IRMCT Archive Catalogue | <div id="ais-introduction"><h2>Mechanism Archives Catalogue FAQs</h2> This page provides answers to frequently asked questions related to the Mechanism’s archives catalogue. It is split into <a href="#B0">general</a> questions, questions about <a href="#B1">searching</a>, and questions about <a href="#B3">access</a>. If your question is not answered here, please get in touch using the <a href="https://www.irmct.org/en/records-enquiry" target="_blank">online enquiry form</a>. <h2 id="B0">General</h2> What is the archives catalogue?The archives catalogue contains descriptions of records from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism or IRMCT) that have been transferred to the Mechanism archives for permanent preservation and have been fully catalogued. The catalogue lets you search these descriptions and download or print out your search results. How is the archives catalogue different from the UCR?The <a href="http://ucr.irmct.org" target="_blank">Unified Court Records Database</a> (UCR) contains copies of public judicial records from ICTR, ICTY, and Mechanism cases. The archives catalogue contains information about permanent records that have been transferred to the Mechanism archives. It includes administrative records, judicial case records, and records related to judicial activity. It does not contain copies of records. Does the archives catalogue contain information about the Prosecutor’s Evidence Collection?The evidence collected by the Prosecutors for the ICTR, ICTY, and Mechanism remains in the custody of the Mechanism Prosecutor. It is not part of the archives. Questions about the evidence collection should be directed to the Mechanism’s Office of the Prosecutor. How are records arranged in the archives catalogue?Archives are arranged hierarchically, from the general to the specific. The records in the Mechanism archives catalogue are arranged by institution (ICTR, ICTY, IRMCT) and then by function. Within the functions, records are then arranged by activity or record series. Files and items within series are often in date order but can also reflect the order that they were kept in by the office which created, accumulated, and/or maintained them. A functional arrangement was chosen over a structural or organisational one because while the structure of the institutions changed over time with offices merging or changing what they were responsible for, the functions being carried out remained largely the same. To provide context and provenance for the records the names of the offices or units which created, accumulated, and/or maintained the records in the course of their work are provided in the ‘Creator’ field. This also aids searching by office if you are interested in all the records created by one particular office. NOTE. An exception to the functional arrangement exists for records from the ICTY executive offices (Office of the President, Immediate Office of the Prosecutor, Immediate Office of the Registrar, and Office of the Chief Administrative Officer). These are arranged by the executive offices (reference codes: ICTY/EOR/1-4) and where possible they are cross-referenced to the functions/records series that the records would have been found under in the functional arrangement, for example, Bureau records within the Governance function. What is an archives creator?Archives creators are the parts of institutions that created, accumulated, and/or maintained records in the context of their work. This should not be confused with author, which is the person who, for example, wrote a document. Due to the functional nature of the arrangement of the records, some series contain records that were created, accumulated, and/or maintained by more than one office or unit. Which languages is the catalogue available in?The database language can be switched between English and French. This is done by clicking on “EN” or “FR” on the top right of any page. This changes the language of the introduction, help text, and other elements like search boxes and field labels. Most of the entries are only available in English although some fields, including language, security classification, and access conditions, will have French text when “FR” is selected. <h2 id="B1">Searching</h2> How do I search the archives catalogue?There are three ways to search the archives catalogue: simple search, advanced search, and expert search. The default is a simple search that allows you to search any text in the description of a record or a series of records. You can find help for searching the archives catalogue by clicking on the “?” icon on the search page. Can I browse the archives catalogue?You can browse the entries for each institution by clicking on the related title on the simple search page. You can then refine your search by creators, subjects, and persons if you want to narrow your search down further. You can also search for all records from each institution, or more than one institution, by using the expert search and searching for “ICTY”, “ICTR”, and/or “IRMCT” in the Reference field (ensuring that “Trunc.” is selected). You can then browse through the list of results using the < and > arrows or page numbers on the results page. What does “Trunc.” in the expert search do?Select the “Trunc.” checkbox if you want to search on a partial term. For example, searching for “ICTY” in the Reference field with “Trunc.” selected will return all results with ICTY in the Reference code (ICTY, ICTY/PIC, ICTY/OPM/1 etc.) Deselect this option if you only want to search on the term you entered, not all variations containing that term, for example “Photo” in the Title field with “Trunc.” deselected will only