United Nations

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS REGISTRAR FOR INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR RWANDA

NEW YORK, 26 January (UN Headquarters) -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan today appointed Adama Dieng of Senegal as the new Registrar for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Born on 22 May 1950, Mr. Dieng graduated from Dakar's Centre de formation et de perfectionnement administratifs (Judicial branch) in 1973. He began his career as Registrar of the Regional and Labour Courts in Senegal in that same year, and then served as Registrar of the Supreme Court of Senegal for six years. In 1980, he graduated from the Research Centre of The Hague International Law Academy, and in 1982, he joined the International Commission of Jurists, serving the organization in different capacities, including as its Legal Officer for Africa until 1989, and as Executive Secretary from 1989 to 1990. He served a further 10 years as its Secretary-General.

Mr. Dieng has lectured on international law and human rights at institutes and universities around the world, and he has acted as consultant for many organizations, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the Ford Foundation, the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and the Organization of African Unity (OAU). In 1985, Mr. Dieng was appointed the United Nations Independent Expert for Haiti. Throughout his career, he has been widely published on issues related to human rights.

Mr. Dieng replaces Agwu Ukiwe Okali of Nigeria who served as Registrar since February 1997. He will reside in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, headquarters of the Rwanda Tribunal.