT-95-16-R, Order Designating a Pre-Review Judge, 25 April 2002, p. 2 (emphasis added). See also Rule 135(B) of the Rules. |
IRMCT Rule
Rule 8; Rule 135; Rule 146 |
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| Decision on Fair Trial and Presumption of Innocence - 27.02.2017 |
MLADIĆ Ratko (IT-09-92-AR73.6) |
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8. The Trial Chamber’s determination of whether the engagement of certain staff would lead to actual bias or the appearance of bias is a discretionary decision to which the Appeals Chamber must accord deference.[1] […] […] 23. […] The Appeals Chamber considers that the Impugned Decision concerns the engagement of staff to assist the Trial Chamber and recalls that a trial chamber’s determination in this respect is a discretionary decision to which the Appeals Chamber must accord deference.[2] However, the Appeals Chamber emphasizes that trial chambers must exercise their discretion consistently with Articles 20 and 21 of the Statute, which require trial chambers to ensure that a trial is fair and expeditious.[3] [1] The Prosecutor v. Casimir Bizimungu et al., Case No. ICTR-99-50-AR‑73.8, Decision on Appeals Concerning the Engagement of a Chambers Consultant or Legal Officer, 17 December 2009 (“Bizimungu et al. Appeal Decision”), para. 4. [2] Bizimungu et al. Appeal Decision, para. 4. See also supra, para. 8. [3] See Nyiramasuhuko et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 138; Ildéphonse Nizeyimana v. The Prosecutor, Case No. ICTR‑00-55C-A, Judgement, 29 September 2014, para. 286; Augustin Ngirabatware v. The Prosecutor, Case No. ICTR-99-54-A, Decision on Augustin Ngirabatware’s Appeal of Decisions Denying Motions to Vary Trial Date, 12 May 2009, para. 22. |
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| Decision on Fair Trial and Presumption of Innocence - 27.02.2017 |
MLADIĆ Ratko (IT-09-92-AR73.6) |
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9. The Appeals Chamber recalls that legal officers assisting Judges at the Tribunal are not subject to the same standards of impartiality as the Judges of the Tribunal, and that judicial decision-making is the sole purview of the Judges.[1] Legal officers merely provide assistance to the Judges in legal research and preparing draft decisions, judgements, opinions, and orders in conformity with the instructions given to them by the Judges.[2] 10. Notwithstanding the above, in some cases, a prospective staff member’s statements or activities may be so problematic as to either impugn the perceived impartiality of the Judges or the appearance thereof, or, even if this were not the case, the Tribunal’s fundamental guarantees of fair trial.[3] In this respect, the Appeals Chamber recalls in particular, that an unacceptable appearance of bias exists, inter alia, where the circumstances would lead a reasonable observer, properly informed, to reasonably apprehend bias.[4] The Appeals Chamber further recalls that there is a presumption of impartiality which attaches to the Judges of the Tribunal and which cannot be easily rebutted.[5] […] 37. When addressing whether the impartiality of the Judges in this case could be affected by the Impugned Staff’s involvement in the Karadžić case, the Trial Chamber found that, even though “there is a considerable degree of overlap between the Karadžić case and the present case”, “a properly informed and reasonable observer would not consider […] that the judges in the present case ha[ve] failed to maintain the high degree of integrity and impartiality to which they are sworn, even if they or the Impugned Staff had worked on both cases.”[6] It added that a properly informed and reasonable observer would not expect that the Judges in this case would do anything other than rule fairly on the issues before them, relying exclusively on the evidence adduced in the present case, even if they or their staff had been exposed to evidence in both cases.[7] The Trial Chamber concluded that the presumption of impartiality attached to the Judges in this case had not been rebutted on the basis that the Impugned Staff had worked on an overlapping case in which factual findings were made in relation to Mladić.