NEW YORK -- Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin has said that international tribunals were an important element in establishing justice.
Source: Tanjug
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Russia, as one of the founders of the Nuremberg court, has supported the mechanisms of international justice since the beginning, he underscored.
Russia agrees that criminal courts and reconciliation have to go hand in hand, but it cannot accept the principle of retribution at all cost, Churkin stated during the public debate on international criminal tribunals and their role in reconciliation.
Regardless of the difficulties, Russia believes that finding out facts and bringing culprits to justice can help normalization and reconciliation, but only if the trials are unbiased and free of politics, he pointed out.
There are positive and negative examples concerning the work of ad hoc tribunals so far, and the ICTY is definitely a negative example, he noted.
Churkin backed his argument by citing long trials, with some of the indictees dying before they were over, the unacceptably long incarceration of Vojislav Seselj and the recent processes that led to the release of Croatian general Ante Gotovina and Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander Ramush Haradinaj - both accused of war crimes committed against Serbs.
The ease with which the originally unanimous verdict against Gotovina and Mladen Markač was overturned with a vote of 3-2 is stunning, as the case that involved mass killings and deportation of Serbs had been investigated for years prior to the trial, said the Russian official.
Russia doubts the decision was made on legal basis, he stated, stressing that cases like that do not satisfy justice because it was not determined who was to blame for the crimes.
A similar thing happened with the Haradinaj case, where witnesses were intimidated and even killed in an atmosphere of impunity in Kosovo and in the presence of international forces, he pointed out.
As in Gotovina's case, the killings and tortures were plain to see, but no one was pronounced guilty, he said, and added:
"It is therefore a legitimate question whether such a court that focuses on creating a burden of guilt solely within one people and washing away the blame caused by criminals on the other side can help reconciliation in the Western Balkans."
It is obvious it cannot, Churkin concluded, adding that things had gone so far that it seemed the ICTY was incapable of dealing with its own organizational and procedural crisis.
The Security Council then has to take steps to lead the ICTY out of the dead end it is now in, he said.
"Fortunately, today's international justice is not limited to the ICTY," the Russian diplomat remarked and expressed support for the International Criminal Court.
"EU strongly supports international justice"
EU Head of Delegation to the UN Thomas-Mayr Harting voiced strong support for international criminal justice, because it contributes to reconciliation and peacekeeping, at the same time rehabilitating the victims of mass crimes.
Those who committed horrible crimes have to know they will be called to account, Harting said at a debate on the work of international criminal courts held at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday.
Responsibility and full cooperation with the International Criminal Court are principles to which all EU member states are fully committed, Harting said.
"We expect the same commitment from all those who want to join the EU family," he added.
The head of the EU delegation said that the Security Council has enhanced the UN's role in international justice by establishing two ad hoc tribunals - for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda - which have ensured significant progress in the development and implementation of international criminal jurisdiction and laws.
"We honor their achievements and the fight against impunity," Harting stressed.
He also said he supports the Security Council's call for cooperation with international criminal courts, adding that this would contribute to progress in the process of reconciliation.
"Funny how the same logic that freed Gotovina and Markac was used to free Peresic.But you didnt mention that - i mean why should you, it woud obviouslly prove your argument is without basis."
Okay, give me your logic according which you claim that when Churkin didn't mention the freeing of Peresic this proved that his argument has no basis. And which argument by Churkin? That many Serbs think that crimes against them aren't punished, that Serbs see they are treated differently by ICTY?
First. Freeing of Peresic, no matter was it wrong or right decision, has nothing to do with issue of Serbs thinking that crimes against them aren't punished. Peresic wasn't charged for crimes against Serbs.
Second. Reasons for Serbs seeing that crimes against them are treated differently than crimes committed by them aren't based on Peresic case -but on cases like Naser Orić. Freeing of Peresic can't function as a compensation -as there can't be a compensation in the issue.
What does Matti Raatikainen, the Finnish chief investigator of the war crimes unit at EULEX, say about difficulties to prosecute Kosovo Albanians?
“We have had difficulties in cases where KLA fighters are involved, we have found evidence but it's difficult to convince witnesses to take the stand openly. At the same time, there are always protests when we press charges against ex-members of the KLA."
