UNSC Debate on International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals IRMCT
14 June 2022, 10:00 hrs. 

India Statement

I take this opportunity to thank the Judge Carmel Agius,President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT)for his briefing and Prosecutor Serge Brammertz for presenting the 20^th progress report concerning the Residual Mechanism. 

2.    The Residual Mechanism, in line with the mandate of the Security Council, has played an important role insupporting the concerned member states in addressing issues related to impunity, justice and reconciliation.  In this context, my delegation appreciates Judge Carmel Agius for his able stewardship as President of IRMCT and for ensuring that the Mechanism remains on track and continues to deliver. The coordination between the three principal organs, that is the Chambers; the Prosecutor; and the Registry, in ensuring fulfillment of the Mechanism's result-oriented mandate deserves appreciation.

3.     The efforts made towards ensuring business continuity to the extent possible under extraordinary circumstances in some instances is commendable. We are hopeful that these efforts will positively help in adhering to the timelines laid down for case completion.

4.     We welcome the appointment of Judge Fatimata Sanou Toure of Burkina Faso and Judge Margaret deGuzman of USA to the Judicial roster of the Mechanism. The appointment of female judges on the Mechanism's roster is a positive step towards gender parity at the highest levels in UN bodies.

5.     We reiterate the importance of implementation of the mandate by the Mechanism strictly in accordance with the principles of justice, impartiality, and fairness.    

6.     We acknowledge the progress made on other judicial matters during the reporting period, such as the variation of protective measures, access to confidential materials for use in cases before domestic jurisdictions, and relocation of acquitted and released persons. We also note the work of the Prosecutor’s Office in its other residual functions.

7.     We also look forward to an early resolution of the impasse posed in the context of acquitted and released persons relocated to the Republic of Niger. This is a humanitarian issue that needs to be addressed with urgency and sensitivity. We welcome the efforts made by the Mechanism towards resolving their predicament. We firmly believe that the situation can be successfully addressed by collective use of Mechanism's political, diplomatic, and administrative efforts.

8.     The Mechanism should continue to make headway in its remaining residual functions, including protecting victims and witnesses, tracking the remaining fugitives of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, extending assistance to national jurisdictions, and managing the archives of the ad hoc Tribunals and the Mechanism.

9.    Before concluding, let me once again reiterate Mr. President, that we encourage the Mechanism to take necessary measures to keep the trial and appeal schedules on track and, in keeping with its mandate, assist in capacity building of national judicial authorities in relevant countries.I thank you, Mr. President.