STL urges 2005 victims to participate in its proceedings

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The Victims’ Participation Unit of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) urged in a press release the individuals who have suffered physical, mental or material harm as a result of the 2005 assassination of Lebanon’s former PM Rafik Hariri to apply to participate in the proceedings as victims by completing the application form on the STL website:

The Victims’ Participation Unit of the STL has today opened applications for victims to participate in the proceedings before the Tribunal. This follows the confirmation of an indictment by the Pre-Trial Judge on 28 June 2011.

Through this process the voices of victims will be heard. They will be able to fully participate in the trial before the Tribunal, which will seek the truth behind the attack on 14 February 2005 and also serve justice.

Individuals who have suffered physical, mental or material harm can apply to participate in the proceedings as victims by completing the application form on the STL website. Since the confirmed indictment relates to the attack on 14 February 2005 that killed the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others, only those who were affected by that attack may participate at this stage.

The victims’ application process is entirely confidential. Once the Pre-Trial Judge approves the application, the victim is entitled to a number of rights similar to those of the Prosecution and the Defense; such as calling and cross-examining witnesses, submitting evidence, and filing motions, with the approval of the judges.

Unless the judges rule differently, victims shall only participate in the proceedings through a lawyer. The Tribunal could, under certain conditions, cover all of the victims’ legal costs if they are unable to afford them.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon cannot award compensation to victims for the harm they suffered. However, if one or more accused persons are convicted, the Tribunal shall provide victims with a certified copy of the judgment, which they may present before national courts in order to seek compensation.

The Victims’ Participation Unit is responsible for assisting the victims participating in the proceedings related to the attack on 14 February 2005 and any other attack (s) over which the Tribunal will have jurisdiction. A Lebanese telephone hotline has been set up to answer victims’ questions.

STL

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