[8] 38. With respect to Mladić’s argument that the Trial Chamber failed to sufficiently reason its conclusions relating to the application of the reasonable observer test,[9] the Appeals Chamber considers that Mladić’s arguments effectively amount to a challenge to how the reasonable observer test has been interpreted in the case law. The Appeals Chamber is of the view that Mladić’s argument reflects his disagreement with the jurisprudence relied upon by the Trial Chamber and set out in detail in the applicable law section of the Impugned Decision,[10] as well as with the Trial Chamber’s reliance on this jurisprudence when assessing whether the Impugned Staff’s involvement in the Karadžić case could lead to an appearance of bias of the Judges in this case[11] without explaining how the Trial Chamber erred in following this case law. The Appeals Chamber finds that Mladić fails to demonstrate an error in the Trial Chamber’s reasoning. 39. Moreover, the Appeals Chamber recalls that “‘mere assertions to the effect that a staff member may influence a Judge during deliberations or the adjudication process are not a sufficient basis, in and of themselves’, to create in the mind of a reasonable observer, properly informed, an appearance of bias or to rebut the presumption of impartiality of judges.”[12] Accordingly, the Appeals Chamber does not consider that a staff’s previous work on an overlapping case is, in and of itself, sufficient to impugn the Judges’ impartiality or the appearance thereof. The Appeals Chamber therefore finds no merit to Mladić’s argument that a reasonable observer would consider that the fact that the Impugned Staff previously worked on the closely-related Karadžić case, is sufficient to rebut the impartiality of the Judges in this case. See also paragraphs 30, 33. [1] The Prosecutor v. Pauline Nyiramasuhuko et al., Case No. ICTR-98-42-A, Judgement, 14 December 2015 (“Nyiramasuhuko et al. Appeal Judgement”), para. 273, referring to, inter alia, Bizimungu et al. Appeal Decision, para. 9, Ildephonse Hategekimana v. The Prosecutor, Case No. ICTR‑00-55B-A, Judgement, 8 May 2012 (“Hategekimana Appeal Judgement”), para. 20. [2] Nyiramasuhuko et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 273; Bizimungu et al. Appeal Decision [The Prosecutor v. Casimir Bizimungu et al., Case No. ICTR-99-50-AR‑73.8, Decision on Appeals Concerning the Engagement of a Chambers Consultant or Legal Officer, 17 December 2009], para. 9. [3] Bizimungu et al. Appeal Decision, para. 11. [4] See, e.g., Prosecutor v. Mićo Stanišić and Stojan Župljanin, Case No. IT-08-91-A, Judgement, 30 June 2016 (“Stanišić and Župljanin Appeal Judgement”), para. 43 and references cited therein. [5] See, e.g., Stanišić and Župljanin Appeal Judgement, para. 44 and references cited therein; Nyiramasuhuko et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 273; Hategekimana Appeal Judgement, para. 16. [6] Impugned Decision [Prosecutor v. Ratko Mladić, Case No. IT-09-92-T, Decision on Defence Motion for a Fair Trial and the Presumption of Innocence or, in the Alternative, a Mistrial, 4 July 2016], para. 22. [7] Impugned Decision, para. 23. [8] Impugned Decision, para. 26. [9] See supra, para. 17. [10] Impugned Decision, paras 9-10. [11] Impugned Decision, paras 22-23. [12] Hategekimana Appeal Judgement, para. 20, quoting Bizimungu et al. Appeal Decision, para. 10. |
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| Decision on Fair Trial and Presumption of Innocence - 27.02.2017 |
MLADIĆ Ratko (IT-09-92-AR73.6) |
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25. […] The Appeals Chamber recalls further that, while a trial chamber must provide reasoning in support of its findings on the substantive considerations relevant for a decision, it is not required to articulate every step of its reasoning and to discuss each submission.[1] […] [1] Nyiramasuhuko et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 105 and references cited therein. See also Prosecutor v. Radovan Karadžić, Cases Nos. IT-95-5/18-AR72.1, IT-95-5/18-AR72.2, IT-95-5/18-AR72.3, Decision on Radovan Karadžić’s Motions Challenging Jurisdiction (Omission Liability, JCE-III – Special Intent Crimes, Superior Responsibility), 25 June 2009, para. 30. |
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| Decision on Fair Trial and Presumption of Innocence - 27.02.2017 |
MLADIĆ Ratko (IT-09-92-AR73.6) |