return results containing the word photo (not photograph, photographer, etc.). Can I order my search results?If you use the advanced or expert search it is possible to order your results by title, creator, or date. You can then choose to have your results in ascending or descending order. You can also go back to the search page and change the order. Can I filter my searches?Once you have conducted a search, you can filter by place names, personal names, and creators. These are subject terms that have been added to catalogue entries to provide context and to aid searching. The adding of place names and personal names to entries is ongoing. Can I filter by date?There is no specific filter for dates. However, advanced and expert search both allow you to search by date. You can also carry out an advanced or expert search without dates and then go back to the search to narrow your results down by date. For example, if you wanted to find all of the ICTR records that date between 1994 and 2001 you can carry out the following search:Reference ICTR [+] (ensure “Trunc.” is selected)Date Between 1994 2001 How do I remove filters to show more results again?To remove selected filters from your current search, click the “x” next to the filter and the search will run again without the deselected filters. How can I limit my search results before searching?To limit your results before searching, use either the advanced or expert search option. These allow you to search on a number of fields at the same time. Expert search also lets you use Boolean operators (and/or/and not) and you can also search across multiple instances of the same field using the operators. NOTE: Complex searches using Boolean operators are carried out in sequence. I have the name of an individual I’m looking for, can I search for them?You can search for names in a number of ways: by putting the name into the simple search box, or by using the advanced or expert search and searching using the title, description, or person/institution field. The person/institution field allows you to select from names that have been added to catalogue entries as subject terms. This type of search will bring up entries where the person is not otherwise named in the title or description of the records as well as entries where they are.NOTE. You are most likely to find names of accused persons, judges, the Presidents, Prosecutors, Registrars, and significant people who visited the Tribunals (e.g., Secretaries-General) rather than other individuals. The adding of personal names to entries is ongoing. I tried searching for Karadzic but got no hits, what did I do wrong?Diacritics have been used for names that are written with them. You will therefore need to either include the diacritics (Karadžić) or use wildcards in place of the letters with diacritics (Karad*i*). This is the same for place names. Can I search for all of the records from one part of the institution, like Registry, rather than choosing a specific office?You can use the creator field in the advanced and expert search to search for records where the creator is the Registry or the Office of the Prosecutor, rather than specifying the offices that were part of these organs. To do this, do not select from the drop-down list, but type the first part of the creator’s name into the field and click search, for example: ICTY – Registry, or ICTR – Office of the Prosecutor. Can I save my searches?While it is not possible to save a search within the system, your search history is retained for each session, so you can re-run searches before closing the browser. Alternatively, you can click the “” symbol on the results page to copy the URL of the search results to the clipboard. Pasting the URL into a new browser window will return you to those search results. Keeping these URLs in a note or document will allow you to return to them at a later date. You can also save entries to your selection and either print or download this for future reference. Why can’t I find what I’m looking for in the archives catalogue?Many records have not been transferred to the archives because they are still being used by Mechanism offices, including records from the ICTR and ICTY. We are also still arranging and describing the records, so more file and item level entries are still to be added. Please <a href="https://www.irmct.org/en/records-enquiry" target="_blank">contact us</a> if you cannot find what you are looking for. <h2 id="B3">Access</h2> Can I see copies of the records in the archives catalogue?The archives catalogue only contains descriptions of records. Public judicial records can be viewed in the <a href="http://ucr.irmct.org" target="_blank">UCR</a>; all other records need to be requested. If you would like to view any records you find in the catalogue, <a href="https://www.irmct.org/en/records-enquiry" target="_blank">contact us</a> to find out if it is possible. How do I request access to records that I find in the catalogue?Please contact us to find out if the records are available. Any records that say they are ‘closed’ are not available for consultation at this time. You can contact us using our online <a href="https://www.irmct.org/en/records-enquiry" target="_blank">enquiry form</a>, or by clicking ‘contact us’ on any page. Who should I contact if I need help?The catalogue contains help pages for searching, understanding your results, and understanding the details page. You can find these help pages by clicking on the “?” icon on the search, results, and details pages. You can also contact us using our online <a href="https://www.irmct.org/en/records-enquiry" target="_blank">enquiry form</a>, or by clicking ‘contact us’ on any page. </div>

