STL Victims’ Participation Unit: Trial Cannot Start Without Us

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon Victims’ Participation Unit stressed on Friday that the trial of the suspects in the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri should not start without the participation of the victims who were affected in the crime.

A representative of the unit said during an STL court hearing in The Hague that the trials cannot begin without the victims, saying that there are several victims who are waiting for the tribunal to extend its hands and help them.

“Many have given up hope on international or national justice being achieved,” he added.

“We also know that many are very patient,” he stressed.

He hoped that the tribunal would not neglect the victims unit and that it would not delay in taking measures that would help facilitate the launch of the trial, therefore urging the Defense Office to appoint counsel for the accused.

The Victims’ Participation Unit is responsible for assisting the victims participating in the proceedings related to Hariri’s February 14, 2005 assassination and any other attack over which the STL will have jurisdiction.