Rwanda: Future lawyers square up in simulated war-crimes trial
Law students compete in the second national moot court competition
On 13th and 14th November 2017, law students from around the country will square up in the second National Moot Court Competition on the law governing armed conflict, known as the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
The competition will consist of four teams each with three law students, and its format is a simulated war-crimes trial, in which the teams will take turns playing the roles of both the prosecution and the defence. Such competition intends to develop an increased awareness and interest in IHL among academic circles in Rwanda.
The competing universities include the University of Rwanda, The University of Lay Adventists of Kigali, Kigali Independent University ULK and the University of Kigali.
The winning team will be fully sponsored by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to represent Rwanda in the All Africa IHL moot court competition to be held from 18 to 25 November 2017 in Arusha, Tanzania.
Law students to compete in the second national moot court on International Humanitarian Law, https://t.co/MgQD1Tk5rB @ICRC_Africa @ICRC @Uni_Rwanda @UnivOfKigali @unilak_rwanda @ULK #IHLRWANDA2017 @Rwanda_Justice @Rwandaredcross #Rwanda #Rwandans pic.twitter.com/rJ3bc4rmJo
— IHL Rwanda (@IhlRwanda) November 12, 2017
On the first day of the competition, a public lecture themed "IHL and Terrorism" shall be delivered to law students, law lecturers, law experts and practitioners, diplomats, public and military authorities.
This competition is part of a larger ICRC programme which aims to promote IHL in the country. It has been organized by the ICRC in partnership with the University Law Schools in Rwanda and the Rwanda Red Cross Society (RRCS).
The first national IHL moot court was held on 5 and 6 October 2016. The Kigali Independent University ULK team emerged victorious.