Explanation of vote by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar on a draft resolution on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT)
Thank you very much, Mr. President,
Slovenia voted in favor of the resolution on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) extending its mandate for another 2 years. We would like to thank Sierra Leone for the efforts put in this resolution.
The Residual Mechanism is moving closer to its completion; however fight against impunity does not have to end. The Mechanism and both its predecessors the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) have proved that nobody is above the law and that the perpetrators will be held accountable no matter how long it takes. This legacy must be preserved also after the completion of the Mechanism.
The archives must be preserved and properly managed. Any new attempt of genocide denial, any new attempt of glorification of war criminals shows how important this is. The documentation, the knowledge and the expertise that was acquired must be preserved and used to support national jurisdictions.
That is why we have originally proposed the establishment of a permanent center in the UN system that would preserve and manage the information and evidence of the Mechanism, as well as other existing and future UN entities. We believe this is still an important element to consider when preparing the reports of the Secretary General, provided for in the resolution.
Mr. President,
The Mechanism, ICTY and ICTR are proof of what international community, this Council, can achieve when we stand united in the fight against impunity and when we are faced with the most atrocious international crimes, which by default are threats to international peace and security. Only justice can bring along reconciliation. And more than that, the healing of societies. That is the true foundation of peace. Only with such strong foundation, the atrocious part of the history has little chance of repeating itself.
Thank you.
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