Nine nations have publicly refuted the Russian Federation’s assertion that the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) ceased to exist on January 1. In a coordinated diplomatic move, permanent representatives from Bahrain, Colombia, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Panama, the United Kingdom, and the United States issued a joint letter. This diplomatic correspondence, dated March 28, was addressed to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and the President of the Security Council.
The nine countries formally responded to the statements issued by Russia on February 2, which questioned the continued operational status of the tribunal. The collective statement strongly countered Russia’s claim, arguing that the IRMCT remains fully functional. According to the signatories, the mechanism continues to operate in accordance with its established statute and relevant resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council.
The action represents a unified diplomatic effort by these countries to maintain the international legal framework supporting the tribunal’s mandate. By issuing the joint letter, the signatories sought to affirm the legal continuity and operational viability of the IRMCT, thereby dismissing the premise underlying Moscow’s assertion of its dissolution. This diplomatic push aims to ensure that the international community recognizes the established legal standing of the tribunal despite Russia’s challenge.
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