Former Judge Of UN War Crimes Tribunal Dies At 65

Former Judge Of UN War Crimes Tribunal Dies At 65

The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia paid tribute today to Sir Richard May of the United Kingdom, a judge who served on the tribunal for almost seven years and died this morning at the age of 65.

Judge May's death in his hometown of Oxford came four months after he resigned from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for health reasons.

The judge presided over the genocide trial of the former Yugoslav President Slobodan Miloševic for two years until his retirement.

In the Hague where the court is based, ICTY President Judge Theodor Meron described Sir Richard as one of the Tribunal's "shining lights" since he began work there in November 1997, citing his intellect, dedication, charm and humour.

"Sir Richard was always careful to strike the necessary balance between expeditious and efficient trials and the requirements of fairness, notably leading the Miloševic case through a major part of the trial with the patience and creativity that the case requires," he said.

Judge Meron added that Judge May, by reforming the procedures and conduct of cases at the ICTY, had made a major contribution to the evolution of international criminal law.

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