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30. The Appeals Chamber is of the view that the Trial Chamber correctly recalled that the Impugned Staff provides assistance to the Judges while the decision-making remains entirely in the Judges’ purview and that neither the Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the Tribunal nor the related jurisprudence provide for the disqualification of the Impugned Staff.[1] […] [1] Impugned Decision [Prosecutor v. Ratko Mladić, Case No. IT-09-92-T, Decision on Defence Motion for a Fair Trial and the Presumption of Innocence or, in the Alternative, a Mistrial, 4 July 2016], para. 18. See also Impugned Decision, para. 14, referring to Bizimungu et al. Appeal Decision [The Prosecutor v. Casimir Bizimungu et al., Case No. ICTR-99-50-AR‑73.8, Decision on Appeals Concerning the Engagement of a Chambers Consultant or Legal Officer, 17 December 2009], paras 5, 9; Nyiramasuhuko et al. Appeal Judgement, para. 273; In the Case against Florence Hartmann, Case No. IT‑02‑54‑R77.5, Report of Decision on Defence Motion for Disqualification of Two Members of the Trial Chamber and of Senior Legal Officer, 27 March 2009 (public redacted version), para. 54. |
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| Order to Government for Release of Judge - 31.01.2017 |
NGIRABATWARE Augustin (MICT-12-29-R) |
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11. It is self-evident that justice and the rule of law begin with an independent judiciary.[1] The right to be tried before an independent and impartial tribunal is an integral component of the right to a fair trial enshrined in Article 19 of the Statute[2] and embodied in numerous human rights instruments.[3] The United Nations Human Rights Committee has stated that the right to an independent and impartial tribunal “is an absolute right that may suffer no exception”.[4] To uphold this right, in the exercise of their judicial functions, the judges of the Mechanism shall be independent of all external authority and influence, including from their own States of nationality or residence.[5] A corollary guarantee for the independence of the Mechanism’s judges is contained in Article 29 of the Statute, which provides for full diplomatic immunity for judges during the course of their assignments – even while exercising their functions in their home country.[6] Accordingly, diplomatic immunity is a cornerstone of an independent international judiciary, as envisaged by the United Nations. The ability of the judges to exercise their judicial functions first and foremost from their home countries reflects the unique characteristics of the Mechanism, which was intended to ensure justice coupled with cost‑savings and efficiency.[7] Turkey was a member of the United Nations Security Council at the time of the consideration of our Statute and voted in favour of its adoption,[8] a Statute which guarantees an independent judiciary and full diplomatic immunity for our judges while performing their work.[9] […] [1] See United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, adopted by the Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, 26 August - 6 September 1985, endorsed by United Nations General Assembly Resolutions A/RES/40/32 and A/RES/40/146 of 29 November 1985 and 13 December 1985, respectively (“U.N. Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary”). [2] See Prosecutor v. Mićo Stanišić and Stojan Župljanin, Case No. IT-08-91-A, Judgement, 30 June 2016 (public with confidential Annex C), para. 42; Prosecutor v. Nikola [ainović et al., Case No. IT-05-87-A, Judgement, 23 January 2014, para. 179; Prosecutor v. Milan Martić, Case No. IT-95-11-A, Judgement, 8 October 2008, para. 39; Prosecutor v. Anto Furundžija, Case No. IT-95-17/1-A, Judgement, 21 July 2000, para. 177, n. 239. See also Prosecutor v. Vojislav [ešelj, Case No. IT-03-67-PT, Decision on Motion for Disqualification, 10 June 2003, pp. 2-3 (“Judges […] serve only the international community” and “disavow any influence by the policies of any government, including the government of their home country”); Prosecutor v. Zejnil Delalić et al., Case No. IT-96-21-T, Decision of the Bureau on Motion on Judicial Independence, 4 September 1998, pp. 7-9. [3] See Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 10 December 1948, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 217 A (III), Article 10 (“Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.”); International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 16 December 1966, United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 999, p. 171, Article 14(1) (“All persons shall be equal