Residual mechanism for UN tribunals will continue to function after 2020: head

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, December 12, 2019
Adjust font size:

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Head of a residual mechanism, which deals with cases left over by the UN criminal tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda, said Wednesday that his institution will continue to exist after it completes its caseload in 2020.

"We look forward to completing most of our judicial caseload in 2020, and to thereafter becoming a leaner residual institution," said Judge Carmel Agius, president of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

"To clarify, this does not mean that the mechanism will close once the cases are done. On the contrary, the mechanism was tasked by the Security Council to perform numerous residual functions that will continue for many years into the future, unless you, the members of the council, decide otherwise," he told the Security Council in a briefing.

The mechanism will, therefore, be in a position to focus primarily on its continuous residual functions after 2020, in the absence of any fugitive trials or review proceedings, he said. "Indeed, with the exception of any potential appeals, the mechanism expects to conclude all existing cases within the next 12 months."

In becoming a leaner institution, the mechanism will be able to truly fulfill the Security Council's vision of the institution as a small, temporary and efficient structure, whose functions and size will diminish over time, with a small number of staff commensurate with its reduced functions, said Judge Agius. "I am sure you will agree that this is a very appealing prospect."

He asked for the continued support of the Security Council and of the broader UN membership, particularly in respect of the mechanism's budgetary requirements.

The mechanism's budget proposal for 2020 will soon be under consideration by the Fifth Committee of the UN General Assembly.

"As I have outlined, the mechanism is poised to complete the bulk of its existing caseload in 2020. It is striving every day to meet the expectations of the Security Council, which are indeed high. The mechanism is prepared to do the work, and to dispose of the remaining cases as efficiently and effectively as possible. But it will require the necessary resources to do so, and all the support you can provide," said Judge Agius.

"Just as in the past, I have confidence that the international community will not let us down, and that it will remember why the ad hoc tribunals (for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda) and the mechanism were established in the first place."

The mechanism was established by the UN Security Council in 2010. It has two branches, one in The Hague, the Netherlands, the other in Arusha, Tanzania. Enditem

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter