NEW YORK CITY — The Security Council convened on June 12, 2026, to discuss the future of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. The Security Council established the Mechanism in 2010 to complete the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia following their closures.

Mechanism President Graciela Gatti Santana said, "The body had effectively executed its mandate, and only limited but still essential work remains following the referral of one of its final contempt cases to a national jurisdiction." Santana said, "The future of the United Nations responsibility towards those within its duty of care and indeed the future of international criminal justice now stand before the Council." She proposed a strategic plan that included transferring assistance to national jurisdictions and managing archives through the UN Secretariat. Santana suggested reducing the Mechanism's staffing resources by approximately 90 percent. She further argued that international oversight must continue for prisoner transfers, witness protection, and the monitoring of referred cases. Santana said, "Durable justice does not conform to clear or finite timelines."

Mechanism Prosecutor Serge Brammertz advocated for transferring non-judicial functions to the Secretariat while retaining international oversight of convicted persons serving sentences. He emphasized the ongoing relevance of addressing genocide denial and the glorification of war criminals during his address. Brammertz said, "The horrific atrocities in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia were not random outbreaks of violence."

Tanzania, which hosted the Rwanda tribunal for two decades, maintained that the archives are stored in a neutral location with modern infrastructure and broad accessibility. Serbia offered to preserve relevant materials from the former Yugoslavia tribunal archives. Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina emphasized the importance of accessibility for the former Yugoslavia tribunal archives and questioned the political commitment to transparency.

Security Council delegations agreed that the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals was not designed as a permanent institution. Representatives from Greece, Pakistan, and Somalia supported maintaining a reduced, temporary, and efficient operational structure. The United States Representative said, "The Council now faces important decisions to ensure a responsible and expeditious conclusion of the Mechanism's work."