125
279.
The inclusion of discriminatory intent in the ICTR Statute does not indicate that
discriminatory intent need not be shown in order for Article 5 of the Statute of this Tribunal
to apply. Rather, the Defence submits that it shows the intention of the Security Council to
embrace discriminatory intent as a requirement for crimes against humanity. 342
280.
The Defence submits that the silence in Article 5 as to whether discriminatory intent
is required for crimes against humanity creates an uncertainty. To resolve this uncertainty,
the Appeals Chamber should look to sources such as the preparatory work of the Statute as
it interprets Article 5 of the Statute. Thus, the Defence submits that the Trial Chamber was
correct in looking to the Report of the Secretary-General and to statements of members of
the Security Council in determining that discriminatory intent must be shown in respect of
all crimes under Article 5 of the Statute. 343
B. Discussion
281.
The Prosecution submits that the Trial Chamber erred in finding that all crimes
against humanity enumerated under Article 5 require a discriminatory intent. It alleges,
further, that because of this finding, the Trial Chamber “restricted the scope of persecutions
under subparagraph (h) only to those acts not charged elsewhere in the Indictment rather
than imposing additional liability for all acts committed on discriminatory grounds. In
doing so, it would appear that the sentence against the accused was significantly
reduced.” 344 However, the Prosecution does not appeal the sentence imposed by the Trial
Chamber in respect of the crimes against humanity counts, or seek to overturn the Trial
Chamber’s verdict or findings of fact in this regard. Thus, this ground of appeal does not,
prima facie, appear to fall within the scope of Article 25(1). 345 Nevertheless, and as with
the previous ground of appeal, the Appeals Chamber finds that this issue is a matter of
general significance for the Tribunal’s jurisprudence. It is therefore appropriate for the
Apppeals Chamber to set forth its views on this matter.
342
T. 231-232 (21 April 1999).
T. 236 – 239 (21 April 1999).
344
Skeleton Argument of the Prosecution, para. 32.
345
See Cross-Appellant’s Brief, para. 7.1(4), where the Prosecution requests the Appeals Chamber to “reverse
the decision of the Trial Chamber, at page 250 paragraph 652, that discriminatory intent is an ingredient of all
crimes against humanity under Article 5 of the Statute.”
343
Case No.: -94-1-A
15 July 1999