YouSaid · the spoken record

Judge Meron

lines on the record: 419
first: 2003-10-08
most recent: 2018-12-11
sittings or episodes: 21
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Mechanism judges in Arusha and The Hague have also been busy deciding a wide variety of motions, involving issues such as variations to confidentiality protections and cooperation with national jurisdictions. The Mechanism stands ready to adjudicate any appeals from the four trials ongoing at the ICTY. At the same time, different sections of the Mechanism are preparing rosters to allow rapid staff recruitment, and are undertaking other measures to ensure readiness in case any ofthe three remaining ICTR fugitive indictees whose cases have not been referred to Rwanda are arrested.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source
“In creating the Mechanism, the Security Council not only tasked the new institution with a responsibility for certain essential functions of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the ICTY. The Council also, in essence, challenged the Mechanism to serve as an example of best practices and to learn from the experience of other international tribunals in order to operate in the most lean and efficient manner possible, while respecting relevant procedural safeguards. I am pleased to confirm that, by almost any measure, the Mechanism is meeting all of these important aims. The Mechanism continues to make steady progress in carrying out its judicial work. Later this month, in fact next week, in line with previous forecasts, I will be travelling to Arusha to deliver the Mechanism's very first appeal judgement.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source
“Our discussions underscored that the ICTY has made, and continues to make, an invaluable contribution to the restoration of the rule of law in the former Yugoslavia. Given the importance of the Tribunal's work, I would urge the Council to approve the full extensions of judges' terms requested in my letters of 1 October and 25 November. The precedents set by the Tribunal and by its accounting for all of the 161 individuals it has indicted have been instrumental in inaugurating a new era of accountability. It is essential that the international community continue to support us in this endeavour. One of the best ways to do that is by granting the extensions needed to complete our few remaining cases. I will now turn to the Mechanism.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source
“By design, my reports to the Council on the Tribunal focus almost exclusively on procedural issues and requests for assistance in completing our work. I very much hope, however, that the nature of these briefings will not lead any of us to forget the bigger picture and the tremendously significant role that the ICTY has played, and continues to play, both in setting global standards for international criminal law and justice and in helping to strengthen the rule of law at the local level. Indeed, just last month I travelled for several days in Bosnia and Herzegovina, meeting with representatives of diverse communities there and paying my respects at sites where terrible crimes had been found to have taken place.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source
“This downsizing is inevitable, but also gives rise to challenges when it comes to maintaining appropriate staffing levels. Despite staff members' dedication to their cases and duties, many of them are searching for other employment, and where offers cannot be deferred they are leaving the Tribunal, depriving us of valuable institutional and case-specific knowledge. Unable to deploy the most effective staff retention strategies, such as the incentive bonuses unfortunately rejected by the General Assembly, the Tribunal is attempting to retain and, where necessary, replace staff members in the most efficient manner possible. The three principals of the Tribunal are most grateful to the Office for Human Resources Management for measures taken to support the Tribunal in this respect.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source
“Due to the age ofour detainees, health-related issues are an unavoidable concern and raise humanitarian questions. Although the Tribunal makes every effort to ensure appropriate medical care, developments related to the health of detainees can sometimes fall outside our control and, as I am sure the Council understands, can cause delays to the Tribunal's work. The second matter I would like to address is staff recruitment and retention. This issue, which is discussed in my November report, also has the potential to adversely affect our judgement delivery schedule. As the members of the Council are aware, the Tribunal is significantly reducing in size over this budget biennium, and by the end of next year is expected to have drastically cut its staffing levels.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source
