Global Policy Forum

Twenty-six new judges were elected today following the first round of voting; the remaining judge was elected this afternoon after three more rounds of voting. Their mandate begins immediately.

The Security Council decided last November to create the pool of ad hoc, or ad litem, judges, to serve four-year terms, thereby amending the court's Statute in a number of relevant articles. In its resolution 1329 (2000) of 30 November, the Council requested the Secretary-General to make practical arrangements for the election, as soon as possible, of 27 ad litem judges. On 27 April, the Council submitted a list of 64 candidates, taking into account the adequate representation of the principal legal systems of the world and bearing in mind the importance of equitable geographical distribution…

Statements

JORGE EDUARDO NAVARRETE (Mexico) said that on all the other occasions when the Assembly had elected judges to the special International Tribunals, his delegation had been present to explain the reasons it had not participated. On all those occasions, Mexico, while committed to the promotion of humanitarian law, had expressed its opinion that in establishing such tribunals, the Security Council had exceeded the scope of its powers, inasmuch as an explicit provision giving the Council the power to create extra-judicial bodies was not evident in the Charter.

Those reasons remained valid, he added, but Mexico had recognized the contributions the Tribunals had made in the fight against impunity, bringing justice to those responsible for serious crimes of international relevance. The special International Tribunals had played a central role in the implementation of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of the Geneva Conventions. For those reasons, as of now Mexico would fully participate in the election of Tribunal judges, placing the work of those jurisdictional mechanisms above its reservations. The Assembly's decisions now and into the future would hopefully ensure that Tribunal membership would reflect the broadest possible regional and gender diversity.

RENATO RAFFAELE MARTINO, Permanent Observer of the Holy See, said the Tribunal was an instrument of the international community to express its condemnation of violations of international humanitarian law. While the Holy See appreciated the fact that it was invited to participate in the election of judges, according to the practices in similar cases and for the sake of impartiality, it had decided to abstain from casting its vote on the individual candidates.

He renewed his expression of confidence in the choices that would be made, and extended his sincere best wishes to the judges who would soon be elected to serve the cause of justice and peace.

MARC NTETURUYE (Burundi) withdrew two of his country's three candidates. Now, only one candidate would be presented: Leopold Ntahompagaze (Burundi)…

The final ad litem judge, Ms. Vonimbolana Rasoazanany (Madagascar), was elected at the conclusion of the fourth round of voting, with 120 votes.