Germany increases contribution to the Hariri Tribunal

German Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. Press release, date of issue: 22.12.2010

The German Government is transferring an additional 1.5 million euro to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon for 2011. By doing this it – along with other donor states – is signalling its continued support for the Special Tribunal's work.

In this connection, Federal Minister Westerwelle stressed that it was in the interests of both the international community and the people of Lebanon that light be shed on the circumstances surrounding the assassination of Rafik Hariri. He called on all political forces in Lebanon to support the Tribunal and went on to say that threats aimed at obstructing the Special Tribunal's work were unacceptable.

The main task of the Tribunal established by the UN Security Council is to investigate the attack on 14 February 2005 which left the then Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 other persons dead. The aim of the investigation is to find evidence of individual guilt and not to establish political responsibility.

Germany has been providing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon with both personnel and funding since its establishment in 2007. It is a member of the Management Committee set up by the UN Secretary-General and which is composed of the Tribunal's key donor countries. From 2008 to 2010, Germany made an annual contribution of one million US dollars.

British Foreign Office affirms UK support for STL

19 December 2010 Foreign Secretary William Hague discussed the areas of concern, and the direction of foreign policy in the coming months.
In an interview with Adam Boulton on Sky News, the Foreign Secretary said:
The Foreign Secretary discussed concern in Lebanon as the Special Tribunal inquiry into the murder of former Prime Minister Hariri draws to a close.
"We are very concerned about Lebanon, that is one of our concerns over the coming weeks. We think it's very important that tribunal does its work. I've announced an increase in the British funding for that tribunal, as did the United States with their funding, to make clear that it must go ahead, that justice must proceed in the Lebanon for people to have any confidence in its future.

Payment by France of its contribution to the budget of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon for 2012

Communique of the French Permanent Mission to the United Nations, 17 December 2010

France has paid its contribution to the budget of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon for 2011. This amounts to €1.5 million, thus bringing the total financial support provided by France to the STL since its creation to €4.5 million.

This contribution reflects France's resolute support for the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. France urges all parties to respect the STL's mandate, established by Security Council resolution 1757 (2007). This Tribunal must, in the interests of Lebanon as well as the entire region, be allowed to continue working completely independently and in an atmosphere of calm. The international community must continue to lend the Tribunal its political and financial support.

Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Announcing an Additional $10 million U.S. Contribution to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 

New York, NY

November 3, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Video of the Statement is Available at: http://bit.ly/cVxG3D
The United States is pleased to announce that we will transfer an additional $10 million to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. This brings total U.S. funding for the Tribunal to $30 million since its inception.
We applaud the brave and tireless work of the Tribunal's staff members, who continue to carry out their duties in a professional, apolitical manner. The recent attack on three Tribunal staff members in Beirut is yet another attempt to create a false choice between justice and stability in Lebanon and to prevent the independent Tribunal from carrying out its Security Council mandate. We condemn such acts and again emphasize that efforts to discredit, hinder, or influence the Tribunal's work must not be tolerated. The Tribunal must continue to operate according to the highest standards of judicial independence and integrity, and we have full confidence in its ability to do so.
The establishment of the Tribunal was a clear signal that Lebanon's sovereignty is non-negotiable. We are confident that the work of the Tribunal can continue to help deter further violence and put an end to a tragic era of impunity for political assassinations in Lebanon. Until Lebanon is able to achieve this, it will be very difficult to secure the peace and stability that all Lebanese citizens deserve.
We commend all of the donor countries that have contributed to the Tribunal and we encourage the entire international community to continue to support the Tribunal, financially and politically.

Lebanon/Special Tribunal - Remarks to the press by Mr. Gerard Araud, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations

5 November 2010 - The meeting of the Security Council today was the expression of our common concern following the attacks against the investigators of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on the 27th of October. First of all, we wanted to be informed by Ms. Patricia O'Brien, who is the Legal Counsel of our organization, and we wanted to reaffirm our support to the actions of the Tribunal. I think this support was granted: it was a good opportunity for all of us to reaffirm it. We have all expressed our wish that the Tribunal is able to continue its action in an independent and effective way. 

Q: The Council condemned the attack. What is France's position?

First, I think it was in a sense a very factual meeting. We wanted to be informed about what happened. So Ms. O'Brien transmitted the elements that she had. Do not forget also that it is an independent tribunal, therefore we do not have all the information from the Tribunal. So we are going to tell the Tribunal that if it considers it necessary or appropriate to provide more to the Council, it is up to it to send it to the Council. But of course everybody condemned the attack against the investigators.

Q: Some people say that it should not have been Ms O'Brien that should have briefed the Council but someone from the court itself: as you said the court is independent…

The Secretariat has transmitted to us the information it got from the Tribunal. Some members said they would have wanted more information, so it will be up to the Tribunal to decide whether it wants to transmit additional information to the Council. I insist and we all have insisted the Tribunal is independent. So it's up to the tribunal to decide.

Q: Mr Ambassador, are you satisfied with the action of the Security Council and do you believe that the Council should take further action?

We are very satisfied because there was a general agreement around the table, a general expression of support. We are now going to see what happens on the ground in the coming weeks, which is important. Again, this is not a political issue. We do not want to politicize it. The Council was very clear on not making this issue a political one. We have a Tribunal, created by the Security Council. We want it to work in an effective and serene manner.

Q: Is it acceptable for France to release personal data about people and (inaudible)? 

The Tribunal is independent so if you have any question about the Tribunal you have to go to the Tribunal.

Thank you

President Cassese addresses the UN Secretary General and the Lebanese Prime Minister regarding the attack in Beirut on STL staff

Leidschendam, 29 October 2010 - Judge Antonio Cassese, President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, addressed today in separate letters, the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon and the Lebanese Prime Minister Mr. Saad Harriri. In the letters, President Cassese conveyed the Tribunal's great concern about the incident which took place in Beirut on 27 October and resulted in the injury of STL staff and the unlawful removal of STL property.
The President reassured both the UN Secretary General and the Lebanese Prime Minister that "this most regrettable incident will not be allowed to jeopardize the work of the Tribunal in discharging its truth-seeking mission for the Lebanese people and the international community." The President also firmly underscored "that the Tribunal continues to act independently in accordance with its legal framework".
President Cassese further stated that both he and the Tribunal's staff greatly appreciate the strong commitment of Lebanon to cooperation with the Special Tribunal and the UN Secretary General's calls for all parties to refrain from interfering in the Tribunal's work.
The President concluded by saying that "it is our firm intention not to bow to any act of interference and intimidation in carrying out our mandate in an independent and fair manner".

New York, 28 October 2010 - Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by recent statements and events related to the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL). He condemns the incident on Wednesday, 27 October, involving a team of investigators from the Prosecutor's Office. Such acts of interference and intimidation are unacceptable. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is an independent court of law established at the request of the Government of Lebanon, with a clear mandate from the United Nations Security Council. It is an important tool to uncover the truth and end impunity. The Secretary-General calls on all parties to refrain from interfering in its work, which proceeds in accordance with the legal principles and standards applied by all international tribunals, and from prejudging its outcome.

The Secretary-General also wishes to stress that it is imperative that the Special Tribunal carry out its work safely and securely. He commends the Lebanese authorities for their swift action in opening an inquiry into the incident that occurred on 27 October.