“Hadzie's health. In addition, the trial of Mr. Ratko Mladie has been reduced to four sitting-days per week, following medical advice. At this time, the Hadzie Chamber does not believe the adjournment will impact on the scheduled judgement delivery date. By contrast, the changes in the sitting schedule of the Mladie Chamber, along with the recent decision to reopen the Prosecution case, mean that the judgement in that trial is delayed until March 2017 or later. Finally, Mr. Vojislav Seselj - whose trial was delayed by the disqualification ofajudge in 2013 - has been granted provisional release by the Trial Chamber considering his case, a course of action the Chamber deemed appropriate in light of developments concerning Mr. Seselj's health.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source
“In this context, forecasts for the completion of the Tribunal's judicial work are inevitably subject to revision. 1 can assure the Council that the Judges and staff of the Tribunal nevertheless remain focused on doing all they can to avoid or reduce delays. The Tribunal also remains fully committed to transparency; when we know about changes to forecasts for a case schedule, we always communicate that information in our reports. There are two specific issues to which I wish to draw the attention of the Council. The first involves the health condition of several of our detainees, which has impacted two of our trials and which is a matter of great concern to the Tribunal and to me personally. As detailed in the November report, the trial of Mr. Goran Hadzie has been temporarily adjourned since 20 October for reasons relating to Mr.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source
“Although the majority of our remaining cases are progressing in line with previous forecasts, our November report also explains that certain trial and appeal judgements will be later than forecast by the Tribunal in May. The fact that such delays occur is disappointing to me and my fellow judges. Importantly, however, these recent changes to our judgement schedule are not expected to impact the anticipated date of the Tribunal's closure in 2017. I would further note, as I have before, that the judicial process is inherently dynamic and mutable; it is a process that takes place against a background of great legal and logistical complexity, and may be affected by any matter of unforeseen developments, such as the discovery of mass graves with possible forensic significance.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source
“As our November report (S/2014/827, annex I) makes plain, and as Council members have been aware for several years, despite the significant progress we have made in finishing cases the Tribunal will not be able to complete all of its judicial work by the end of this month. Numerous unforeseen and sometimes challenging circumstances - including the late arrests of the last ICTY indictees, the disqualification of a judge, the health conditions ofa number of our accused, and the size and complexity of certain multi-accused cases have prevented us from meeting the Security Council's target date for the completion of our judicial work by the end of 2014.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source
“I continue to be extremely grateful for the extensive support that the Office of Legal Affairs and the Legal Counsel provide to the ICTY and the Mechanism. I will first turn to the ICTY. I am pleased to report that the Tribunal continues to make progress in completing its last trials and appeals. Indeed, we have already delivered two appeal judgements in 2014, and expect to deliver another - in the large, multi-accused Papovic' et al. case - by the end of January 2015. Accordingly, we enter 2015 with only four trials and five appeal cases remaining. By the end of next year, only two cases - specifically, one trial and one appeal 4 should remain outstanding.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source
“Judge Meron: It is an honour to once again appear before the Council in two capacities i as President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and as President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. I hope that my remarks today will serve to elucidate certain key points set forth in the recent reports submitted on behalf of these two institutions. However, before I turn to these points, I should like to congratulate Ambassador Cherif of Chad on his country's assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. I also wish to express again my appreciation for the efforts of the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals, and particularly to Chile for its leadership of the Group.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source
