The ICTY’s Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) has investigated many of the worst atrocities to have taken place in Europe since the Second World War, such as the 1995 Srebrenica genocide and has successfully prosecuted civilians, military and paramilitary leaders for their responsibility over such crimes.
The OTP is, along with the Chambers and Registry, one of the Tribunal’s three organs. It is mandated to investigate and prosecute persons responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of the former Yugoslavia since 1 January 1991. The OTP is headed by a Prosecutor, who is appointed by the Security Council for a renewable four-year term.
The Prosecutor is independent and does not seek or receive instructions from external agencies such as any government or international organisation, or from either of the Tribunal’s other two organs. Pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions and the Tribunal's Statute, UN member-states are under an obligation to cooperate with the OTP's investigations and prosecutions.
The job of the Prosecutor is twofold: to investigate crimes and to present cases at trial and later, if necessary, on appeal. Over the years, the focus of the OTP’s work has shifted from investigations to prosecutions.
In accordance with the Tribunal’s completion strategy, the last indictments were issued at the end of 2004. Several trials are currently in progress and a few are yet to start. Some investigative activities are ongoing in support of trials and to search for the remaining fugitives.
