Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Madam President.
Let me begin by thanking President Gatti Santana and Prosecutor Brammertz for their informative briefings.
I also welcome the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Rwanda as well as other national representatives to today’s debate.
Madam President,
The IRMCT and its predecessor tribunals are cornerstone institutions of modern international criminal justice, essential to ending impunity for atrocity crimes. The accountability they have delivered remains important to this day.
We also note, however, that the long-term consequences of these conflicts remain starkly visible and continue to reverberate in this Council today.
This is precisely why these institutions matter.
Accountability does not end with the delivery of a judgment. It helps establish the facts, uphold justice, and create the conditions for lasting peace and reconciliation.
Madam President,
Denmark welcomes the progress made in the Mechanism’s important mandated functions despite challenging circumstances.
The Mechanism’s extensive activities during the reporting period are testament to the continued importance of its prosecutorial role in supporting national jurisdictions as well as its judicial and archiving functions. We agree with the Mechanism that these functions remain essential to the fair and just conclusion of the international justice cycle.
Similarly, we share the view that a responsible and orderly transition is needed in order to safeguard the legacy of the Mechanism and its predecessor tribunals and ensure a successful transfer into the national transitional justice processes. With regards to the location of archives, we agree with the considerations set forth by the Secretary General.
Secondly, Madam President, Denmark welcomes the Mechanism’s strategic plan reflecting the principals’ unified vision for its future. The plan represents a solid basis for continuing the Mechanism in a substantially reduced form in line with the Council’s vision of a small, temporary and efficient institution. We are pleased to note that it contains detailed timelines for the completion and transfer of the majority of the residual functions. And we also welcome its recommendations for considerable streamlining, including through organisational restructure, physical consolidation and personnel optimisation. Denmark looks forward to continuing discussing the recommendations in the strategic plan with Council members in the context of the ongoing review of the Mechanism.
My third point, Madam President,
We urge all States to promptly and fully cooperate with the Mechanism in line with their international obligations – in particular the transfer of suspects subject to arrest warrants. This remains essential for the Mechanism’s ability to fulfil its mandate, conclude its operations and ensure justice for victims. This includes notably the transfer of Mr. Kayishema to the Mechanism’s custody so that he can be transferred to Rwanda for trial.
Madam President, in closing,
I wish to once again reaffirm Denmark’s steadfast support for the work of the Mechanism and for the pursuit of international criminal justice. Our commitment to supporting the Council’s efforts to combat impunity wherever it exists remains unwavering. We look forward to working with all Council members to this end.
I thank you.