“I am, as ever, deeply grateful to the members of the Council and the international community for their continued support as my colleagues and the dedicated staff of the ICTY and the Mechanism carry out the mandates the Council has entrusted to us.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“Ensuring accountability for the worst of crimes and respect for the rule of law is sometimes not easy, and it is certainly not cost-free. But it is essential. For the protection of men, women and children, and for the preservation of our common values, the commitments made by the Security Council more than two decades ago, and renewed in 2010 and again this very year, must not be forsaken. It is because of this that the Mechanism was created, that the ICTY is diligently and carefully completing its final few cases before it closes, and that a successful conclusion to the remaining work entrusted to both institutions is still so tremendously important.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“I can assure the Council, however, that the committed judges and staff of the Tribunal are making every effort to ensure that the Tribunal's nine remaining cases are speedily concluded while still respecting all necessary procedural safeguards. International courts cannot resolve long-running historical conflicts on their own. Courts must be part of a panoply of transitional justice measures, including broader societal efforts spearheaded by community leaders, focused on history, memory, responsibility and respect for the rule of law. The need for a broader approach such as this should not, however, detract from our appreciation for the Tribunal's groundbreaking role and the valuable contributions of international criminal justice more generally.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“As previously reported to the Council, it is currently anticipated that despite the Tribunal's continuing efforts, it will have difficulty in completing the appeals in the remaining three appeal cases by 31 December, and the projected schedule of one of those cases has suffered a setback. Details on all of these matters and other updates regarding the Tribunal are contained in my written report. Even as the Tribunal's judicial work advances, the ICTY continues to move towards closing its doors and is taking active steps to downsize its operations. A variety of factors, many beyond the scope of the case management process, continue to pose challenges as we strive to maintain previously forecast judgement delivery dates.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“As regards the Tribunal's remaining trials, three of them - those of the late-arrested accused Messrs. Hadiie, Karadzie and Mladie - are continuing in line with earlier forecasts for judgement delivery, although all three are expected to continue past 31 December, as I had previously informed the Council. The fourth and final case still at trial - that of Mr. Seselj - presents a situation sui generis, as described in my written report. Since my last appearance before the Council, judgements in two appeals have been issued, and two more are expected by the end of this year.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“When the Council established the Mechanism in 2010, all States were urged to intensify cooperation and render all assistance necessary to achieve the arrest and surrender of all remaining fugitives. Just a few months ago, the Council renewed its entreaty in resolution 2150 (2014), calling upon all States to cooperate in the arrest and prosecution of the remaining nine fugitives indicted by the ICTR, three of whose cases remain with the Mechanism. Such cooperation is imperative if the international community's commitment to ensuring accountability is to have meaning. I would now like to turn to discuss the ICTY, the first ad hoc tribunal created by the Council and a ground-breaking institution that is currently in the process of finishing its final few cases.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“As those two Tribunals complete their own work and downsize their operations, the Mechanism is relying less and less on their support. But even as this occurs, the principals and staff of the Mechanism will continue to work closely with their counterparts at the ICTR and the ICTY to ensure a smooth transition of remaining functions and services to the Mechanism. I would be likewise remiss ifI did not stress how vital the continued support and cooperation of Member States are to the fulfilment ofthe Mechanism's mandate. The Mechanism relies on States to enforce sentences pronounced by the ICTR, the ICTY and the Mechanism itself, and it is actively seeking to establish new enforcement agreements with States. The cooperation of States is also particularly vital when it comes to the apprehension of the remaining fugitives.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“The Mechanism's archives section also continues to work closely with the staff of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the ICTY on the preparation and transfer of records to the custody of the Mechanism, and progress is being made in relation to the construction of the Mechanism's permanent premises in Arusha. My colleagues and I are most grateful to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for its ongoing, excellent cooperation in relation to the preparations for these new premises. The dedication and talents of the Mechanism's excellent staff, hailing from more than 45 different States, have played an invaluable role in making all of this possible. However, I would be remiss ifI did not note with gratitude the tremendous support that the Mechanism receives from valued colleagues at the ICTR and the ICTY.