Statement by Mr. NAGANO Shunsuke, Counsellor/Legal Advisor, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, at the seventy-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly

 
Mr. President,
 
Japan appreciates the briefing by President Santana of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), and welcomes the Mechanism’s progress over the past year.

We 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.

Japan welcomes the adoption of Security Council resolution 2740 in June this year, which extended the mandate of the Mechanism.
 
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 the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda (ICTR) and the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

This achievement would not have been possible without the tenacity and expertise of the fugitive tracking team.

We would like to express our sincere respect for their dedication and professionalism.

We also recognize that the excellent cooperation of the States involved played an important role in achieving this outcome. Our utmost gratitude is extended to them as well.
 
Mr. President,
 
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.

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 “Framework of Operations to Complete Functions” issued by the Mechanism in April this year, and welcome the higher efficiency achieved through cross-organizational efforts.

Japan expresses its appreciation to President Santana for her leadership and promotion of good governance in the Mechanism, closely working with all key stakeholders.
 
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.

Our support for the role and mission of the Mechanism will not change.

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.