During the visit of the ‘’Friends of ICTR’’ to the Tribunal today, two countries namely the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom have signed separate agreements with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in support of its work and projects. The Federal Republic of Germany granted a non refundable voluntary contribution of up to US$ 240,400 to finance ICTR “Youth Sensitization Project” in the African Great Lakes Region, while the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the confidentiality and privacy of information between the Government of the UK and the Office of the Prosecutor.

The Agreement on the youth Sensitization project was signed by the German Ambassador to Tanzania H.E. Guido Herz and the ICTR Registrar Mr. Adama Dieng while the Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the British High Commissioner H.E. Diane Corner and the ICTR Prosecutor Mr. Hassan Bubacar Jallow. Prosecutor Jallow and Mr. Dieng thanked respectively the United Kingdom and Germany for their continuous and much-appreciated bilateral support. Following the signing ceremony, the German Ambassador, the UK High Commissioner, the ICTR Prosecutor and the ICTR Spokesperson addressed the ICTR based journalists during a short press briefing. The youth project, which covers 2009 and 2010, involves organising an Essay and Drawing Competition for students aged between 8 – 16 years in Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Kenya, and publishing cartoon book on the causes of 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The project is aimed at sensitizing the youth of the region on the role of the Tribunal in promoting international justice and is part of the Tribunal’s Educational and Outreach Program campaign to raise awareness of the youth in the region in the global fight against the culture of impunity. This remarkable financial contribution shall enhance ICTR’s outreach activities during the year 2010.

During the visit, the ‘’Friends of ICTR’’ held talks with the ICTR President Sir Dennis Byron, the Prosecutor Mr. Hassan Bubacar Jallow, and the Registrar Mr. Adama Dieng. The talks centered on the status of the ICTR operations and on areas of cooperation, in particular, the sensitization of Member States in the continued provision of cooperation and judicial assistance in apprehending the remaining fugitives and in overcoming the multifaceted challenges facing the Tribunal at this critical stage of its completion strategy. The ICTR Principals reiterated their highest appreciation for the commendable contributions and unwavering support of the ‘’Friends of ICTR’’ to the ongoing work of the Tribunal. Their Delegation also visited the United Nations Detention Facility. The group of the ‘’Friends of ICTR’’ included: H.E. Paul Jansen Ambassador of Belgium; H.E. Robert Orr High Commissioner of Canada; H.E. Guido Herz Ambassador of Germany; H.E. Francesco Catania Ambassador of Italy; H.E. Diane Corner High Commissioner of United Kingdom; H.E. Sylvie Massière Deputy Head of Mission of France; H.E. Clemens Hach Deputy Head of Mission of Germany; H.E. Monique Korzelius Political Officer of Netherlands and H.E. Stephanie Hutchison Political Officer of the U.S.A.