Congress MP Manish Tiwari on Wednesday reaffirmed India's support for the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) at a plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, stating that the body's continued operation is vital to ensuring accountability for genocide and war crimes committed in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.

What India Said at the UN

'India underscores the importance of the mechanism continuing residual functions, including the protection of victims and witnesses, assistance to national jurisdictions, and the preservation and management of the tribunal's archives,' Tiwari said. He added that 'these functions remain essential to safeguarding the legacy of the ad hoc tribunals and ensuring continued accountability.'

Tiwari also emphasised that fulfilling the IRMCT's mandate must be guided by 'the principles of justice, impartiality, fairness and due process, upholding the interests of justice and protecting the rights of victims.'

What the IRMCT Is and Why It Exists

The IRMCT was established by the UN Security Council in 2010 to absorb the unfinished work of two landmark ad hoc tribunals — the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The Rwanda tribunal tried individuals responsible for the genocide of approximately 800,000 Tutsis and some moderate Hutus, carried out by Hutu extremists who controlled the Rwandan government. The Yugoslav tribunal addressed war crimes committed during the conflicts that accompanied the dissolution of Yugoslavia.

Notably, the ICTY held 111 trials and convicted 90 persons, one of whom still has an appeal pending before the IRMCT. The ICTR indicted 86 persons in connection with the Rwandan genocide, and the IRMCT itself went on to convict 61 people after taking over select cases from the predecessor tribunal.

India's Call for an Orderly Transition

While backing the mechanism's ongoing work, India also called for a structured wind-down. As the IRMCT 'moves towards completing its mandate,' Tiwari said India 'emphasise[s] the need for an efficient, orderly and time-bound transition without compromising judicial independence or the effective discharge of its remaining responsibilities.'

This position reflects a nuanced diplomatic stance — affirming multilateral accountability frameworks while simultaneously nudging them toward conclusion, consistent with India's broader approach to UN institutional reform.

Broader Context and Significance

India's statement comes as debates over international criminal justice have intensified globally, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) facing scrutiny over its scope and enforcement capacity. India's endorsement of the IRMCT signals continued support for rule-based accountability mechanisms, even as New Delhi has historically maintained reservations about the ICC itself. This comes amid a wider global conversation about how international institutions can balance timely closure with lasting justice for victims of mass atrocities.