Title
As Debate Concludes, Many Delegations Stress International Criminal Justice System Cannot Replace National Mechanisms in Building True Reconciliation (Press Release), GA/11357
Note
A controversial UN General Assembly meeting on "the international criminal justice system" - in the words of the Albanian representative - was designed by the Serbian UN General Assembly President Vuc Jeremic to be an exercise in "ICTY [International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia] bashing." While various states objected and refused to take part in the sessions, many Muslim states took the opportunity to criticize the international criminal justice system - at least as it might be applied to them. In their case, national courts and cultural "sensitivities" came first. These same states are at the forefront of attempts to drag Israel before the ICC. For instance, Egypt said international criminal courts must "avoid politicization & selectivity." Sri Lanka said the "rule of law" means courts must adhere to "religio-cultural background & political sensitivities." Sudan - whose President is currently at large though indicted for genocide by the ICC - said the Court was picking on Africans and "out of step with justice." Iran said "Through internal justice systems, rule of law could better prevail in society." (Stoning is part of the Iranian "justice" system.) Last, but not least, came Syria - whose representative said "there was a need and obligation to extradite individuals who incited violence and promoted discord and strife" - not Assad of course, but the heads of governments of states funding mercenaries operating in Syria. ...The UN's idea of civilized discourse.