(Olli, 12 April 2013 01:34)
Dear Mr Churkin,
as with everything fantically one sided when Serbs want to scream they are always the vicim of one imaginalry thing or another, and are treated somehow differently, may i remind you of the case of one General Momcilo Peresic.
Funny how the same logic that freed Gotovina and Markac was used to free Peresic.But you didnt mention that - i mean why should you, it woud obviouslly prove your argument is without basis.
But as with all perma victim mentalities world wide - why let a little fact get in the way of a good myth.
Id just like to state a very simple empirIcal fact to help Mr Churkin et al with understandingt the figures resulting from the Hague guilty verdicts:
Most of the war crimes were committed by Serbs - ergo most of the crimanls will be Serbian.
Doesnt matter how hard you scream victim - this is the truth. And all your incomplete arguments, half truths , false myths, lies and propoganda will not change this.
History has been written, and not by Croats , or Kosovars or Bosnians. It has been written and documented by thousands of independant journalsists, humanitarian workers,refugee advocates, witnesses and men and women of good conscience from all around the world who want to see true justice done - and Serb propoganda is not on the agenda.
What part of this do you not understand?
(truthiness, 11 April 2013 21:54)
'Churkin backed his argument by citing long trials, with some of the indictees dying before they were over, the unacceptably long incarceration of Vojislav Seselj and the recent processes that led to the release of Croatian general Ante Gotovina and Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander Ramush Haradinaj - both accused of war crimes committed against Serbs.'
Don't forget the release of Naser Oric, who bragged about mutilating Serbs in the Srebrenica area, and even proudly showed video footage of his war crimes to a western journalist. He's apparently 'innocent' according to these political show trials. The Hague is a complete sham, and no Serb should recognize it. The evidence that it's an anti-Serb farce is overwhelming.
(Dragan, 11 April 2013 17:11)
"Responsibility and full cooperation with the International Criminal Court are principles to which all EU member states are fully committed, Harting said."
We're still waiting for France to hand over Florence Hartmann (which, they said, they won't do)
(Joachim, 11 April 2013 15:59)
'Churkin backed his argument by citing long trials, with some of the indictees dying before they were over, the unacceptably long incarceration of Vojislav Seselj and the recent processes that led to the release of Croatian general Ante Gotovina and Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander Ramush Haradinaj - both accused of war crimes committed against Serbs.'
Don't forget the release of Naser Oric, who bragged about mutilating Serbs in the Srebrenica area, and even proudly showed video footage of his war crimes to a western journalist. He's apparently 'innocent' according to these political show trials. The Hague is a complete sham, and no Serb should recognize it. The evidence that it's an anti-Serb farce is overwhelming.
(Dragan, 11 April 2013 17:11)
"Responsibility and full cooperation with the International Criminal Court are principles to which all EU member states are fully committed, Harting said."
We're still waiting for France to hand over Florence Hartmann (which, they said, they won't do)
(Joachim, 11 April 2013 15:59)
Dear Mr Churkin,
as with everything fantically one sided when Serbs want to scream they are always the vicim of one imaginalry thing or another, and are treated somehow differently, may i remind you of the case of one General Momcilo Peresic.
Funny how the same logic that freed Gotovina and Markac was used to free Peresic.But you didnt mention that - i mean why should you, it woud obviouslly prove your argument is without basis.
But as with all perma victim mentalities world wide - why let a little fact get in the way of a good myth.
Id just like to state a very simple empirIcal fact to help Mr Churkin et al with understandingt the figures resulting from the Hague guilty verdicts:
Most of the war crimes were committed by Serbs - ergo most of the crimanls will be Serbian.
Doesnt matter how hard you scream victim - this is the truth. And all your incomplete arguments, half truths , false myths, lies and propoganda will not change this.
History has been written, and not by Croats , or Kosovars or Bosnians. It has been written and documented by thousands of independant journalsists, humanitarian workers,refugee advocates, witnesses and men and women of good conscience from all around the world who want to see true justice done - and Serb propoganda is not on the agenda.
What part of this do you not understand?
(truthiness, 11 April 2013 21:54)
"Funny how the same logic that freed Gotovina and Markac was used to free Peresic.But you didnt mention that - i mean why should you, it woud obviouslly prove your argument is without basis."
