Statement by H.E. Ambassador MIKANAGI Tomohiro, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Debate on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT)

 

 
Thank you, Mr. President.
 
Japan appreciates the informative reports and briefing by President Gatti Santana and Prosecutor Brammertz of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), and welcomes the Mechanism’s progress over the past half year.
 
I reiterate Japan’s strong commitment to promoting the rule of law including the fight against impunity as well as the pursuit of transitional justice, and our unwavering support for the role of the Mechanism in this regard.
 
Mr. President,
 
We welcome the transition of the Mechanism to its truly residual phase, following the conclusion of the last core crimes case and fugitive tracking indicted by ICTR and ICTY.
 
We note that currently, one of the main functions of the Mechanism is providing necessary support to national judicial authorities, which have been grappling with prosecuting and executing sentences for atrocious crimes committed in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.
 
This is a critically important role since an effective, reliable judicial process at the national level is essential to achieving greater justice for the victims of those crimes, thereby strengthening the rule of law and promoting reconciliation in society.
 
Japan expresses its appreciation to Procecutor Brammertz for his leadership and his team for their efforts to provide direct support for domestic judicial authorities prosecuting war crimes committed in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.
 
At the same time, we reiterate the importance of States’ further cooperation regarding the transfer of those who are convicted for the execution of sentences, as well as the treatment of acquitted persons and convicted persons who have completed their sentences.
 
We call on all Member States to provide the Mechanism with necessary assistance on this long-standing issue.
 
Mr. President,
 
While we acknowledge that the Mechanism continues to have an indispensable role, its activities and size should be narrowed over time commensurate with the reduction in its functions.

We take note of the latest “Assessment and progress report” by President Gatti Santana and Prosecutor Brammertz, and welcome the higher efficiency achieved through cross-organizational efforts.
 
Japan expresses its appreciation to President Gatti Santana for her leadership and promotion of good governance in the Mechanism, closely working with all key stakeholders, and for her continuous initiative in preserving the legacy of activities of the Mechanism which will contribute to further promoting the rule of law and not tolerating impunity in the future.
 
Mr. President,
 
Let me express once again our sincere gratitude for the tireless efforts of the judges, prosecutors, and all the staff members of the Mechanism in fulfilling its important mandate, which was entrusted to it by the Security Council.
 
We will always uphold the rule of law and continue to work together with fellow Member States and international judicial institutions including the IRMCT.
 
I thank you, Mr. President.