Statement By Ambassador Byrne Nason at the UNSC Briefing on the IRMCT

Statement

Thank you Mr President.

I want to thank President Carmel Agius and Prosecutor Serge Brammertz for their comprehensive briefings today.  We are pleased to be able to welcome you both back to brief the Council in-person today.

We commend acknowledge the leadership you have shown in guiding the Mechanism through this very difficult period, marked by the pandemic, with significant progress made in judicial proceedings over the reporting period. Thank you.

In particular, we note the decisions in the Mladic case and the judgments in the Stanišić and Simatović and the Nzabonimpa cases during the reporting period. 

We welcome also the ongoing work to harmonise approaches between the Mechanism’s two branches.

I want to welcome your announcement this morning that, after many years and your own significant efforts, it has been possible for to find a lasting solution for those acquitted and released residing in the Arusha safe house. In particular, I must commend Niger for facilitating these persons’ safe relocation.

Mr President,

States’ have an obligation to cooperate with the Mechanism in its investigations and prosecutions.  However, despite many instances of positive cooperation by Member States, such as that exemplified by Niger, and regional organisations with the Mechanism, as well as the provision of assistance by the Mechanism to national jurisdictions, this Council’s call on States to intensify cooperation with and provide all necessary assistance to the Mechanism to achieve the arrest and surrender of all remaining fugitives remains outstanding.

In particular, Ireland remains deeply concerned that following your referral of Serbia to the Council due to non-cooperation in the surrender and arrest of Mr. Jojić and Ms. Radeta, no action has been taken by Serbia.

We call on Serbia and on all States to fulfil their obligations under international law, to cooperate fully with the Mechanism, and to assist in its efforts to arrest and surrender the remaining fugitives. Those who commit atrocity crimes must be brought to justice. Ending impunity is imperative to sustaining peace and stability in the region.

Last Thursday, the United Nations marked the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide. Ireland strongly supports the Mechanism’s role as a preventative tool against future acts of violence. The Mechanism contributes to prevention by ensuring justice for those crimes within its remit and establishing facts, but also through its commitment to promoting education and remembrance in the fight against genocide ideology.

The Prosecutor’s reports underline that genocide ideology continues to present risks to international peace and security. We repeat our firm view that denials of genocide and the glorification of convicted war criminals must be consistently challenged and must be condemned.

Mr President,

Ireland remains steadfast in our commitment to international criminal justice, ensuring accountability and achieving justice for victims and survivors. Never forgetting the victims and survivors in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, we will continue to support the work of the Mechanism and its role in ensuring that perpetrators of atrocity crimes are held to account.

Thank you, Mr President.

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