Thank you Mr.President,
I would like to begin by thanking President Santana and Prosecutor Brammertz for their insightful report and commend their commitment in pursuing international justice and advance accountability for atrocities committed in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.
The Mechanism’s judicial mandate has been fully completed and we recognize the remarkable progress on the mandate entrusted to it by the Security Council. It has not been an easy mission, as it has faced many challenges in answering the quest for justice of victims of the most horrific crimes. We praise the work of the ICTY and the Mechanism and recognize the dedication of the judges and the staff for their immense contributions to the rule of law and the fight against impunity in the former Yugoslavia.
Albania has joined the international community’s enduring commitment to holding those most responsible for atrocity crimes accountable. My country has been a strong supporter of the Mechanism as an international independent judicial body in pursuit of accountability for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes committed in former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
The Mechanism’s ruling on 31 May 2023 sentencing for crimes against humanity two closest allies of the former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, is a milestone development and justice achievement in the Balkans. The justice has taken years to deliver on this long-awaited judgment, but it is never too late to answer the victims’s demands for the acknowledgment of the crimes that they have witnessed and experienced. Their resilience and the courage of many witnesses have helped justice to prevail.
Mr. President,
While the Mechanism has successfully transitioned into the fully residual institution, the effectiveness in conducting its work should rely on cooperation from Member States.
We hope that the Balkans can continue to make progress on cooperation, as victims have waited too long for justice. The best practices and lessons learned by the Mechanism should be reference to the national jurisdictions in our region in the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to the conflicts in former Yugoslavia.
We commend the adoption this year of UNGA resolution in commemorating the victims of Srebrenica. Albania is deeply concerned about the ongoing incitement to violence, distortion of historical facts, glorification of war criminals, as well as the denial of atrocities committed in the Balkan, actions which jeopardize the reconciliation process and the peaceful coexistence in our region.
In this regard, in the region we need to invest more in justice systems, enforce the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as pillars of resilient and just societies.
Allow me to conclude by emphasizing that Albania will continue to work closely with like-minded member states to support the Mechanism for the full accomplishment of its mandate.
I thank you.
