Mechanism Archives and Records Section holds online training for legal practitioners and researchers from Rwanda

On 13 June 2024, the Archives and Records Section of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (MARS/IRMCT) delivered an interactive online training session for approximately 20 legal practitioners from the Certa Foundation from Rwanda. The session focused on navigating and accessing the extensive archives of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the IRMCT using the Unified Court Records Database (UCR).

The training session aimed to enhance the research capabilities of participants by providing in-depth and hands-on guidance on accessing public records and archives online. Key aspects of the session included detailed information on the kinds of records available in the archives and what is accessible to the public through the online database. Participants learned how to navigate the UCR using different search parameters to retrieve records effectively. Additionally, the session covered other platforms for accessing non-judicial records. It also provided guidance on how to request further assistance and materials from MARS by using the enquiry form or sending an email to MARS.

Certa Foundation, founded in 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda, champions equitable access to justice for vulnerable groups and capacity building for justice actors. In commemorating KWIBUKA30, CERTA foundation is working on a documentary project to honour victims and survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Accessing the ICTR archives in the form of audiovisual recordings, exhibits, transcripts and other documents part of the judicial case records will enable them to deliver an accurate and authentic feature in honour of the victims.

The Mechanism remains committed to facilitating public access to its archives while adhering to the Access Policy for the Records held by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (MICT/17/Rev.1). Researchers and interested parties can utilise these resources for educational, historical, media and legal research.

For additional information or to explore the archives, please visit the archives page on our website.