Augustin Matata Ponyo Quotes

It is completely unacceptable that there be UN forces committing human rights violations such as rape and sexual violence. All of us together— [member] states and UN—must do our utmost to ensure that any kind of action of this type is severely punished,

My wish is to be a catalyst, to push for solutions, to broker peace talks, to ensure accountability, especially for those who committed and are still organizing unspeakable crimes.

If Bush and Blair are eventually put on trial for war crimes, I shall not be among those pressing for them to be hanged.

I haven't mentioned another argument, The Hague tribunal. It is clear our generals and all of you who are sitting here now with me could end up there, too.

To confront criminals, we need to finish with corruption. If we don't do this, there is no hope.

Justice for the major perpetrators cannot be separated from the vindication of the rights of the individual victim.

We cannot lightly allow the perpetrator of a serious crime to go free simply because that person believed his actions were reasonable and necessary to prevent some perceived harm.

Good laws are the offspring of bad actions.

There can be no deal, no amnesty for war crimes.

Criminals are not the victims of society; society is the victim of criminals.

The laws of war do not apply only to the suspected criminals of vanquished nations. There is no moral or legal basis for immunizing victorious nations from scrutiny. The laws of war are not a one-way street.

The law makes ten criminals where it restrains one.

I want to tell the law and order machinery not to spare anyone who indulges in unlawful activities.

We have to work together in order to prove that genocidal campaigns will fail and lead to accountability of the perpetrators and bring justice for survivors.

I'm not asking victims to change their behavior. I'm asking perpetrators not to commit crimes.

The purpose of the law is not to prevent a future offense, but to punish the one actually committed.

If we don't prosecute war criminals, what's the next horrible thing they can do? As anyone knows, if you're not held accountable, you think you can get away with it, and it becomes OK.

I would never accept general impunity for the guerrillas!

In any war, mistakes happen on the ground; this is not the policy of the government. We are a government that functions according to laws.

As people, we have to take the law's side. We have to stand behind the police, not behind the criminal.

We need society, and particularly the victims of crime, to believe justice is being done.

There is one system of justice, demanding that all be held accountable when laws are broken.

What is the point of the police if wrongdoers aren't afraid of them?

As we respond to the assault of our enemy and defend our country, we must never break international laws. Crime can not be solved by more crime.

In Serbia's case, the unresolved accountability for the Bytyqi brothers massacre needs to be resolved. And we would urge you to give this matter prompt and immediate attention to bring those responsible to justice for this tragedy.