The Security Council extended the terms of judges serving on the United Nations tribunal created to try perpetrators of the worst crimes committed during conflicts in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s to ensure that the court is adequately staffed to complete its work. In a unanimous resolution, the Council decided to extend the terms of office of eight permanent judges at the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) who are members of the trial chambers until 31 December 2012 or until the completion of the cases to which they are assigned. The terms of nine ad litem judges – who are limited to particular cases – were also extended until 31 December 2012 or until the completion of the cases to which they are assigned. (From UN News Centre Sources) Delaying Departure of ICTY Staff The Council “reiterates the importance of the International Tribunal being adequately staffed to complete its work expeditiously and calls upon relevant United Nations bodies to intensify cooperation with the Secretariat and the Registrar of the International Tribunal and to take a flexible approach in order to find practicable solutions to address this issue as the International Tribunal approaches the completion of its work, and at the same time calls upon the International Tribunal to renew its efforts to focus on its core functions,” said the resolution. (This provision refers to UN and other institutions who have already offered positions or are considering to do so to existing staff of the ICTY. Many staff members are committed to a career in international justice/relations and are seeking positions with the International Criminal Court or other UN/international institutions.) Outstanding Arrest Warrants It called on all States, especially those that emerged from the collapse of the former Yugoslavia, to intensify cooperation with and to render all necessary assistance to ICTY, particularly in the arrest of Goran Hadžic, a key war crimes suspect who remains at large. Completing Sentences The Council commended States that have concluded agreements for the enforcement of sentences of those convicted by ICTY or have otherwise accepted such convicts to serve their sentences in their territories, and urged countries to renew their commitment to the enforcement of sentences and to positively consider requests from the tribunal in this regard. It also urged States that have not concluded agreements for the enforcement of sentences of ICTY convicts to consider entering into such pacts. Will ICTY Be Able to Complete Last Prosecutions The above provisions and resolution are worthwhile, but still I’m not certain it will be enough. Current ICTY will continue to seek the next point in their career, or at least be distracted by the search. It may become necessary to enter into further cooperative arrangements, such as the ICC, for the ICTY to complete its mandate. Now, there is a rush, which may neither be healthy for justice or the health of the ICTY for its remaining life. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us – DiplomaticallyX More Related Reports at “War Crimes Justice Channel” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice