Carla Del Ponte

Carla Del Ponte, born on February ninth, nineteen forty-seven, is a distinguished Swiss jurist and former Chief Prosecutor of two significant United Nations international criminal law tribunals. Her career is marked by her role as the prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), a position she assumed in August nineteen ninety-nine, succeeding Louise Arbour.

Del Ponte's tenure was not without challenges. In two thousand three, she faced removal from her position as the Prosecutor for the ICTR, a decision influenced by pressure from Rwanda's president, Paul Kagame, who was obstructing her investigations into crimes committed by Tutsi forces. Despite this setback, she continued to serve as the Prosecutor for the ICTY until January first, two thousand eight, when she was succeeded by Serge Brammertz.

Beyond her legal career, Del Ponte has also made her mark in diplomacy, serving as the Swiss ambassador to Argentina from two thousand eight until February two thousand eleven. Her contributions to international law and justice have been significant, reflecting her commitment to upholding human rights.

In her personal life, Del Ponte was previously married and is a mother to one son, balancing her professional achievements with her family responsibilities.