No Staff to PROSECUTE MLADIC, KARADZIC & HADZIC?

Posted on 12 November 2011 at 11:01

Both ex-Yugoslav and Rwanda Tribunals are greatly impacted by recent departures of experienced staff, according to reports provided by the respective presidents of the 2 courts. According to Judge Patrick Robinson of the ICTY (International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia), loss of ICTY experienced staff has significantly impacted proceedings, placed an onerous burden on the tribunal’s remaining staff, and will place a much heavier financial burden on the international community in the long run. This problem was raised much earlier this summer and is only getting worse: (See Film Report – MLADIC TRIAL – No Resources” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/mladic-trial-no-resources/27239 ) All Persons Indicted Now Apprehended? The ICTY has concluded judicial proceedings with respect to 126 of the 161 indicted. The arrest earlier this year of Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadžic is a “milestone” that brings the tribunal closer to the successful completion of its mandate,” he added. “With the trial of the last two fugitives, all persons indicted by the prosecutor will face the judicial process, and the tribunal will be removing yet another brick in the wall of impunity.” The tribunal is taking all measures possible to expedite its trials, but as it nears the end of its mandate, highly qualified and essential staff continue to leave at “alarming” rates for more secure employment elsewhere, Judge Robinson noted in his address to the Assembly. “The loss of the tribunal’s experienced staff has significantly impacted proceedings, placed an onerous burden on the tribunal’s remaining staff, and will place a much heavier financial burden on the international community in the long run.” Interns & Retired Staff: To address this issue, the tribunal is seeking support for a retention incentive for its long-serving staff members, he said, noting that providing a direct incentive to stay until the actual abolition date of their posts has proven highly effective in other downsizing organizations. Also, with the tribunal reaching the end of its work, it is likely that the rate of staff attrition will accelerate if effective action is not taken, warned the President. To enable it to quickly replace critical staff, the tribunal is requesting a waiver from the regulations that stipulate that interns have to wait six months after the completion of their internships before they can apply for professional posts. I have also noted that some previous-retired staff are returning to the ICTY to provide the critical assistance and experience. RWANDA TRIBUNAL: Staff retention is also a “significant” challenge for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Judge Khalida Rachid Khan told the Assembly as she presented the court’s report. “Many experienced staff members have left for more permanent jobs at other institutions. These departures constitute an important loss of experience and institutional memory… Judge Khan noted that the tribunal, which is based in the Tanzanian city of Arusha, accomplished a great deal in the last year and its work is almost complete. “However, our work is not yet finished and the assistance of the international community is required to ensure that there is no impunity gap,” Judge Khan stressed. Outstanding Work & FUGITIVES: The tribunal’s trial work is due to be finished by the end of the second quarter of 2012 and appeals work is to be finished by early 2014, she said. Critical to the tribunal’s work is the cooperation of States in apprehending the nine remaining fugitives, including three of the most high-ranking accused – Félicien Kabuga, Protais Mpiranya and Augustin Bizimana. “We call upon all States, especially the States of the Great Lakes region, and in particular Kenya, to intensify their cooperation with the tribunal and to render all necessary assistance so that the remaining fugitives can be arrested. These fugitives, who are accused of the most terrible crimes, must be arrested to send a strong message to the world that evading justice in not an option.” (See Film Report – “Rwanda Genocide Remembered” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/rwanda-genocide-remembered-april-5-sarajevo-siege-begins/26034 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX “Srebrenica Genocide” Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/the-genocide-of-srebrenica

No Staff to PROSECUTE MLADIC, KARADZIC & HADZIC?

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