Transfer of Mechanism’s remaining functions to national institutions must be intensified

The Ministry of Justice announced that at yesterday's session of the United Nations Security Council, dedicated to the consideration of the six-month report on the work of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), Serbia called for the intensification of the process of transferring the Mechanism's remaining functions and for a clearer definition of the timeframe for the completion of its work.

At the session, which also discussed the Sixth Review Report and the Strategic Plan contained in that document, Serbia also called for the consideration of the possibility of improving the system of enforcement of sentences imposed before international criminal courts.

Serbia's statement was presented by Chargé d'Affaires at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the United Nations Ambassador Radomir Ilić, on behalf of Minister of Justice of the Government of Serbia Nenad Vujić, who is also participating in the plenary session of the Venice Commission.

In his address to the Security Council, it was emphasized that Serbia remains firmly committed to international criminal justice, accountability for war crimes and respect for the rule of law, but also that it believes that all goals of international justice must be achieved with full respect for the principles of legal certainty, equality before the law, fair trial and fundamental human rights.

Serbia reiterated its long-standing position that the significantly reduced scope of the Mechanism's remaining activities constitutes the basis for further transfer of its functions to national judicial systems and other appropriate institutions.

Highlight was put on the importance of consistent implementation of international human rights standards, including the right to adequate health care, access to legal assistance and respect for the human dignity of all convicted persons.

Serbia also pointed out the need to carefully consider humanitarian requests based on the serious health condition of convicted persons, mentioning cases in which requests were submitted based solely on medical and humanitarian grounds, including the request concerning General Ratko Mladić.

Serbia also repeated its readiness to, in accordance with the highest international standards and appropriate monitoring mechanisms, take over the enfocement of sentences imposed before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the Mechanism.

International justice will be stronger if it is at the same time fair, efficient and humane. Only in this way can trust in the institutions of international justice and the values ​​on which the United Nations is based be preserved, Serbia concluded in its address to the Security Council.