Defence Office mission to Lebanon
Leidschendam, 18 November 2009 - François Roux, the Head of the Defence Office of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and his team visited Lebanon last week to meet with Lebanese lawyers, academics and other members of civil society with the goal of briefing them about the work of their office.

The Defence Office is one of the four independent organs of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The primary duty of the Defence Office is to protect the rights of the Defence. This includes ensuring that an accused’s right to counsel is protected, defence counsel are provided with support, assistance and legal advice. In addition, the Head of Defence Office can appear before the Judges on matters of general importance to the Defence. Whereas there are no indictments at this time, the Defence Office is preparing in order to fully assume its role when this situation changes.

While in Lebanon, the Defence Office organized a seminar with the Tripoli Bar Association to brief lawyers there about the role and function of the Defence. The discussions also touched on how lawyers can become involved in the Tribunal and what lawyers can expect from the Defence Office.

In that regard, the Defence Office interviewed the first applicants to the List of Counsel. Only counsel admitted to the List are entitled to represent suspects and accused who receive legal aid. For the first time in the international and hybrid tribunals, an Admission Panel interviews persons who wish to be added to the List. The Panel determines whether an applicant meets the requirements of Rule 58 and 59 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, and thus whether a person is qualified and competent to appear before the Special Tribunal. Sixteen of the one-hundred and twenty applicants were interviewed. At this time, eleven applicants were admitted. Further interviews will be held in the near future.

As part of the Tribunal’s Outreach, the Defence Office also met with the Deans of the Faculties of Law of two Universities in Lebanon. The meetings were organized to explain the opportunities for internships at the Special Tribunal for students and young professionals. The Defence Office also highlighted its specific role within the Tribunal.

For more information regarding these issues, please contact Joeri Maas, Defence Office Coordinator at stl–defence@un.org or to + 3170 800 34 54.