STL 3rd Annual Report: Lebanon's Investment in Justice Starting to Pay a Return
The U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the 2005 assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri has published its third annual report detailing its activities during the past year.
“A copy of the report was sent last week to the U.N. Secretary-General (Ban Ki-moon) and the Lebanese Prime Minister,” Najib Miqati, the STL said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
"Our primary role is to serve the people of Lebanon by independent and impartial investigation and trial, fully protective of the rights of the accused and mindful of the interests of victims, of whatever cases the evidence supports," the statement quoted Judge Sir David Baragwanath, the STL President, as saying.
"We must strive, as our Statute requires, to meet the highest standards of international criminal justice, and thereby contribute to further strengthening the rule of law in Lebanon," he added.
The report marks the beginning of the STL's second mandate, which began on March 1 and will continue for another three years.
“During the past year, the Tribunal saw a flurry of judicial activity with the Pre-Trial Judge confirming an indictment in the case of Ayyash et al and establishing jurisdiction over three cases connected to the 14 February 2005 attack,” the STL noted.
The Trial Chamber convened for the first time, held its first public hearing and decided that the four accused in the case would be tried in absentia. Defense counsel for the accused were sworn in and victims applied to participate in the Tribunal's proceedings.
The Prosecution also submitted a request to amend the indictment and its investigations continue.
Judge Baragwanath was elected as the Tribunal's President in October after Judge Antonio Cassese stepped down on health grounds, and a new Prosecutor and Appeals Judge were appointed.
“The unwavering support for the Tribunal's mission was demonstrated with contributions from 26 states on five continents, as well as Lebanon's payment of its share of the Tribunal's budget,” the court said in its statement.
“The disclosure of documents to (former General Security chief) Mr. Jamil Sayyed in relation to his detention in Lebanon prior to the Tribunal's creation continues under the supervision of the Pre-Trial Judge,” it noted.
The court stressed in its annual report that “over the past 12 months, with the vital support of the Lebanese government and the international community, the STL has overcome a variety of obstacles to its mission of delivering fair and swift justice.”
And it reassured that “the loss of key figures, although greatly regretted, has not been allowed to impact on the efficiency and energy of the institution as a whole.”
“The investment in justice made by Lebanon and the international community in the Special Tribunal is starting to pay a return,” the court announced in its annual report.
“In its fourth year of activity (1 March 2012-28 February 2013), the Tribunal may be expected to start trial proceedings against the four accused in the Ayyash et al. case, and prepare to consider charges in any other cases supported by prima facie evidence. Investigations should continue to identify new suspects and accused in relation to cases within the Tribunal’s jurisdiction,” the court said in the section of the report titled “Expectations for the fourth year of STL activities.”
It said “intensified efforts” are required of the Lebanese authorities to “search for, arrest, detain and transfer” the accused to the Tribunal.
It also noted that “nothing prevents the domestic judicial authorities from investigating and prosecuting other crimes over which they have jurisdiction.”
“In doing so, they may request the Tribunal’s cooperation when necessary,” the STL clarified.
Below are some statistics from the annual report:
The approved budget for 1 January 2012 - 31 December 2012 amounts to EUR 55.3 million.
26 countries, as well as the European Union, contributed to the Tribunal in 2011.
More than 350 formal Requests for Assistance were dispatched to Lebanon and other States by the Prosecution.
Nearly 300 interviews were conducted during about 100 missions by the Prosecution.
132 counsel were included on the List of Counsel by the Defense Office.
362 staff are employed by the Tribunal representing 62 nationalities, including 50 staff from Lebanon.
101,055 pages of official court documents have been filed.
17,300 pages have been translated by the Language Services Section into three languages.
The STL Spokesperson answered more than 1,000 media inquiries from journalists.
750 individuals visited STL.
73 victims applied to participate in STL proceedings.
Below is the full text of STL’s 3rd annual report:
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