UNITED NATIONS
International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
IRMCT Archives Catalogue

Mechanism Archives Catalogue FAQs

This page provides answers to frequently asked questions related to the Mechanism’s archives catalogue. It is split into general questions, questions about searching, and questions about access. If your question is not answered here, please get in touch using the online enquiry form.

General

What is the archives catalogue?
The archives catalogue contains descriptions of records from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism or IRMCT) that have been transferred to the Mechanism archives for permanent preservation and have been fully catalogued. The catalogue lets you search these descriptions and download or print out your search results.

How is the archives catalogue different from the UCR?
The Unified Court Records Database (UCR) contains copies of public judicial records from ICTR, ICTY, and Mechanism cases. The archives catalogue contains information about permanent records that have been transferred to the Mechanism archives. It includes administrative records, judicial case records, and records related to judicial activity. It does not contain copies of records.

Does the archives catalogue contain information about the Prosecutor’s Evidence Collection?
The evidence collected by the Prosecutors for the ICTR, ICTY, and Mechanism remains in the custody of the Mechanism Prosecutor. It is not part of the archives. Questions about the evidence collection should be directed to the Mechanism’s Office of the Prosecutor.

How are records arranged in the archives catalogue?
Archives are arranged hierarchically, from the general to the specific. The records in the Mechanism archives catalogue are arranged by institution (ICTR, ICTY, IRMCT) and then by function. Within the functions, records are then arranged by activity or record series. Files and items within series are often in date order but can also reflect the order that they were kept in by the office which created, accumulated, and/or maintained them.

A functional arrangement was chosen over a structural or organisational one because while the structure of the institutions changed over time with offices merging or changing what they were responsible for, the functions being carried out remained largely the same. To provide context and provenance for the records the names of the offices or units which created, accumulated, and/or maintained the records in the course of their work are provided in the ‘Creator’ field. This also aids searching by office if you are interested in all the records created by one particular office.

NOTE. An exception to the functional arrangement exists for records from the ICTY executive offices (Office of the President, Immediate Office of the Prosecutor, Immediate Office of the Registrar, and Office of the Chief Administrative Officer). These are arranged by the executive offices (reference codes: ICTY/EOR/1-4) and where possible they are cross-referenced to the functions/records series that the records would have been found under in the functional arrangement, for example, Bureau records within the Governance function.

What is an archives creator?
Archives creators are the parts of institutions that created, accumulated, and/or maintained records in the context of their work. This should not be confused with author, which is the person who, for example, wrote a document. Due to the functional nature of the arrangement of the records, some series contain records that were created, accumulated, and/or maintained by more than one office or unit.

Which languages is the catalogue available in?
The database language can be switched between English and French. This is done by clicking on “EN” or “FR” on the top right of any page. This changes the language of the introduction, help text, and other elements like search boxes and field labels. Most of the entries are only available in English although some fields, including language, security classification, and access conditions, will have French text when “FR” is selected.

Searching

How do I search the archives catalogue?
There are three ways to search the archives catalogue: simple search, advanced search, and expert search. The default is a simple search that allows you to search any text in the description of a record or a series of records. You can find help for searching the archives catalogue by clicking on the “?” icon on the search page.

Can I browse the archives catalogue?
You can browse the entries for each institution by clicking on the related title on the simple search page. You can then refine your search by creators, subjects, and persons if you want to narrow your search down further. You can also search for all records from each institution, or more than one institution, by using the expert search and searching for “ICTY”, “ICTR”, and/or “IRMCT” in the Reference field (ensuring that “Trunc.” is selected). You can then browse through the list of results using the < and > arrows or page numbers on the results page.

