Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, on threats to international peace and security - December 4th, 2023

Mister President,

I thank the Special Advisor and head of UNITAD, Mr. Christian Ritscher, for his briefing. And I welcome the Iraqi delegation to this meeting.

The eleventh report on the activities of UNITAD comes at a critical juncture. We are less than a year away from the expiration of UNITAD’s latest, and possibly final, mandated term.

The decision by the Council, last September, to extend UNITAD’s mandate “for one year only”, six years after resolution 2379 determined its creation, responded to several concerns indicated by Iraq in its 5 September letter to the Council.

The latest mandate renewal acknowledged the need to advance decisively and expeditiously towards the completion of UNITAD’s core task: to support accountability efforts before Iraqi tribunals. Those tribunals, as well as the people and the government of Iraq, continue to be the primary intended beneficiaries of UNITAD’s investigative work.

Some of the alleged difficulties in accomplishing that goal, within the allotted time frame, could unduly imply that UNITAD’s role is to supervise and constrain, rather than support, trials in Iraq. Therefore, in the development of a roadmap for the completion of UNITAD’s mandate, expected by March next year, it will be essential to consider that the holding of criminal proceedings in Iraq will, surely, build upon and outlive UNITAD’s contribution to future trials in the country. The gist of that contribution remains the collection and sharing of evidence of Dae’sh crimes with Iraqi authorities.

Likewise, Brazil trusts that the upcoming Secretary-General’s recommendations on evidence-sharing with the Government of Iraq will also maximize UNITAD’s chances to deliver and exhaust its core mandate, as determined by the Council, by September 2024.

Bearing in mind the basis on which UNITAD’s mandate rests, progress in this direction would strengthen the existing partnership with the host country and, eventually, indicate the importance of continued collaboration with Iraq, based on consent, should all parties converge in this direction.

Mister President,

The timely determination of modalities for UNITAD’s sharing of evidence with third States, with the approval of the Government of Iraq, bodes well for the goal of holding Da’esh members accountable, including those who fled the country. This should be done in a manner that respects Iraqi sovereignty and jurisdiction over crimes committed in its territory and against its citizens.

Brazil commends the government of Iraq for its constructive engagement with UNITAD and third States aimed at enabling the prosecution of suspected criminals abroad who are otherwise subject to the primary or dominant jurisdiction of Iraq.

Finally, we acknowledge UNITAD’s contribution to strengthening the capacity of Iraqi institutions responsible for the administration of Justice in the country, as part of efforts to promote accountability for Dae’sh crimes. Following the completion of UNITAD’s mandate, capacity-building initiatives tailored to local needs could continue to be provided and pursued bilaterally, upon the request of Iraq, by interested countries, including those who currently offer extrabudgetary funds to UNITAD for this purpose.

Thank you.