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Death of Judge Li of the Appeals Chamber

The President and Judges, the Registrar and all the staff of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) announce with sorrow the death of Judge Haopei Li, Judge at the Common Appeals Chamber of the two international criminal tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. Judge Haopei Li died on 6 November 1997 in the Hague at the age of 91.

Elected in 1993 as one of the first eleven judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Judge Li actually sat as Judge of the Appeals Chamber of the ICTR from 1995, date on which ICTR judges were solemnly sworn in.

"Apart from his outstanding qualities as a jurist, Judge Li leaves in the minds of his colleagues of the ICTR the image of a man of rare wisdom and exceptional availability" remarked Judge Laïty Karna, President of the ICTR, following the announcement of Judge Li's death. "Judge Li always made it a point of duty to participate in the plenary sessions of our Tribunal, braving bad weather and several other obstacles which would have discouraged many a man. His sense of self-sacrifice and commitment to the cause of justice will never be forgotten", Judge Laity Kama added.

Before his appointment to the ad hoc international criminal tribunals, Judge Li had served as Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing and as part-time Professor of International Law at Peking University. He represented his country, China, in many international meetings. He was a member of several scientific societies, including the Institute of International Law, and member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Judge Li was robbed of life by death while he was on the verge of a well-deserved retirement.

A condolence book will be opened at the seat of the ICTR, Arusha, from Wednesday 12 November 1997 at 10 am until Friday 14 November 1997 at 5 pm.

For information only - Not an official document

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