29 March 2004 

Security Council Requires War Criminals to be Brought to Justice

The Australian Government welcomes the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 1534 on 26 March 2004 reaffirming the need to bring war criminals to justice before the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

Australia strongly supports the completion strategies for the two tribunals which would see them conclude all investigations by the end of 2004, all trials by end of 2008, and all appeals in 2010.

The Government welcomes the determination of both Tribunals to meet these goals, and calls on all States to assist them in doing so.

However, those alleged of committing the most serious crimes and who are still at large should not be allowed to escape international justice. They should not think they can do so simply by waiting out the deadlines set in the completion strategies of the Tribunals.

Four men accused of particularly egregious crimes were named in the resolution. They are Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic and Ante Gotovina in relation to the former Yugoslavia, and Felicien Kabuga in relation to Rwanda.

The Australian Government calls on all States to intensify their efforts to ensure that these four men are captured and surrendered to the Tribunals as soon as possible.

Regardless of when they are captured, and notwithstanding the Tribunals' completion strategies, the Government believes these four men must be tried in the Tribunals.

The Australian Government remains committed to ensuring justice for the victims of the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

Inquiries:  Chris Kenny (Mr Downer’s office) 02 62777 500 - Steve Ingram (Mr Ruddock's office) 02 6277 7300