before the courts and tribunals. In the determination of any criminal charge against him, or of his rights and obligations in a suit at law, everyone shall be entitled to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law.”); European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, as amended by Protocols Nos. 11 and 14, 4 November 1950, Article 6(1) (“In the determination of his civil rights and obligations or of any criminal charge against him, everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law.”); American Convention on Human Rights, Costa Rica, 22 November 1969, Article 8(1) (“Every person has the right to a hearing, with due guarantees and within a reasonable time, by a competent, independent, and impartial tribunal, previously established by law, in the substantiation of any accusation of a criminal nature made against him or for the determination of his rights and obligations of a civil, labor, fiscal, or any other nature.”). See also African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, 27 June 1981, CAB/LEG/67/3 rev. 5, 21 I.L.M. 58 (1982), Article 26 (“States parties to the present Charter shall have the duty to guarantee the independence of the Courts and shall allow the establishment and improvement of appropriate national institutions entrusted with the promotion and protection of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the present Charter.”). [4] Case of Miguel Gonzáles del Río v. Peru, Communication No. 263/1987, para. 5.2. [5] See U.N. Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, Principle 2 (“The judiciary shall decide matters before them impartially, on the basis of facts and in accordance with the law, without any restrictions, improper influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences, direct or indirect, from any quarter or for any reason.”); The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct, adopted by the Judicial Group on Strengthening Judicial Integrity as revised at the Round Table Meeting of Chief Justices, 25-26 November 2002, Value 1.1 (“A judge shall exercise the judicial function independently on the basis of the judge’s assessment of the facts and in accordance with a conscientious understanding of the law, free of any extraneous influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interference, direct or indirect, from any quarter or for any reason.”); The Burgh House Principles on the Independence of the International Judiciary, drafted by the Study Group of the International Law Association on the Practice and Procedure of International Courts and Tribunals, in association with the Project on International Courts and Tribunals, Preamble (“Considering the following principles of international law to be of general application: to ensure the independence of the judiciary, judges must enjoy independence from the parties to cases before them, their own states of nationality or residence, the host countries in which they serve, and the international organisations under the auspices of which the court or tribunal is established”). See also Code of Professional Conduct for the Judges of the Mechanism, MICT/14, 11 May 2015, Article 2.1 (“In the exercise of their judicial functions, judges shall be independent of all external authority or influence.”). [6] See, e.g., Article 29 of the [MICT] Statute. Cf. also ICJ Advisory Opinion on Differences Relating to Immunity from Legal Process, paras. 60, 61, 67 (upholding the immunity of a United Nations Special Rapporteur against legal process in his national country); Applicability of Article VI, Section 22, of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, Advisory Opinion, I.C.J. Reports 1989, p. 177, paras. 51, 61 (holding that United Nations Special Rapporteurs enjoy privileges and immunities in their relation with the States of which they are nationals or on the territory of which they reside). [7] See United Nations Security Council Resolution 1966, U.N. Doc. S/RES/1966, 22 December 2010 […] (emphasizing that the Mechanism should be a “small, temporary and efficient structure”); See also Article 8(3) of the [MICT] Statute. [8] See United Nations Security Council Report, Special Research Report, No. 3, 17 September 2010, p. 1; U.N. Doc. S/PV.6463, 22 December 2010, p. 3. [9] See Articles 19 and 29 of the [MICT] Statute. |
IRMCT Statute
Article 8(3); Article 19; Article 29(2) |
