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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