René Blattmann


René Oswaldo Blattmann Bauer is a Bolivian judge, lawyer and politician who is a judge of the International Criminal Court. Prior to his appointment to the ICC Blattmann served as Bolivia's minister for justice and human rights.

Early life and education

Blattmann was born to a father of Swiss descent and studied law at the University of Basel between 1967 and 1971. After graduation, he taught at several universities in Bolivia and abroad.

Political career

In 1993 Blattmann entered politics with the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement, serving as the Minister of Justice. He introduced several reforms with regard to human rights. In the presidential elections of 2002, he was the presidential candidate for the Movimiento Ciudadano para el Cambio. He campaigned for introducing the mechanism of the referendum inspired by the Swiss democracy in Bolivian politics, but was not elected.

Juridical career

Judge Blattmann was elected to the ICC from the Latin American and Caribbean group of states as a member of List B, the list of judges whose experience is in the field of human rights law and international law. He was elected for a six-year term in 2003, and although that term expired in 2009 he remained in office for the duration of the trial of Thomas Lubanga. He was assigned to the court's trial division and sat as a member of Trial Chamber I. Blattman's term ended in 2012.

Personal life

René is the grandson of Karl Blattmann, a Swiss immigrant to Cachuela Esperanza, Bolivia. He is married to Marianne Schassner and has three children. He holds dual citizenship of Bolivia and Switzerland.

Awards