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| Notion(s) | Filing | Case |
| Order to Government for Release of Judge - 31.01.2017 |
NGIRABATWARE Augustin (MICT-12-29-R) |
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12. With the arrest of Judge Akay, proceedings on the merits of Ngirabatware’s Request for Review have necessarily come to a standstill. To move the case forward, as suggested by the Prosecution,[1] by the substitution of a judge as a first reaction in response to the current situation is nothing short of violating a core principle that is fundamental to the administration of justice: an independent judiciary. 13. I have long maintained that upholding the integrity of our judicial system entails not exercising the powers conferred upon me as President arbitrarily and eschewing improper influences when determining the composition of judicial benches.[2] It is […] evident […] that reassignment of Judge Akay onto another case is simply an unfair and myopic solution since it would similarly halt proceedings in that case. While pragmatic, this solution will undoubtedly impinge on the fundamental principle of judicial independence as it would allow interference by a national authority in the conduct of a case and the exercise of judicial functions. As such, it will have a chilling effect on the administration of justice. Moreover, the inherent authority of the Mechanism cannot be interpreted, as the Prosecution suggests, [3] to include taking substantive decisions on the merits of a case in the absence of the consideration by all of the members of the bench. Judge Akay’s views on this case matter to our solemn deliberations, and, in the present circumstances, decisions on the merits of this case cannot be taken even should they hold the support of a majority of the remaining judges. Moreover, it cannot be said that the integrity of the judicial system would be upheld if a replacement of a judge is viewed as a measure of first rather than last resort, especially where the avenues for the Government of the Republic of Turkey to implement the United Nations Secretary-General’s assertion of immunity have neither been fully explored nor exhausted, including the execution of this request made by Ngirabatware. In this regard, I note that Judge Akay’s release is also being sought pursuant to domestic legal proceedings in Turkey. An application before the European Court of Human Rights has also been filed.[4] […] 15. This is not to say that judges can never be reassigned or replaced. But a judge has been arrested, immunity has been asserted, it has not been waived, and Judge Akay’s continued presence on the bench has the full support of the person who is seeking relief. Judge Akay is an essential member of this bench. In the absence of extraordinary circumstances, his continued presence on the bench is essential to the preservation of judicial independence. To say Judge Akay can be replaced easily to facilitate the judicial process – at this initial stage and before other avenues have been exhausted – is to say we do not value judicial independence, value justice, value what is right. [1] See supra [Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware, Case No. MICT-12-29-R, Order to the Government of the Republic of Turkey for the Release of Judge Aydin Sefa Akay, 31 January 2017], para. 9. [2] See Theodor Meron, Judicial Independence and Impartiality in International Criminal Tribunals, 99 Am. J. Int’l L. 363-65 (2005). [3] See [Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware, Case No. MICT-12-29-R] Oral Hearing, T. 17 January 2017 pp. 19, 27. [4] See ECHR Ref. No. 59/17. |
IRMCT Statute Article 19 | |
| Notion(s) | Filing | Case |
| Order to Government for Release of Judge - 31.01.2017 |
NGIRABATWARE Augustin (MICT-12-29-R) |