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“As described in greater detail in my written report (8/2014/351, annex I), the Mechanism is providing Vital services to vulnerable victims and witnesses, supervising the enforcement of sentences across two continents, and addressing a wide range of requests for assistance from national jurisdictions, among other tasks. During the reporting period, the Mechanism has handled a significant amount and range of judicial work, involving everything from allegations of false testimony to requests for review and the variation of witness protection measures. The hearing in the Mechanism's first appeal from judgement will be conducted soon, and ajudgement in the case is expected before the end of the year.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“But it is through the law, I would suggest, and through our respect for the rule of law that our shared values are expressed and our moral imperatives articulated. It is through the law and respect for the rule of law that we affirm our own expectations about the kind of world in which we wish to live. More than 20 years ago, the Council unanimously affirmed the importance of ensuring accountability and respect for the rule of law when it established the ICTY. In 2010, the Council renewed its commitment to these same principles by creating the Mechanism. In the six months since I last appeared before the Council (see S/PV.7073), the principals and staff of the Mechanism have continued to carry out the mandate entrusted to it with both care and commitment.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“And I believe that all may also agree that the establishment of the ICTY more than two decades ago demonstrated a profound commitment on the part of the Council, acting on behalf of the international community, to ensuring accountability for widespread and flagrant violations of international humanitarian law through procedures and proceedings that reflect an abiding respect for fairness and due process of law - that reflect, in essence, a commitment to the rule of law. The significance of this expression of commitment should not be underestimated. It is a devastating truth that the mere existence of the law cannot stop all conflict or all brutality. Murder and rape, theft and destruction - these acts have occurred since time immemorial and, tragically, they continue to this day.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“Nor need I tell members how the varying visions that shape observers' perceptions of the roles of international criminal courts invariably impact the understanding of the courts' work and of their achievements and failings. Whatever different perceptions and expectations there may be about what it is that courts like the ICTY should achieve, however, I believe that all will agree that as a court, our mandate is to apply the law to the facts in a neutral manner, thereby ensuring the fair trials and appeals of those who have been accused of individual criminal responsibility for atrocities.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“For some observers, the Tribunal is the means by which victims and witnesses of horrific crimes have had and continue to have an opportunity to be heard and to obtain a sense ofjustice. For others, the Tribunal's judgements, as well as the extraordinary quantum of evidence presented in its proceedings more generally, provide an avenue for understanding the tragic events that devastated families and communities across the region of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Some observers and commentators also believe that bringing peace and reconciliation to the affected region is a core part of the Tribunal's mission. I need not tell the members of the Council that these different hopes and ideals for internationaljustice can often be in tension, if not outright conflict, with each other.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“The Russian Federation, as a permanent member of the Council, has a continuing and critical role to play in relation to matters of international criminal justice, and I wish to extend to the Russian Federation my best wishes for its presidency. I would like to underscore my appreciation for the work and dedication of the members of the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals, and to warmly welcome Chile and Ambassador Cristian Barros Melet to their new leadership role in the Working Group. Finally, I wish to recognize the continuing support and assistance provided to the ICTY and the Mechanism by the Office of the Legal Counsel and by the Legal Counsel himself, and to extend my deepest gratitude to all concerned. Since its establishment by the Council, the ICTY has been the subject of diverse and ambitious expectations.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“Judge Meron: It is my privilege to appear before the Security Council once again in two capacities, as President of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and as President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. During my remarks today, I shall endeavour not to repeat the content of the written reports for those two institutions, but will instead highlight a few of the key issues contained therein. Before doing so, however, I would like to congratulate Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of the Russian Federation on his country's assumption of the presidency of the Security Council.”
2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source
“As the Mechanism carries the legacy of the ICTY and the ICTR forward, I know that it will serve as a worthy successor to these two institutions and continue to symbolize the determination of the international community and the Council to bring an end to impunity.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“It has accounted for all 161 individuals indicted, given rise to an authoritative and extensive corpus of procedural and substantive law relating to serious international crimes, assisted national judicial systems in conducting their own trials of such crimes, and helped to end impunity, even for national or military leaders. These accomplishments are a reflection not just of the hard work and dedication of the Tribunal's staff and judges, but also of the key assistance provided to the Tribunal by the United Nations and its Member States. Without this support, the success of the bold experiment in international justice initiated by the Council in 1993 would never have been possible.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“I look forward to reporting to the Council on our progress, as well as on other developments, in my next written report on behalf of the Mechanism next year. As always, I come before the Council committed to the most complete transparency possible. I hope, however, that my frank discussion of delays, challenges and potential future risks does not give an unnecessarily negative impression of the Tribunal. The staff and Judges of both the Tribunal and the Mechanism remain fiercely committed to completing trials and appeals efficiently and in accordance with the highest standards of procedural fairness. Indeed, the twentieth anniversary of the ICTY this year provided an opportune time to reflect on the Tribunal's tremendous accomplishments. What the Tribunal has achieved in the course of two decades has been extraordinary.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“In resolution 1966 (2010), the Council requested that the Mechanism, along with the ICTY and the ICTR, cooperate with Rwanda and the States of the former Yugoslavia and other interested parties to facilitate the establishment of information and documentation centres by providing access to copies of public records of the archives of the Tribunals and the Mechanism, including through their websites. With respect to the role of the Mechanism, I can assure you that we are taking seriously our responsibilities in that regard. In the months and years ahead we will continue to take steps to ensure that such access is widely available, whether online or otherwise, and we welcome ideas and suggestions from any and all interested parties.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“Meetings of that sort, whether with high-level officials or with those at the working level, are crucial to helping to ensure that lines of communication are kept open and that, during this time of transition between the original ad hoc Criminal Tribunals and the Mechanism, the nature and effect of that transition are fully communicated and understood, particularly in the communities most affected by our work in both Rwanda and the States of the former Yugoslavia. One issue that continues to be raised, and one that is particularly important for many from those communities, concerns access to information about the work of the Tribunals.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“Strong relationships and partnerships with those States, and with other States and organizations, will remain vital to the Mechanism going forward, given its unique mandate to be an efficient and temporary institution whose size and functions are to diminish over time. In that respect, I am pleased to report that, several weeks ago, President Joensen of the ICTR, Prosecutor Jallow of the ICTR and the Mechanism, and I, along with representatives of the Registrars of both the ICTR and the Mechanism, visited Kigali, where we held very productive meetings with Government officials. I was also in Sarajevo just last week and hope to return to the region again next year.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“Details concerning the Mechanism's activities in those areas are included in my written report; I wish only to underscore that we are fully engaged with our responsibilities in those areas and making good progress. I mentioned a moment ago the importance of Member States' assistance in relation to apprehending the remaining fugitives who are expected to be tried before the Mechanism. In truth, the Mechanism depends on the cooperation of the international community in all that it does, and it particularly depends on the cooperation of the affected States, including both Rwanda and the States of the former Yugoslavia.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“Although we do not know when the remaining three fugitives who have been indicted by the ICTR and are expected to be tried by the Mechanism will be arrested or will surrender, I profoundly hope that it will be soon, and I call upon the members of the Council and the Member States of the United Nations to do all in their power to make that hope a reality. The Mechanism, of course, is responsible for many other functions besides judicial work, including ensuring the monitoring of cases referred to national jurisdictions; providing protective services to witnesses and victims; enforcing sentences of those convicted by either the ICTY or the ICTR; responding to requests for assistance from national jurisdictions; and managing the archives of both the ICTY and the ICTR.