STL Announces Applications for Victims Affected by Hariri Assassination
The Victims’ Participation Unit of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon has opened on Tuesday applications for victims to participate in the proceedings before the Tribunal, announced the STL press office in a statement.
This follows the confirmation of an indictment by the Pre-Trial Judge on June 28, 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 February 14, 2005 and also serve justice,” it said.
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 that killed the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others, only those who were affected by that attack may participate at this stage,” stressed the statement.
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, it explained.
“The Special Tribunal for Lebanon cannot award compensation to victims for the harm they suffered,” it added.
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, concluded the statement.
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