| Press Release | REGISTRY |
(Exclusively for the use of the media. Not an official document)
CC/P.I.S./500-
Judge Jules Deschênes.
The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has learnt with great sadness of the death, on Wednesday 10 May 2000, of former Judge Jules Deschênes at the age of 76.
A graduate from the University of Montreal, Mr. Deschênes was admitted to the Bar of Québec in 1946. He was a barrister and solicitor until his appointment as a Justice with the Court of Appeal of Québec (1972-1973). In 1973, Justice Deschênes became the Chief Justice at the Superior Court of Québec (1973-1983).
In 1993, Mr. Deschênes was one of the first 11 Judges elected by the United Nations General Assembly to serve at the ICTY for a four-year term. However, Judge Deschênes had to resign in May 1997 for reasons of ill health. On the occasion of Judge Deschênes’ departure from the Tribunal, the then-President, Judge Antonio Cassese praised "his highest judicial skills, impartiality and integrity".
On behalf of the Tribunal, President Jorda has sent a message of condolence to Judge Deschênes’ family. More specifically, the President underlined his personal memories of Judge Deschênes, who he had sat with in court on numerous occasions: "Judge Deschênes was an eminent lawyer, as well as a warm and affable person. One of his outstanding achievements during his tenure at the Tribunal was his contribution to the ground breaking Decision of the Appeals Chamber on the jurisdiction of the Tribunal in the Tadic case".
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International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
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