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“The one appeal from judgement filed thus far, in the Ngirabatware case, is forecast to be completed by the end of 2014. In the meantime, my fellow Judges and I continue to address a variety of other judicial matters, ranging from requests for variation of protective measures to motions concerning contempt allegations. The Mechanism is also expected to hear appeals, if any, in the Seselj", Karadeie, Hadeie and Mladie cases and must remain ready to address any additional judicial matters that may come before it, such as requests for review of judgements or orders for retrial.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“As the Mechanism moves forward in its second year, it is now operating on two continents and has inherited work from two related but distinct tribunals: the ICTY and the ICTR. There are many challenges that come in the early years of any new institution, and that makes the work both exciting and rewarding. The Mechanism is fortunate in that, in its formative stages, it can learn from and build on the best practices of our predecessors, as well as draw upon the talents and expertise of colleagues at the ICTY and the ICTR. Our progress thus far is the result of a truly collaborative undertaking. As the members of the Council are aware, the Mechanism's mandate encompasses both judicial work and certain other essential functions.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“In my View, that kind of dialogue is a necessary complement to the Tribunal's work and essential to peace and reconciliation in the former Yugoslavia. I would now like to turn to the work of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. Following the opening of the Mechanism's Hague branch on 1 July 2013, the institution is now fully formed. I am tremendously grateful to the Mechanism's Prosecutor, Mr. Hassan Bubacar Jallow, the Registrar, Mr. John Hocking, the Mechanism staff, and the principals and staff of both the ICTY and the ICTR for all that they have done to ensure a smooth launch of the Hague branch, as they previously did for the launch of the Arusha branch. I am equally grateful for all that they continue to do to ensure the Mechanism's efficient and effective functioning.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“Instead, the international community needs to support additional, complementary initiatives that provide for reconciliation through dialogue and restitution. In particular, I would like to urge Member States to support efforts to provide reparations and support for Victims of the wars in the former Yugoslavia. Many of those victims continue to face serious challenges relating to injuries they suffered during wartime. More broadly, I was particularly encouraged by the conversations that I took part in during a meeting held at the Prijedor area. Local representatives of victims' associations from various communities undertook a dialogue that was both constructive and forward-looking. In the coming months, I hope to explore the possibility of encouraging similar local-level initiatives.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“Indeed, extensions that correspond to the lengths of the judicial proceedings in which the judges are engaged will bolster the Tribunal and also reduce the demands on the Security Council's valuable time. I am grateful for the Council's consideration of my requests. Before concluding my report on the ICTY, I would like to share certain reflections based on my visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina last week. I held meetings with victims from various communities and participated in a conference marking the twentieth anniversary of the Tribunal. Discussions at that conference confirmed the importance of the Tribunal's work in the former Yugoslavia. However, conversations during my visit also underscored for me that the Tribunal's work, important though it is, cannot address all the needs of the region.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“However, especially in a downsizing environment and even as we take the practical steps necessary to ensure the Tribunal's orderly closure, I remain particularly vigilant to ensure that the services necessary to the Tribunal's functioning are retained long enough to ensure that trials and appeals are completed in accordance with the schedule previously forecast. In that connection, I would like to note that the terms of office of all ICTY judges expire at the end of this month and Security Council action is needed. My requests of 30 October and 19 November asked that the judges' terms of office be extended through the period in which their last trial or appeal is expected. In making such requests, I was guided by the considerations of efficiency and maximum transparency.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“As I have previously informed the Council, other potential risks to the timely completion of trials and appeals stem from the unique circumstances of the Tribunal, which is located thousands of kilometres from the scene of the alleged crimes, required to translate a myriad of documents into multiple languages and called on to handle volumes of evidence that are almost unheard of in domestic criminal prosecutions. The Tribunal has developed robust systems and processes to address those challenges.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“I remain, as ever, tremendously appreciative of all the hard work and dedication shown on a daily basis by the many talented staff members employed by the Tribunal. I note, however, that staff morale continues to be affected by the knowledge that many staff members' contracts will not be renewed. I have been working with the Tribunal's Registrar and others to take a variety of measures to bolster morale. Staff members nevertheless continue to seek more secure employment elsewhere, and staff departures pose additional challenges as we strive to maintain the previously forecast judgement delivery dates.