STL Legal Representatives of the Victims: It is Time to End Terrorism in Lebanon
The Legal Representatives of the Victims at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon voiced on Friday their confidence that the tribunal would be able to achieve justice “that has long been missing in Lebanon.”
They said during their opening statements at the trial that it is “time to end terrorism in Lebanon and put the criminals on trial.”
The representatives are Nada Abdelsater-Abusamra, Mohammed Mattar, and Peter Haynes.
Abdelsater said: “Since the 1970s, Lebanon has witnessed the highest number of assassinations in human history.”
“Due to impunity, a mountain of terror, oppression, and injustice has been piling up over the year before the silent eyes of the international community,” she added.
“This tribunal is temporary, but its principles are eternal,” she stressed.
“Real truth is not limited to identifying the killers and satisfying our curiosity, but it lies in wanting to achieve justice and respecting human rights,” Abdelsater continued.
“How are we expected to turn the page if we haven't read it? Forgive? Who do we forgive if we do not know their identity?” she asked.
“Justice lies in seeing the oppressors being brought to justice,” Abdelsater stressed.
Moreover, she noted that justice in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri will achieve justice to some other cases that should have had tribunal set up for them.
Had tribunals been established for those cases, Hariri may have never been assassinated, she remarked.
For his part, Mattar lamented that “a natural death in Lebanon has become a privilege” given the numerous assassinations and bombings that have taken place in the country.
He demanded an end to such a reality, hoping that the STL would accomplish this goal and deliver the message that the criminals will be pursued and brought to justice.
“We are not demanding vengeance, but justice,” he stated.
The tribunal could help restore the Lebanese people's faith in justice, crime and punishment, and the rule of law, he continued.
“To those skeptical of the STL, they should rest assured that in absentia trials are a central part of the Lebanese penal law,” Mattar said.
Haynes later introduced the victims of the Hariri assassination who were present in the courtroom, including former Premier Saad Hariri.
He added: “There are 65 victims: 16 are the injured survivors and 49 are relatives of those killed in the assassination.”
The STL will continue its hearings on 11 am Beirut time on Monday.
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