Dictate

Statement on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals

Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at UNSC meeting on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals

Thank you Madam President.

I would like to thank Judge Gatti Santana and Prosecutor Brammertz for the detailed progress reports submitted to the Council as well as for their briefings today. I also welcome the representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Rwanda and Serbia to the meeting.

Madam President,

Let me begin by reiterating Slovenia’s continued support for the Mechanism. Despite being in its residual phase, its work remains crucial for the fight against impunity.

The ICTY and the ICTR have been established by this Council, because the Council members understood and agreed on the importance of this fight. Today, thousands of victims and survivors, and their families wait for justice in many conflict and post-conflict situations. States concerned must deliver and the fight against impunity has to continue.

Madam President,

The Mechanism is nearing its completion and has been in truly residual phase for the second year. We welcome all the efforts made by its leadership and the systematic approach to identifying key remaining tasks, downsizing and streamlining Mechanism’s functions while still fulfilling its residual work.

The responsibility now lies with the states to continue the fight against impunity at the national level. We commend all efforts undertaken to deliver justice and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. In this regard, we cannot stress enough how important cooperation among states is. In addition, we note the increasing number of requests for assistance made by states to the Mechanism and the Prosecutor and we welcome the continued support both of them extend to the requesting states.

This residual function needs to continue even after the termination of the Mechanism. That includes ongoing support for regional cooperation, which remains vital for ensuring effective judicial proceedings in the countries of the former Yugoslavia.

The other crucial residual function is the management of the archives. The historic record of what happened, as well as the work and decisions of the Tribunals and the Mechanism, must be preserved and made accessible to future generations – so that history might continue to serve as a teacher and a warning.

We expect the Secretary-General’s reports at the end of this year to adequately address both of these core functions, along with other residual functions that must continue.

Madam President,

I wish I could say that the crimes against humanity, war crimes, aggression and genocide are things of the past. They are not. And because of that, the legacies of both the ad hoc tribunals and the Mechanism are extremely important.

Their legacy stands as a powerful symbol of what international community can achieve when political will aligns with the understanding that justice is essential for reconciliation and lasting peace.

It sends the strongest possible message: that no one is above the law – regardless of their power or position. It is also a symbol, and a sliver of hope for all the victims, everywhere – the hope that we will not forget.

Next month, it will be 30 years since the Srebrenica genocide and we do remember. War crimes and crimes against humanity were committed.  Genocide was committed. Denying it while glorifying criminals is both reprehensible and unacceptable. Nothing can change these facts and nothing can erase this history.

We will not forget. And for that, we owe a deep gratitude to the Mechanism, to the ICTY, and the ICTR.

I thank you.

Recent Statements

Statement on the UN–AU partnership

7 October 2025 – Statement by Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations, Samuel Žbogar, at the UNSC meeting on the cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security

Dictate
Slovenia building trust Logo
I feel SLOVENIA