S.E. M. Vuk Jeremić, President of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
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| S.E. M. Vuk Jeremić, President of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly |
Address at the Opening of the Thematic Debate on the
Role of International Criminal Justice in Reconciliation
New York, 10 April 2013
Mr. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,
Esteemed Heads of State,
Respected Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my distinct privilege to welcome you to the United Nations General Assembly.
Two decades after the establishment of the inaugural UN ad hoc tribunal, and eleven years following the entry into force of the Rome Statute establishing the ICC, we are finally holding our first thematic debate on international criminal justice.
I believe this is an issue of enormous significance for the international community. The number and diversity of countries that will participate in today’s proceedings demonstrates how widespread is the interest in this topic.
It is also an immensely sensitive one, for discussions about international criminal justice often involve considerations of delicate matters like sovereignty or impartiality. But I firmly believe there should be no forbidden subjects in the General Assembly. Where else can all Member States come together, as equals, to exchange views frankly, openly, and inclusively on far-reaching issues?
