LEGACY WORKSHOP HELD AS ICTR TAKES STOCK

ICTR in collaboration with Brandeis University International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life , USA and EALS, held a workshop on LEGACY OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURTS AND TRIBUNALS FOR AFRICA on Nov 29-Dec 1, 2007 in Arusha.  

Symposium topics discussed included;

• Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes: Case Studies in Criminal Responsibility
• Freedom of Speech and Incitement to Criminal Activity: A Delicate Balance
• Sexual Violence Under International Law
• Fairness of the Proceedings
• Outreach of International Justice: How Can the Work of an International Criminal Tribunal Foster the Rule of Law in National Jurisdictions?
• Transfer of ICTR Jurisprudence to Rwanda and Beyond
• Africa and the Future of International Law

The meeting occurred against a background of ICTRs exit strategy seeing as the Court is rapidly approaching its mandated December 2008 completion date for the trials of individuals considered to be most responsible for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda . 

Approximately 200 people were in attendance, including influential judges of international law and national jurisdictions of East African nations; prominent legal scholars and practitioners; key staff members from a range of international criminal tribunals and special courts; journalists; political officials and diplomats; and a diverse range of individuals from other relevant fields and professions. 

Through the promotion of dialogue between the Tribunal, East African judiciaries and the international legal community on the eve of the Tribunal's final year of operation in Arusha, the symposium played a critical role in the achievement of the Tribunal's mandate and Completion Strategy, allowing shared ideas to be incorporated into the actual operation of the Tribunal in 2008.

ARUSHA HOSTS LAW REFORM WORKSHOP

Law Societies and Bar Associations in Eastern Africa are calling for a coordinated approach to legal reforms in the region as essential value addition to initiatives being undertaken at the country levels. This sums up the mood of the Workshop on Advocacy for Law Reforms held in Arusha on Dec 4-8, 2007. The workshop was facilitated by the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) and hosted by the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), with the support of EALS.

The objectives of the 3 day Workshop were to:

• Take stock of each country's Governance, Justice, Law and Order Sector Reform programmes and;
• Share experiences and extract best practices from each of these

Participants at the Workshop were drawn from Members of Governing Councils, Law Reform Committees and senior Secretariat staff of the Law Societies of Kenya, Rwanda Tanzania, Uganda , Zanzibar , Ethiopia and the East Africa Law Society.

Meanwhile, EALS plans to research and update the status of Access to justice in the region. This is as part of its lobbying and advocacy component and is supported by the Canadian Bar Association (CBA). The activity will commence in early 2008.

NEW STAFF ON BOARD

In a bid to consolidate its staffing needs, EALS has recently recruited two new staff. EALS is pleased to announce the appointment of Bobi Odiko as its Information and Communications Officer. Bobi who assumed office on January 8, 2008, joins the organization from the East African Business Council where he worked in a similar capacity. Bobi holds a first degree in Communications and a Masters in the Marketing field. He will be responsible in overseeing all EALS publications, E-communications and media relations.

Also joining with effect from November 2007 is Ms Joyce Abalo Kevin as Assistant Legal Officer – Regional Integration. Prior to joining EALS, Joyce a holder of BA Social Sciences and an Associate Degree (Democracy and Development Studies) at Makerere University and Uganda 's Martyrs University respectively, worked as a Project Manager with the NRC in Kampala . She has attended a number of courses in human rights, governance and gender.

EALS welcomes both Officers on board and looks forward to benefiting from their vast experience in their respective fields.