At the close of the reporting period, the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia remained seized of three appeals and was continuing four trials of senior political and military figures. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda is seized of its final appeal and is scheduled for formal closure at the end of 2015. The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which continues the essential functions of the ad hoc tribunals and maintains their legacy, delivered its first appeal judgement in December
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, in August 2014, convicted two Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity, although further proceedings continue. The international co-investigating judge issued charges against three individuals. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon continued the trial in absentia of five accused with respect to the attack against Rafiq Hariri and began the first of two contempt trials against commercial media entities.
During the reporting period, the United Nations celebrated the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of its Relationship Agreement with the International Criminal Court. The United Nations has continued to promote accountability for serious crimes of international concern and to advocate universal ratification of the Rome Statute. The Court upheld the conviction of Thomas Lubanga in December and in March the Appeals Chamber established the principles and procedures for reparations for his victims. The Prosecutor opened a preliminary examination into the situation in Palestine, and opened a second investigation into the situation in the Central African Republic, marking the ninth situation before the Court.
War crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and other gross violations of human rights undermine the very foundations of the rule of law at both the international and national levels. While the International Criminal Court was established to investigate and prosecute those crimes, the primary responsibility rests with the Member States. For that reason, we continue to accord high priority to activities in support of strengthening national capacity to combat impunity for those crimes, in line with international law.
The authorities of the Central African Republic adopted a law establishing a national special criminal court to address serious crimes, including serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic will continue to provide support to the national authorities in connection with the establishment and operationalization of the court. I have developed options addressing accountability and transitional justice in respect of the international crimes committed in South Sudan.
The Organization has continued to support the efforts of Member States to strengthen the legal regime for oceans, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and its implementing agreements. The implementation of those instruments contributes to sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development and environmental protection. Oceans have featured prominently in the work of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals. The Organization has also continued to strengthen inter-agency coordination and the coherence of United Nations system activities related to ocean and coastal areas, in particular through UN-Oceans.