The UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) became the Digital Preservation Coalition’s newest Full member in January this year.
The Mechanism is mandated to manage the archives of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), as well as its own archives, which consist of both physical and digital records.
The Mechanism preserves these records and provides access to them in accordance with its Statute, Rules of Procedure and Evidence and other United Nations policies. This is a large and complex digital preservation challenge.
“Joining the DPC enables us to be part of a community of likeminded professionals with whom we can collaborate in support of our mandate to ensure that the digital archives of the ICTR, the ICTY and the Mechanism remain trustworthy, accessible and useable in the future,” explains Elizabeth Emmerson, the Mechanism’s Chief Archivist, based in The Hague.
“We are delighted to welcome the Mechanism to the Coalition,” says Chair of the DPC and Deputy Keeper of the Records of Scotland, Laura Mitchell. “Their contribution to the DPC showcases not just the international nature of the digital preservation challenge, but how fundamental continued access to critical data is to underpinning the field of international criminal justice.”
The DPC helps members to deliver resilient long-term access to digital content and services, helping them to derive enduring value from digital collections. The Coalition also raises awareness of the attendant strategic, cultural and technological challenges and supports members through advocacy, workforce development, capacity-building and partnership.
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