Right to challenge the lawfulness of detention

Notion(s) Filing Case
Decision - 01.06.2000 SEMANZA Laurent
(ICTR-97-23-A)

112. Neither the Statute nor the Rules of the Tribunal specifically address writs of habeas corpus. However, the Appeals Chamber has already pointed out that the possibility for a detained individual to have recourse to an independent judicial authority for review of the lawfulness of his detention is "well established by the Statute and Rules".[1] This is a fundamental right and is enshrined in international human rights law,[2] which also provides that the right of an individual to challenge the lawfulness of his detention implies that "a writ of habeas corpus must be heard".[3]

113. The Appeals Chamber wishes to confirm the principle which it laid down in the Barayagwiza case: if an accused files a writ of habeas corpus, the Tribunal must hear it and rule upon it without delay, as principal instruments of international human rights law prescribe.[4] If such a writ is filed but not heard, the Chamber will find that a fundamental right of the accused has been violated.

[1] Case No. ICTR-97-19-AR72, Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza v. The Prosecutor, "Decision", Appeals Chamber, 3 November 1999, para. 88.

[2] Ibid., paras. 88-89. See in particular Article 8 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Article 9 (4) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Article 5 (4) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; and Article 7 (6) of the American Convention on Human Rights.

[3] Ibid., para. 89.

[4] Ibid., para. 88.

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Notion(s) Filing Case
Decision - 03.11.1999 BARAYAGWIZA Jean-Bosco
(ICTR-97-19-AR72)

See paragraphs 88-89 of the decision.

See also paragraph 90 of the decision.

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