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16. I recall that, while the Mechanism will not lightly intervene in a domestic jurisdiction,[1] there is clear authority to order a state to terminate proceedings against individuals on the basis of the immunity they enjoyed as a result of their connection with the Mechanism.[2] Such orders have been implemented.[3] In the present circumstances, an order to Turkey to immediately cease prosecution and to release Judge Akay so that he can continue to exercise his judicial functions in this case is entirely appropriate and necessary to ensure that the review proceedings can conclude. Such an order is binding on Turkey pursuant to Resolution 1966 adopted by the United Nations Security Council under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter on 22 December 2010. Article 9 of Security Council Resolution 1966 requires that all States comply with orders issued by the Mechanism. [1] Théoneste Bagosora et al. v. The Prosecutor, Case No. ICTR-98-41-A, Decision on Aloys Ntabakuze’s Motion for Injunctions Against the Government of Rwanda Regarding the Arrest and Investigation of Lead Counsel Peter Erlinder, 6 October 2010 (“Bagosora et al. Decision of 6 October 2010”), para. 18. [2] See Prosecutor v. Ante Gotovina et al., Case No. IT-06-90-T, Order Directed to the Republic of Croatia, 18 February 2011, p. 2; Prosecutor v. Ante Gotovina et al., Case No. IT-06-90-AR73.5, Decision on Gotovina Defence Appeal Against 12 March 2010 Decision on Requests for Permanent Restraining Orders Directed to the Republic of Croatia, 14 February 2011, paras. 36, 45, 67, 71; Théoneste Bagosora et al. v. The Prosecutor, Case No. ICTR-98-41-A, Decision on Aloys Ntabakuze’s Motion for Stay of Proceedings, 27 January 2011 (“Bagosora et al. Decision of 27 January 2011”), para. 10; Bagosora et al Decision of 6 October 2010, paras. 20-31. [3] See, e.g., Prosecutor v. Ante Gotovina et al.,Case No. IT-06-90-A, Communication dated 12 October 2011 from the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Croatia (Proceedings Pursuant to the Order of the ICTY Trial Chamber Dated 18 February 2011), 14 October 2011 (confidential), Registry Pagination. 3043; Bagosora et al Decision of 27 January 2011, para. 10. |
IRMCT Statute Article 28 | |
| Notion(s) | Filing | Case |
| Order to Government for Release of Judge - 31.01.2017 |
NGIRABATWARE Augustin (MICT-12-29-R) |
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17. In relation to Ngirabatware’s request for temporary provisional release,[1] I consider that as Pre-Review Judge, I lack competence to entertain this request.[2] […] Any request for modifications of the conditions of detention in accordance with Rule 67 of the Rules should be made before the President. [1] See [Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware, Case No. MICT-12-29-R] Oral Hearing, T. 17 January 2017 pp. 21, 22, 25, 26; Ngirabatware Further Submission [Further Submission on Motion for Order to Government of Turkey or for Temporary Provisional Release, 18 December 2016 ], paras. 1, 14, 15; Motion [Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware, Case No. MICT-12-29-R,Motion for Order to Government of Turkey or for Temporary Provisional Release, 10 November 2016], paras. 2, 22. [2] See Rule 135 of the [MICT] Rules. I find Ngirabatware’s reliance on the competence of a Duty Judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (“ICTY”) inapposite given the circumscribed nature of the corresponding competence of a Duty Judge at the Mechanism. See [Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware, Case No. MICT-12-29-R] Oral Hearing, T. 17 January 2017 pp. 25, 26. Compare Rule 28 of the [MICT] Rules (indicating that a Duty Judge will serve as a Single Judge on matters “not assigned to a Single Judge or Trial Chamber”) with Rule 28(D) of the ICTY Rules of Procedure and Evidence (authorizing a Duty Judge to deal with applications in a case already assigned to a Trial Chamber if, inter alia, “satisfied as to its urgency or that it is otherwise appropriate to do so in the absence of the Trial Chamber”). In addition, while Rule 68(I) of the [MICT] Rules applies, mutatis mutandis, to convicted persons who are in the custody of the Mechanism pending transfer to an enforcement state, the decision to authorize such provisional release principally rests with the Appeals Chamber, to the extent that it is already seised of the case. See Prosecutor v. Zdravko Tolimir, Case No. MICT-15-95-ES, Public Redacted Version of the “Decision on Motion for Provisional Release” Filed on 28 January 2016, 23 February 2016, paras. 7, 8. |
IRMCT Rule
Rule 67; Rule 135 |
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| Notion(s) | Filing | Case |
| Decision on Redacted Versions of Rule 86(F) Filings - 24.01.2017 |
KARADŽIĆ Radovan (MICT-13-55-A) |
