The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (UN-ICTR), between 30 November and 2 December 2015, hosted closing events in Arusha. The events included the unveiling of the Arusha Peace Park in the city to commemorate the Tribunal’s work and its many contributions to the local community as well as thanking the people of Arusha and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for their steadfast support to its work during the 21 years of its existence.

This was followed, the next day, with a gathering of past and present principals and Judges of the ICTR, Government officials from the Republic of Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania headed by the Minister of Justice Hon. Busingye Johnston and the Deputy Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yahya Simba respectively. Also in attendance was the representative of the UN Secretary General and Legal Counsel Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares.

Some brief remarks were made by these high-level officials as well as from the Staff Association.

A special exhibition of major milestones in the ICTR’s fight against impunity was on display during the events.  Other events included the launching of a book containing a collection of essays written in honour of the Prosecutor, and a Prosecutors Round Table Conference.

The Tribunal will officially close its doors on 31 December 2015.