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“I note, however, that several of the delays that I have reported and our inability to complete all ICTY judicial work by the end of 2014 are directly attributable to factors outside the case management process and reflect the inherent uncertainty in predicting the time needed to complete judgements in highly complex cases, as well as previous uncertainties as to which cases would transition to the Mechanism on appeal. Looking forward, the Tribunal is making every effort to ensure that the forecast completion dates for cases remain on schedule. In particular, the Tribunal's Chambers are coordinating closely with the Registry to ensure that the significant reductions in personnel do not adversely impact our ability to complete trials and appeals in an efficient and fair manner.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“In addition, the judgements in two appeal cases - Tolirnir and Stanisie and Zupljanin - are forecast to be delivered in the first few months of 2015. Finally, the multi-accused case of Prlie et al. is expected to be completed in mid-2017. I note that in the latter case, the trial judgement was rendered only in late May and is very voluminous, numbering approximately 2,500 judgement-size pages or more than 4,000 pages in the United Nations format. The case also involves a large number of appellants and expected appellants. Those factors contribute to the comparatively late forecast delivery date for the appeal judgement. I am of course so sorry that certain cases have been delayed and that we will not be able to complete all ICTY judicial work by 31 December 2014.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“The panel of judges appointed to consider the issue upheld the application by a majority and another judge was subsequently appointed to the trial bench. That newly appointed judge is currently familiarizing himself with the trial record and reviewing related documents. Once he completes that process, the trial bench will be in a position to decide on the next steps in the case. I will of course provide more information about the case in my next completion strategy report. As set out in my report, almost all ICTY cases will have been completed by 31 December 2014. Of the six cases that will not be concluded by then, half involve the trials of the late-arrested accused Mr. Karadzie, Mr. Hadzie and Mr. Mladic'.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“The delay in that case is attributable to the Appeals Chamber's rule 98 bisjudgement delivered in July ofthis year. In that judgement, the Appeals Chamber reversed the Trial Chamber's decision to acquit Mr. Karadzie on count 1 of the indictment against him and directed the Trial Chamber to determine Mr. Karadzie's relevant culpability after hearing defence evidence. Following the Appeals Chamber's ruling, the Trial Chamber determined that an additional three months were necessary for further preparation and presentation by the defence. Finally, the conclusion of the trial in the Seselj case has also been delayed. The Trial Chamber in that case had previously issued an order scheduling the delivery of the judgement on 30 October. However, in July, the accused filed an application for the disqualification of one of the judges in his trial.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“The Mladie trial is likewise proceeding apace and is expected to conclude by mid-2016, as previously forecast. The delays in three of the remaining four cases are of a very limited nature. The delivery of two appeal judgements in the multi-accused case of Sainovic' et al. and in the case of Bordevie has been delayed by one month. The appealjudgements in those cases, originally forecast for December 2013, are now scheduled to be delivered on 23 and 27 January 2014, respectively. Those short delays have been the result of various factors, including the complexity of the cases and the heavy workload of the judges involved. The Karadeie trial judgement, originally planned for July 2015, is now forecast to be delivered in October 2015.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“Since my last completion strategy report (S/2013/308), the Tribunal has rendered five judgements. In the Trial Chambers, judgements were rendered in the cases of Prlic' et al. and Stanisie and Simatovic'. In addition, the Appeals Chamber renderd a judgement in the rule 98 his appeal in the Karadeic' case. Finally, one contempt trial judgement and one contempt appeal judgement were also rendered. The forecast judgement delivery dates remain unchanged in seven of the Tribunal's 11 remaining cases. In particular, the forecasts for the delivery of the appeal judgements in the cases of Popovie et al,, Stanifiie and Simatovic', Tolimir, Stanisic' and Zupljanin and Prlic' et al. have not changed. The Hadeic' trial also remains on track and is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source
“Before doing so, however, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again to the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals. In particular, I would like to recognize the exceptional leadership of Guatemala over these past two years. Guatemala's support for the Tribunals and for the Mechanism during this critical period of transition has been sustained, constructive and truly appreciated. I would also like to recognize the continuing support and assistance provided to the ICTY and the Mechanism by the Office of the Legal Counsel. Allow me to first update the Council on the progress being made by the ICTY towards the completion of its mandate and its closure. The Tribunal has continued to make progress in completing the final cases before it.”
2013-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7073 (2013) · source