What does “Trunc.” in the expert search do?
Select the “Trunc.” checkbox if you want to search on a partial term. For example, searching for “ICTY” in the Reference field with “Trunc.” selected will return all results with ICTY in the Reference code (ICTY, ICTY/PIC, ICTY/OPM/1 etc.) Deselect this option if you only want to search on the term you entered, not all variations containing that term, for example “Photo” in the Title field with “Trunc.” deselected will only return results containing the word photo (not photograph, photographer, etc.).

Can I order my search results?
If you use the advanced or expert search it is possible to order your results by title, creator, or date. You can then choose to have your results in ascending or descending order. You can also go back to the search page and change the order.

Can I filter my searches?
Once you have conducted a search, you can filter by place names, personal names, and creators. These are subject terms that have been added to catalogue entries to provide context and to aid searching. The adding of place names and personal names to entries is ongoing.

Can I filter by date?
There is no specific filter for dates. However, advanced and expert search both allow you to search by date. You can also carry out an advanced or expert search without dates and then go back to the search to narrow your results down by date. For example, if you wanted to find all of the ICTR records that date between 1994 and 2001 you can carry out the following search:
Reference ICTR [+] (ensure “Trunc.” is selected)
Date Between 1994 2001

How do I remove filters to show more results again?
To remove selected filters from your current search, click the “x” next to the filter and the search will run again without the deselected filters.

How can I limit my search results before searching?
To limit your results before searching, use either the advanced or expert search option. These allow you to search on a number of fields at the same time. Expert search also lets you use Boolean operators (and/or/and not) and you can also search across multiple instances of the same field using the operators. NOTE: Complex searches using Boolean operators are carried out in sequence.

I have the name of an individual I’m looking for, can I search for them?
You can search for names in a number of ways: by putting the name into the simple search box, or by using the advanced or expert search and searching using the title, description, or person/institution field. The person/institution field allows you to select from names that have been added to catalogue entries as subject terms. This type of search will bring up entries where the person is not otherwise named in the title or description of the records as well as entries where they are.

NOTE. You are most likely to find names of accused persons, judges, the Presidents, Prosecutors, Registrars, and significant people who visited the Tribunals (e.g., Secretaries-General) rather than other individuals. The adding of personal names to entries is ongoing.

I tried searching for Karadzic but got no hits, what did I do wrong?
Diacritics have been used for names that are written with them. You will therefore need to either include the diacritics (Karadžić) or use wildcards in place of the letters with diacritics (Karad*i*). This is the same for place names.

Can I search for all of the records from one part of the institution, like Registry, rather than choosing a specific office?
You can use the creator field in the advanced and expert search to search for records where the creator is the Registry or the Office of the Prosecutor, rather than specifying the offices that were part of these organs. To do this, do not select from the drop-down list, but type the first part of the creator’s name into the field and click search, for example: ICTY – Registry, or ICTR – Office of the Prosecutor.

Can I save my searches?
While it is not possible to save a search within the system, your search history is retained for each session, so you can re-run searches before closing the browser. Alternatively, you can click the “” symbol on the results page to copy the URL of the search results to the clipboard. Pasting the URL into a new browser window will return you to those search results. Keeping these URLs in a note or document will allow you to return to them at a later date. You can also save entries to your selection and either print or download this for future reference.

Why can’t I find what I’m looking for in the archives catalogue?
Many records have not been transferred to the archives because they are still being used by Mechanism offices, including records from the ICTR and ICTY. We are also still arranging and describing the records, so more file and item level entries are still to be added. Please contact us if you cannot find what you are looking for.

Access

Can I see copies of the records in the archives catalogue?
The archives catalogue only contains descriptions of records. Public judicial records can be viewed in the UCR; all other records need to be requested. If you would like to view any records you find in the catalogue, contact us to find out if it is possible.

How do I request access to records that I find in the catalogue?
Please contact us to find out if the records are available. Any records that say they are ‘closed’ are not available for consultation at this time. You can contact us using our online enquiry form, or by clicking ‘contact us’ on any page.

Who should I contact if I need help?
The catalogue contains help pages for searching, understanding your results, and understanding the details page. You can find these help pages by clicking on the “?” icon on the search, results, and details pages. You can also contact us using our online enquiry form, or by clicking ‘contact us’ on any page.