The Hague, 13 October 2000
SB/P.I.S./535-e

The Judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) continued their 22nd Plenary Session on 13 October 2000 in The Hague.

Following the first meeting of the Judges of the ICTY and the Judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Ascot, Great Britain, between 29 September and 1 October 2000, the Judges held part of the Plenary in closed session to explore the enhancement of the work of the Tribunal as a whole and, in particular, further measures that could be taken to speed up trial proceedings.

In addition, the Judges discussed outstanding issues relating to the assignment of Defence Counsel to indigent accused and reached an agreement on the Defence Counsel Remuneration Scheme, subject to final amendments.

Finally, following a meeting between the President of the Tribunal, Judge Claude Jorda, and the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch, on 4 October 2000 (see Press Release 531), the Judges looked at various issues concerning the situation in the Balkans, including the opportunity for the Tribunal to adopt a position on the possible creation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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