Special Tribunal for Lebanon
Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare on Monday addressed a farewell letter to the
Lebanese people on the occasion of the end of his tenure, stressing that he did
his job “objectively” and noting that “historic days lie ahead for justice and
the People of Lebanon.”
Bellemare will leave office at the
end of this month. In November 2007 he was assigned by U.N. chief Ban Ki-Moon
as the commissioner for the United Nations International Independent
Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) into the 2005 assassination of ex-PM Rafik
Hariri, replacing Serge Brammertz of Belgium.
At the same time, the U.N.
secretary-general designated Bellemare as the prosecutor of the STL, an
appointment he took up on March 1, 2009.
Prime Minister Najib Miqati revealed
on Tuesday that Bellemare had informed him during his recent trip to Lebanon
that he will submit a new revised indictment before leaving office end of
February.
Media reports had said that
Bellemare was expected to issue a new indictment before he leaves his post in
March. His successor has not yet been named.
Below is the full text of
Bellemare’s farewell letter:
“As I approach the end of my tenure
as Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, I want to bid farewell to
the People of Lebanon.
It has been an honor and a privilege
to serve both as the last Commissioner of the United Nations International
Independent Investigation Commission, and as the founding Prosecutor of the
Tribunal. I want to thank you for your support and trust in carrying out these
profoundly important mandates. And for the journey of progress we have
travelled together.
During my tenure, I often felt that
the fight against impunity would be a long and difficult journey. Nonetheless,
I continued to be passionate about the mission and about Lebanon. The People of
Lebanon deserve no less. They deserve a society free of impunity, a society
based on a culture of accountability. Is there a greater mission than one built
on the desire of a people for truth and justice?
It is encouraging to see that this
legitimate desire for justice and accountability is now gaining greater
momentum. Today our fight against impunity is shared even more broadly. We have
already accomplished a lot together in this respect. While much still remains
to be done, I am confident that the foundations are firm. I am leaving with
reluctance, but with the sense of having done the right thing, objectively,
passionately and, with professionalism and respect.
These have been the most intense
years of my professional life. Those who advised me when I was considering
whether or not to accept this challenge were right when they said that if I declined
the opportunity, I would regret it for the rest of my life. While it has been
anything but easy, it has been immensely fulfilling both personally and
professionally. It should come as no surprise that my decision not to seek
reappointment for a second term was indeed a very difficult one.
As my professional involvement with
the People of Lebanon comes to an end, I would like to leave you with a message
of hope. Historic days lie ahead for justice and the People of Lebanon.
But Justice does not happen
overnight. In this respect, the Lebanese people, and especially the victims,
have been patient. For this, I want to thank all of you.
I would also like to thank the
Lebanese Authorities for their continued cooperation and assistance.
I am proud to be leaving behind a
strong and committed team of professionals, who have joined the Office of the
Prosecutor because they believe in the cause of justice for Lebanon. They have
worked long and hard, often under very difficult circumstances, and they, too,
have all my gratitude.
With your support, they will
continue their mission.
Daniel A. Bellemare
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