Okay, give me your logic according which you claim that when Churkin didn't mention the freeing of Peresic this proved that his argument has no basis. And which argument by Churkin? That many Serbs think that crimes against them aren't punished, that Serbs see they are treated differently by ICTY?
First. Freeing of Peresic, no matter was it wrong or right decision, has nothing to do with issue of Serbs thinking that crimes against them aren't punished. Peresic wasn't charged for crimes against Serbs.
Second. Reasons for Serbs seeing that crimes against them are treated differently than crimes committed by them aren't based on Peresic case -but on cases like Naser Orić. Freeing of Peresic can't function as a compensation -as there can't be a compensation in the issue.
What does Matti Raatikainen, the Finnish chief investigator of the war crimes unit at EULEX, say about difficulties to prosecute Kosovo Albanians?
“We have had difficulties in cases where KLA fighters are involved, we have found evidence but it's difficult to convince witnesses to take the stand openly. At the same time, there are always protests when we press charges against ex-members of the KLA."
(Olli, 12 April 2013 01:34)
Dear Mr Churkin,
as with everything fantically one sided when Serbs want to scream they are always the vicim of one imaginalry thing or another, and are treated somehow differently, may i remind you of the case of one General Momcilo Peresic.
Funny how the same logic that freed Gotovina and Markac was used to free Peresic.But you didnt mention that - i mean why should you, it woud obviouslly prove your argument is without basis.
But as with all perma victim mentalities world wide - why let a little fact get in the way of a good myth.
Id just like to state a very simple empirIcal fact to help Mr Churkin et al with understandingt the figures resulting from the Hague guilty verdicts:
Most of the war crimes were committed by Serbs - ergo most of the crimanls will be Serbian.
Doesnt matter how hard you scream victim - this is the truth. And all your incomplete arguments, half truths , false myths, lies and propoganda will not change this.
History has been written, and not by Croats , or Kosovars or Bosnians. It has been written and documented by thousands of independant journalsists, humanitarian workers,refugee advocates, witnesses and men and women of good conscience from all around the world who want to see true justice done - and Serb propoganda is not on the agenda.
What part of this do you not understand?
(truthiness, 11 April 2013 21:54)
'Churkin backed his argument by citing long trials, with some of the indictees dying before they were over, the unacceptably long incarceration of Vojislav Seselj and the recent processes that led to the release of Croatian general Ante Gotovina and Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander Ramush Haradinaj - both accused of war crimes committed against Serbs.'
Don't forget the release of Naser Oric, who bragged about mutilating Serbs in the Srebrenica area, and even proudly showed video footage of his war crimes to a western journalist. He's apparently 'innocent' according to these political show trials. The Hague is a complete sham, and no Serb should recognize it. The evidence that it's an anti-Serb farce is overwhelming.
(Dragan, 11 April 2013 17:11)
"Responsibility and full cooperation with the International Criminal Court are principles to which all EU member states are fully committed, Harting said."
We're still waiting for France to hand over Florence Hartmann (which, they said, they won't do)
(Joachim, 11 April 2013 15:59)
"Funny how the same logic that freed Gotovina and Markac was used to free Peresic.But you didnt mention that - i mean why should you, it woud obviouslly prove your argument is without basis."
Okay, give me your logic according which you claim that when Churkin didn't mention the freeing of Peresic this proved that his argument has no basis. And which argument by Churkin? That many Serbs think that crimes against them aren't punished, that Serbs see they are treated differently by ICTY?
First. Freeing of Peresic, no matter was it wrong or right decision, has nothing to do with issue of Serbs thinking that crimes against them aren't punished. Peresic wasn't charged for crimes against Serbs.
Second. Reasons for Serbs seeing that crimes against them are treated differently than crimes committed by them aren't based on Peresic case -but on cases like Naser Orić. Freeing of Peresic can't function as a compensation -as there can't be a compensation in the issue.
What does Matti Raatikainen, the Finnish chief investigator of the war crimes unit at EULEX, say about difficulties to prosecute Kosovo Albanians?
“We have had difficulties in cases where KLA fighters are involved, we have found evidence but it's difficult to convince witnesses to take the stand openly. At the same time, there are always protests when we press charges against ex-members of the KLA."
(Olli, 12 April 2013 01:34)