INTERNATIONAL COURT OF WSTICE
Peace Palace, 2517 KJ The Hague. Tel: +31 (0)70 302 23 23. Cables: Intercourt,
The Hague. Fax: +31 (0)70 364 99 28. Telex: 32323. E-mail address:
[email protected]. Internet address: http://www.icj-cij.org.
Press Release
Unofficial
No. 2005/15
8 July 2005
Armed Activities on the Territorv of the Congo (New Application: 2002)
(Democratie Republic of the Congo v. Rwanda)
Conclusion of the public hearings
Court ready to begin its deliberation
THE HAGUE, 8 July 2005. The public hearings in the case conceming Anned Activities on
the Territoryof the Congo (New Application: 2002) (Democratie Republic of the Congo v.
Rwanda) were concluded today. The Court will now start its deliberation.
At the hearings, which opened on 4 July 2005 at the Peace Palace, seat of the Court, the
delegation of the Democratie Republic of the Congo was led by H.E. Maître Honorius Kisimba
Ngoy Ndalewe, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals of the Democratie Republic of the
Congo. The delegation of Rwanda was led by H.E. Martin Ngoga, Deputy Prosecutor General of
the Republic of Rwanda, as Agent.
The Court's Judgment will be delivered at a public sitting, the date of which will be
announced in due course. Itis to be noted that the Judgment will deal with the issues of the
jurisdiction of the Court and the admissibility of the Application and not with the merits of the
case.
Final submissions of the Parties
On Wednesday 6 July 2005 Rwanda presented the following final submissions:
"The Republic of Rwanda requests the Court to adjudge and declare that:
1. it lacks jurisdiction over the claims brought against the Republic of Rwanda by the
Democratie Republic of the Congo; and
2. in the alternative, the claims brought against the Republic of Rwanda by the
Democratie Republic of the Congo are inadmissible."
On Friday 8 July 2005 the Democratie Republic of the Congo presented the following final
submissions:
"May it please the Court,
1. to find that the objections to jurisdiction and admissibility raised by Rwanda are
unfounded; - 2-
2. consequently, to find that the Court has jurisdiction to entertain the case on the
merits and that the Application of the Democratie Republic of the Congo is
admissible as submitted;
3. to decide to proceed with the case on the merits."
Historv of the proceedings and full transcripts of the hearings
The history of the proceedings as well as the full transcripts of the hearings held between
4 July and 8 July 2005 can be found on the Court's website at the following address:
www.icj-cij.org. Click on "Docket''and then on the hyperlink bearing the name of the case to
view press release 2005/12.
Information Department:
Mr. Arthur Witteveen, First Secretary of the Court (tel: +31 70 302 2336)
Mrs. Laurence Blairon and Mr. Boris Heim, Information Officers (tel: +31 70 302 2337)
E-mail address: [email protected]
Armed activities on the territory of the Congo (New Application: 2002) (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Rwanda) - Conclusion of the public hearings - Court ready to begin its deliberation