The President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, was honoured to meet yesterday with the President of the 80th session of the General Assembly, Her Excellency Ms. Annalena Baerbock of the Federal Republic of Germany, at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
President Gatti Santana commenced by congratulating President Baerbock on her election as President of the General Assembly, welcoming Her Excellency’s focus on the importance of keeping justice and accountability among the priorities of the Assembly and her recognition that international law is essential for peace.
Next, President Gatti Santana shared an overview of the Mechanism’s current activities and priorities, as well as the challenges it faces as a downsizing institution that remains entrusted with a vital mandate which has legacy and human rights implications. She highlighted the Mechanism’s efforts to increase efficiencies, streamline operations and reduce costs, and the critical importance of support for its 2026 budget to allow for the fair and efficient drawdown of its functions. In this context, President Gatti Santana emphasised that the justice cycle that commenced more than 30 years ago with the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda must be concluded in a responsible manner.
President Baerbock in turn thanked President Gatti Santana for the detailed update and conveyed her full support for the work of the Mechanism. Her Excellency commended the valuable contributions made by the Mechanism and its predecessor Tribunals to international accountability, acknowledging the challenges facing the Mechanism during this unique phase in its lifespan. She expressed hope that the Mechanism will receive the support needed to ensure a principled completion or transfer of its mandated functions.
President Gatti Santana today concludes her mission to New York, during which she presented the thirteenth annual report of the Mechanism to the General Assembly and held bilateral meetings with representatives of Member States, as well as high-level officials of the United Nations.
