2003 - Session francophone: Jesolo, Italie

Ce fut un fameux Pictet. Ci-dessous, un bel exemple de coopération au sein de l'équipe. Plus bas, une dépêche d'Agence du Rwanda, avec quelques remarques intéressantes...

Face au terroriste sélézote...

Dépêche d'Agence:

Rwanda-Italy/Society

Gacaca dominates Italy humanitarian competitions

KIGALI, April 04 (RNA)- Rwanda's traditional justice system, Gacaca attracted a high attention from participants at the international humanitarian competitions held in Italy from 22(superscript: nd) -30 (superscript: th) April, 2002, Rwanda News Agency has readily established.

Speaking to RNA upon their return, Rwandan delegates at the annual competitions said most of the participants found Gacaca type of justice as the most viable remedy for justice to communities emerging from conflict. "In the plenary sessions we held on what could be the best way to deliver justice to a post conflict society, all the participants voted Gacaca as the most suitable remedy," said Fabien Majoro one of the delegates. He said many competitors were optimistic that though, a lot is still awaited in the success of Gacaca courts, it will sincerely deliver justice both to the victims and the perpetrators party, and also pave a way for a durable national reconciliation.

Gacaca system of justice is a Rwandan traditional medium of resolving conflicts that was later re-established by the national unity government as a response to justice challenges inherited from the1994-genocide that left more than a million Rwandans dead. It's viewed as the most competent structure that will speed up cases and promote reconciliation and the population. The "Jean-Pictet competition" is an international competition involving students from universities of law, political sciences and military schools. The competition aims at improving participants' knowledge of international humanitarian law through role plays and simulations.

The three-man Rwandan crew, was the only African team that participated in the competition's 15(superscript: th) edition that is organized by a Swiss international humanitarian organization. Majoro however, said that other African participants from Cameroon and Mali went missing as they landed at a Paris airport on their way to Italy. "They just disappeared. They didn't even report at the place where the event took place. Actually, they just went into their own missions."

A similar event was held in Greece between 8(superscript: th)-16 (superscript: th) March, and the final competitions are scheduled between August and October in Geneva, Switzerland. The finals will bring together winners of the Italy event (Francophone)- the French University of Paris II and the Brussels University (Belgium)-, and Australia and Georgia who won the Greece event (Anglophone).

The Rwandan crew comprised of Kayitare Frank, Kangwegwe Christiane, Fabien Majoro (all 4(superscript: th) year Law students at the National University of Rwanda-Butare), and their Swiss Coach Johan Guillaume, who is also a delegate of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC). MTN RwandaCell, ICRC and the University sponsored the Rwandan delegation to the event. The event attracted 25 teams from around the world, each with 3 students.

According to Majoro, the competitions enlightened them more on the issues pertaining to international humanitarian law and that they will disseminate the knowledge to the rest of the Rwandan population. Kangegwe said; "Actually we hope to organize series of similar competitions in Rwanda that we hope will even help us improve our performance in the next Jean-Pictet competitions."

They however, also observed that such events helps to give true information about Rwanda. They said some people still thought Rwanda as a land of turmoil that is too difficult to live in. "What I have observed is that we don't only need to emerge as the overall winners in those competitions. Actually, we benefit even a more crucial issue of telling the world about Rwanda's current stability. Most of the people were asking us whether we will return back to Rwanda, because they have a very negative image of Rwanda in their mind," argued Kayitare.

Rwanda has participated twice in the Jean-Pictet competition. The Communications Coordinator of ICRC-Rwanda, Pascal Déquier, promised his organization's full support to the crew. "We are fully committed to providing all the necessary support that seeks to increase Rwandese knowledge about the international humanitarian law." (End)

RNA-ARI/Soc/AJ/03 04 04/ 03:10 gmt.