War crimes expert Carla del Ponte is disappointed by the United Nations.
Keystone
Swiss prosecutor Carla del Ponte gave a scathing critique of the United Nations in an interview published on Sunday. She also took aim at Switzerland’s attorney general, Michael Lauber.
“The United Nations is a great disappointment for me,” Del Ponte told the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper, stressing the need to reorganise the international body. “There is a lot of talk and there are too many officials, really too many. Only a few really work”.
Del Ponte, who worked on the UN commission of inquiry on Syria, painted a bleak picture of what has been achieved in terms of international justice.
“We have fallen very low, human rights no longer apply,” she says. “We must believe that an independent international tribunal can do justice.”
As a former attorney general of Switzerland, Del Ponte spared no criticism of Lauber, who assumed the role in January 2012 and is now in his second term.
“Would you be able to tell me what the current attorney general is doing? No, that’s right. He doesn’t exist,” said the 71-year-old native of Ticino.
“I think a federal prosecutor must be transparent and able to cope with criticism,” she added, pointing out that a prosecutor without enemies is not doing a good job. “With me, we knew exactly what I was doing.”
In 1999, Del Ponte became the prosecutor general at the International Criminal Tributnal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
In 2012, she traveled to Syria as a United Nations special investigator. Five years later the war crimes expert resigned to protest inaction on Syria at the United Nations Security Council. She has described the war crimes committed in Syria since 2011 as the worst she has ever seen.
Del Ponte told the German-language newspaper she plans to disappear from public life after December 5, when she will be presenting her book, ‘In the name of the victims – the failure of the UN and of international politics in Syria,’ during an event in the northern city of Aarau.
swissinfo.ch/ds
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
The Swiss Alps, a new Eldorado for real estate developers
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
International hot air balloon festival draws thousands despite bad weather
This content was published on
Despite a few rainy days and the cancellation of the anniversary celebrations, the 45th International Balloon Festival wrapped up under glorious sunshine.
Swiss company supplies Serbia with surveillance technology
This content was published on
A Swiss company has supplied the Serbian government with a geolocation and eavesdropping system, the SonntagsBlick reported on Sunday.
This content was published on
A committee of Switzerland’s House of Representatives has found the people’s initiative to limit fireworks too extreme, but has suggested a counter-proposal.
UN investigators report evidence of crimes in Syria and call for national dialogue
This content was published on
UN investigators in Geneva report ample evidence of crimes in Syria and urge the regime to follow through on its promise of a national dialogue.
Swiss Trade Union warns EU deal could threaten wages
This content was published on
The Swiss Trade Union Federation warns that the new bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the EU could threaten wage protection and public services.
Credit Suisse fines from Mozambique scandal to fund victims’ compensation
This content was published on
The fines imposed on Credit Suisse for the Mozambique scandal will be allocated to a fund for the victims, amounting to $105.5 million.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Carla Del Ponte: ‘We didn’t achieve anything; I’m angry’
This content was published on
Swiss prosecutor Carla Del Ponte says her efforts to investigate human rights violations and war crimes in Syria have clearly failed.
This content was published on
On International Women’s Day, we asked our readers which Swiss women – past or present – they find most inspiring. Here are the results.
This content was published on
Speaking to students at a Bern secondary school, refugees describe the brutal torture they were subjected to before fleeing Syria.
This content was published on
“There are no good or bad ones – they are all bad. Government forces and rebels are both committing war crimes as serious and incredible as each other,” Del Ponte told reporters at a press conference in Geneva on Monday. “I have never seen such acts of torture, even in the Balkans conflict.” The panel…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.