Mechanism welcomes new Judge to its judicial roster

The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) is delighted to announce that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres, has appointed Judge René José Andriatianarivelo of the Republic of Madagascar (Madagascar) to the Mechanism’s roster of Judges, effective 20 February 2024.

Judge Andriatianarivelo brings to the Mechanism extensive professional experience, having served in different judicial and prosecutorial capacities in his home country for over 35 years. Most recently, he was Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Court and Representative of the Prosecution Service before the High Court of Justice of Madagascar. Before that, he held the position of Chief Prosecutor of the Appeals Division of the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Prosecution Service in Antananarivo and, previously, Advocate General at the Court of Cassation in the Supreme Court of Madagascar. Judge Andriatianarivelo commenced his career within the Malagasy judiciary in 1986. From that time, he served as a Judge and Examining Judge, including as President of the Court of First Instance of Antsirabe, and later as a Prosecutor in numerous courts in Madagascar. His experience in the area of professional ethics and integrity will also invaluably benefit the work of the Mechanism.

Judge Andriatianarivelo graduated from the Institute of Judicial Studies at the University of Antananarivo, Madagascar, with a Master’s Degree in Private Law. He is fluent in French, English, and Malagasy.

Judge Andriatianarivelo was appointed to the Mechanism’s roster of Judges following the resignation of Judge Mahandrisoa Edmond Randrianirina on 4 October 2023 and will serve the remainder of Judge Randrianirina’s term of office, which ends on 30 June 2024.

Following Judge Andriatianarivelo’s appointment, in accordance with its Statute the Mechanism once more has a complete roster of 25 independent Judges who serve both The Arusha and The Hague branches of the Mechanism.