Statement delivered by Ambassador Trishala Persaud, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the United Nations at the United Nations Security Council debate on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals

President,

I thank the President of the Mechanism, Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, and Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz for their briefings and welcome the participation of the representatives of Serbia, Rwanda and Bosnia and Herzegovina in today’s meeting.

At the outset, I reiterate Guyana’s support for the work of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in carrying out essential residual functions of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

Cognizant that the Mechanism only became fully residual in 2023 and of the continuing magnitude of its functions, we acknowledge the efforts of the Mechanism to reduce its operations, increase efficiency, and to implement resolution 2740, adopted by the Council in June of this year.

In this regard, we recognize as part of efforts to reduce the Mechanism’s operational footprint the closure of the Kigali field office and the handover to the Government of Rwanda of the medical services and psychosocial support previously provided to victims and witnesses by the Kigali field office.

President,

Cooperation and support by all States is crucial for the work of the Mechanism. It is concerning that the matter of the relocation of the acquitted and released persons from Arusha to Niger in December 2021 remains unresolved after almost three years. We acknowledge the persistent efforts of the Mechanism to find a solution to this issue.

We are also concerned that the arrest and transfer of the accused in the Jolic and Radeta Case is still pending. Guyana encourages States to cooperate and render all necessary assistance to the Mechanism in accordance with their obligations under resolution 2637 (2022).

Guyana commends the Mechanism’s continued efforts to respond to requests for assistance from national jurisdictions during the reporting period pursuant to article 28(3) of the Statute.

President,

The recommendations of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) are important to ensuring responsible administration of resources, accountability, and transparency.

We note the four recommendations made by OIOS in the report and acknowledge the indication by the Mechanism that the first recommendation has been addressed. We encourage continued implementation of the recommendations and look forward to the biennial review report in this regard.

We also look forward to the report of the Secretary-General, which is to be presented in 2025, on the administrative and budgetary considerations relating to managing the archives and recommendations for transferring functions from Mechanism. This will be helpful to the Council in future consideration of these issues.

President,

In closing, Guyana reaffirms its full support for the work of the Mechanism and commends its continued efforts to fulfill its mandate.

I thank you.