HC Deb 07 July 1994 vol 246 c288W
Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on progress being made by the international war crimes tribunal set up in 1993; and if he will list the judges, giving their countries of origin and background.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The acting deputy prosecutor, Mr. Graham Blewitt, is currently setting up the prosecutor's office. A number of investigatory and prosecutorial staff have now arrived in The Hague. Mr. Blewitt is hoping to start the first trials later this year.

The judges of the tribunal and their nationalities are as follows:

  • President of the Tribunal, H.E. Judge Antonio Cassese, Italy
  • Vice-President of the Tribunal, H.E. Judge Elizabeth Odio Benito, Costa Rica
  • H.E. Judge Georges M. Abi-Saab, Egypt
  • H.E. Judge Jules Deschenes, Canada
  • H.E. Judge Claude Jorda, France
  • H.E. Judge Aldophus G. Karibi-Whyte, Nigeria
  • H.E. Judge Haopei Li, China
  • H.E. Judge Gabrielle Kirk McDonald, USA
  • H.E. Judge Rustam S. Sidhwa, Pakistan
  • H.E. Judge Sir Ninian Stephen, Australia
  • H.E. Judge Lal Chand Vohrah, Malaysia

Copies of the judges' curricula vitae have been placed in the House of Commons Library.