Yearbook of the United Nations, 2006. Part 4, Legal questions. Chapter 2, International tribunals

Abstract

In 2006, the international tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda worked towards completing their mandates, while the International Criminal Court saw the arrest and indictment of its first accused. The International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991 (ICTY) made significant progress towards accomplishing its mandate by 2010, by conducting multiple accused trials and implementing a number of reforms. In February, the Security Council amended the ICTY Statute, increasing the number of ad litem (short-term) judges from 9 to 12 and allowing for the appointment of reserve ad litem judges for certain trials of multiple accused. In March, the remodelling of the three ICTY courtrooms was completed, allowing for up to 18 accused to be tried simultaneously. However, a number of factors could affect the Court's ability to meet its completion deadline, most notably the status of trials referred to national courts in the former Yugoslavia and the critical issue of six outstanding fugitives. During the year, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Genocide and Other Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda and Rwandan Citizens Responsible for Genocide and Other Such Violations Committed in the Territory of Neighbouring States between 1 January and 31 December 1994 (ICTR) delivered six judgements and commenced four new trials. The Tribunal was on course to complete all ongoing trials by 2008 and all its work by 2010, depending on progress in current and future cases and on the availability of sufficient resources. In order to ensure continuity and ICTR ability to implement its Completion Strategy, the Council, in June, extended the mandates of 11 permanent judges whose terms of office were due to end in May 2007. In August and October, the Council also extended the terms of 18 ad litem judges. The International Criminal Court (ICC), in its third year of operation, began its first proceedings against one accused and continued investigations into situations of concern in three countries.