The Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH) is a local non-profit, non-partisan Lebanese human rights organization in Beirut that was established by the Franco-Lebanese Movement SOLIDA (Support for Lebanese Detained Arbitrarily) in 2006. SOLIDA has been active since 1996 in the struggle against arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and the impunity of those perpetrating gross human violations.

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September 7, 2011

iloubnan - STL Media Advisory: the Defence Office publishes the names on the List of Defence Counsel - September 07, 2011


The Defence Office today published the List of Counsel. Currently, 120 have been admitted to the List, out of a total of 145 applicants. One hundred and eighteen (118) names have been made public, along with information about the primary jurisdiction in which they are admitted.
The List of Counsel is established pursuant to Rule 59 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence. The List of Defence Counsel will be provided to an accused who has requested legal aid. The accused may choose Lead Counsel freely from the List to represent him. If ordered by the Trial Chamber, the Head of Defence Office will also use this list to choose counsel for in absentia proceedings.

Lawyers from all countries may apply for the List. All lawyers who meet the minimum criteria set out in Rules 58 and 59 are interviewed by an Admission Panel, composed of the Head of Defence Office, and two external counsel, currently Elizabeth Sioufi from Lebanon and Bénoît Henry from Canada.

The Head of Defence Office is proud to present the List and said “the List contains a wide variety of very competent criminal defence lawyers who have experience in the defence of the most serious crimes at the national and international level.”

It is the first time in international tribunals that the Defence Office is an independent organ of the court. The fact that there is an Admission Panel, mandatory training for counsel and the duty for the Defence Office to oversee their effectiveness are all significant improvements for the protection of the rights of the accused.

The Defence Office welcomes more applications to the List of Counsel. Any new additions to the List of Counsel will automatically be added to the website.

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