STATEMENT
BY
MR.  WANJUKI MUCHEMI
SOLICITOR GENERAL OF
THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA
ON
AGENDA ITEM 74 and 75
REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR RWANDA (ICTR) AND THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA (ICTY)
AT THE
62nd SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
MONDAY – 15TH OCTOBER 2007   - NEW YORK


Mr. President,

I wish to express my delegation’s gratitude to you for the able manner in which you continue to conduct the deliberations on this Agenda item.

My delegation associates itself with the statement by Benin on behalf of the African group.

The reports of the two International Criminal Tribunals established for the prosecution of persons responsible for serious violations of International Humanitarian Law committed in Rwanda and on the Territory of the former Yugoslavia indicate commendable achievements.

The work of the two Tribunals demonstrates how multilateral cooperation can go along way in ensuring administration of justice and enforcement of international law.

Mr. President,

My delegation calls upon all Member States to extend support and assist in efforts to arrest and transfer indictees to these tribunals. This support and assistance should also be extended to countries who accept to host persons serving their sentences to improve their facilities for these purposes.

On our part, the Government of Kenya has been steadfast in its cooperation with the ICTR in respect of the Court’s mandate.  As it is well known, Kenya has been a host of many refugees from the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa Region including those from Rwanda. Kenya has worked closely with the Court since its establishment to ensure that indictees disguised as refugees from Rwanda are arrested and transferred to the Court in Arusha.

In this respect, the Government of Kenya in consultations with the Court has put in place elaborate measures to assist the Court in tracing and arresting other indictees still at large.

For example, on the 27th of September 2006, the prosecutor of ICTR, together with representatives of 25 diplomatic Missions met with the relevant senior Government officials and agreed on modalities for cooperation including tracing, arrest and transfer of fugitives to the Court. A Task Force, in which the Court is fully represented, is currently in place to implement the agreed modalities.

Mr. President,

We are confident that the arrangements put in place would immensely contribute to the successful completion of the Court’s mandate. We appeal to the international community to ensure that those who participated in the most heinous crimes against the Rwandese people are brought to justice.  Kenya will play its part. 

Thank you.