Wednesday, June 21, 2017

STL President meets with UN Secretary-General in New York

Leidschendam, 21 June 2017 – During a visit to the United Nations in New York this week, Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) President Judge Ivana Hrdličková met with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. They discussed the Tribunal's achievements and challenges, as well as its efforts to fulfil its mandate to hold fair, transparent and expeditious proceedings.
"I would like to reaffirm that impunity will not be tolerated," said the UN Secretary General. "The United Nations is committed to support the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, with the continued support and cooperation of the Government of Lebanon."
President Hrdličková expressed her gratitude to the Secretary-General for the UN's strong and steadfast support for the Tribunal and its work. "This was an excellent opportunity to update Secretary-General Guterres on the Tribunal's judicial activities and affirm our shared objectives of efficiency, transparency and accountability. We welcome the United Nations invaluable support in helping us fulfill our mandate and pursue justice for victims in Lebanon," President Hrdličková said.

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Background notes: The STL was established pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1757 (2007) with the mandate to prosecute and try those responsible for the 14 February 2005 attack in Beirut that killed the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 21 others. The Tribunal also has jurisdiction over other attacks in Lebanon between 1 October 2004 and 12 December 2005 if they are determined to be connected to the 14 February 2005 attack because of their gravity or nature.
The Tribunal opened on 1 March 2009. The STL's main case, Prosecutor v. Ayyash et al. commenced on 16 January 2014 and concerns the Accused's alleged involvement in the 14 February 2005 attack.