PRESS RELEASE : The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals has an important role in delivering justice – UK statement at the UN Security Council [December 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 December 2023.

Statement by UK Legal Adviser Chanaka Wickremasinghe at the UN Security Council meeting on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

Thank you Mr President.

I’d like to start by thanking President Gatti Santana and Prosecutor Brammertz for their briefings today and for the latest Report of the Mechanism.

I’d also like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the Ambassador of Gabon and his team for their leadership of the Council’s informal working group on tribunals.

Mr President, today I want to make three points.

First, the Mechanism’s work has continued effectively and efficiently over the past six months. Most recently, this has included the confirmation of the death of the fugitive, Mr. Aloys Ndimbati. We commend the Office of the Prosecutor for its work and echo the report’s call for continued cooperation between all states to secure the arrests of the remaining two Rwandan fugitives as soon as possible.

My second point is that the Mechanism’s work remains critical. In the Western Balkans, we’ve seen heightened ethno-national tensions, and concerning use of hate speech by some political figures. Such language entrenches division and holds back countries from providing safe, inclusive, and prosperous environments for their citizens.

The Court has played an essential role in delivering justice for all, which has in turn, has promoted peace and reconciliation. We therefore welcome progress in the mechanism’s discussions with the government of Croatia on the establishment in Zagreb of an information center on the ICTY. Such centers can promote knowledge and understanding of history which is important in challenging the denial of atrocity crimes.

Further, the mechanism’s ongoing work with the government of Rwanda remains essential as Rwanda looks to commemorate 30 years since the genocide against the Tutsi in April next year. Given the Mechanism’s critical role, the UK is proud to demonstrate its support through enforcing sentences and in doing so it takes seriously its duty of care to detainees under the supervision of the Mechanism.

My third point is there remain several abstanding issues which impact the Mechanism’s ability to deliver its mandate and which must be addressed. In particular, we are disappointed by reports of some states blocking cooperation in the Western Balkans. We call on Serbia to fulfill its obligation to arrest and transfer Petar Jojić and Vjerica Radeta to the Mechanism following years of requests.

The UK is also concerned by the situation of the Rwandan individuals relocated to Niger who have been rendered stateless since 2022 and remain under house arrest. We would welcome further updates on efforts to find a durable solution regarding these individuals.

Mr President, to conclude, the Mechanism has much important and sensitive work to do, ensuring sentences are properly enforced, its legacy is preserved, and national prosecutions are supported. We see that the Mechanism is well placed to deliver on these ongoing functions, and that it is taking seriously the need to do so in a streamlined way. We look forward to reviewing the Mechanism’s mandate over the coming months.

Thank you.