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Page 3: CONSIDERING that Karadžić’s reply expands on his submissions made in the Motion to which the Prosecution had sufficient opportunity to respond; FINDING, therefore, that Karadžić’s reply contains no new issue that would justify granting leave to file a sur-reply; [1] Prosecutor v. Vujadin Popović et al, Case No. IT-05-88-A, Public Redacted Version of 2 May 2014 Decision on Vujadin Popović’s Third and Fifth Motions for Admission of Additional Evidence on Appeal Pursuant to Rule 115, 23 May 2014, para. 14 (“leave to file a sur-reply may be granted where the reply raises a new issue to which the respondent has not already had the opportunity to respond”). |
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| Notion(s) | Filing | Case |
| Decision on Redacted Versions of Rule 86(F) Filings - 24.01.2017 |
KARADŽIĆ Radovan (MICT-13-55-A) |
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Page 3: RECALLING that all proceedings before the Mechanism shall be public unless exceptional reasons require keeping them confidential; [1] Prosecutor v. Naser Orić, Case No. MICT-14-79, Decision on an Application for Leave to Appeal the Single Judge’s Decision of 10 December 2015, 17 February 2016, para. 8 referring to Article 18 of the Statute of the Mechanism and Rules 92 and 131 of the Rules. |
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| Notion(s) | Filing | Case |
| Decision on Redacted Versions of Rule 86(F) Filings - 24.01.2017 |
KARADŽIĆ Radovan (MICT-13-55-A) |
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Pages 3-4: RECALLING that a request for access to confidential ex parte material can only be granted when the requesting party demonstrates a heightened showing of a legitimate forensic purpose in order to protect the interests of the party who designated its filing as ex parte and who enjoys a protected degree of trust that the ex parte material will not be disclosed;[1] Pages 4-5: FINDING that issuing public redacted versions of the decisions and orders issued in this case pursuant to Rule 86(F) of the Rules as well as four filings made by the Registry of the Mechanism and the Prosecution will ensure the public nature of these proceedings to the extent possible and that the interests of the parties who designated their filings as ex parte can be adequately protected by appropriate redactions; CONSIDERING that, in light of the varied circumstances of applications made under Rule 86(F) of the Rules, access to any future confidential ex parte materials in such cases should be determined upon any application made on a case-by-case basis; [1] See The Prosecutor v. Miroslav Bralo, Case No. IT-95-17-A, Decision on Motions for Access to Ex Parte Portions of the Record on Appeal and for Disclosure of Mitigating Material, 30 August 2006, para. 17. See also Decision of 10 May 2016 [Decision on Motion for Access to Ex Parte Filings in Completed Cases, 10 May 2016], p. 3 and references cited therein. [2] Prosecutor v. Radovan Karadžić, Case No. MICT-13-55-R86F.2, Registrar’s Submission in Relation to the Order of 20 September 2016, 27 September 2016 (confidential and ex parte); Prosecutor v. Radovan Karadžić, Case No. MICT-13-55-R86F.3, 27 September 2016, Registrar’s Submission in Relation to the Order of 20 September 2016 (confidential and ex parte); Prosecutor v. Radovan Karadžić, Case No. MICT-13-55-R86F.2, Prosecution Request for Leave to File Further Submission in Response to Registrar’s Submission in Relation to the Order for Submissions of 20 September 2016, 29 September 2016 (confidential and ex parte); Prosecutor v. Radovan Karadžić, Case No. MICT-13-55-R86F.3, Prosecution Request for Leave to File Further Submission in Response to Registrar’s Submission in Relation to the Order for Submissions of 20 September 2016, 29 September 2016 (confidential and ex parte). The Appeals Chamber notes that its finding does not extend to the confidential ex parte annexes attached to the Registry’s submissions of 29 September 2016. [3] The Appeals Chamber notes that, with regard to two of the five proceedings at issue, Case No. MICT-13-55-R86.F.2, Case No. MICT-13-55-R86.F.3, the ex parte status of the requests made under Rule 86(F) of the Rules was lifted in these instances with respect to the Prosecution as the requests concerned Prosecution witnesses. The request filed as Case No. MICT-13-55-R86.F.1 was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Two other proceedings, Case No. MICT-13-55-R86.F.4 and Case No. MICT-13-55-R86.F.5, are currently pending and only assignment orders have been issued to date. |
IRMCT Rule Rule 86(F) | |