His Excellency Mr. Martin Ngoga, Prosecutor General of Rwanda arrived yesterday, 19 November 2008 in Arusha, Tanzania for consultations with the Prosecutor of the ICTR, Mr. Hassan Bubacar Jallow.

The meeting which spanned two days was also attended by H.E. Mr. Aloys Mutabingwa, the Representative of Rwanda to the ICTR. The discussions have focused on the strategy for referral of ICTR cases to Rwanda for trial. In this context, the parties welcomed the recognition by the ICTR that the Rwandan courts are independent and impartial. They however took note that for various other reasons, the ICTR has declined for the time being to refer cases to Rwanda.

The two Prosecutors identified the concerns of the ICTR and explained ways in which the obstacles to referral could be overcome. Prosecutor General Ngoga emphasized the commitment of Rwanda to work towards achieving success in the referral strategy and ICTR Prosecutor confirmed that once the necessary remedial measures were taken, his office would be ready to apply to the ICTR Chambers to consider further requests for referrals to Rwanda.