Caretaker Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, sent a letter to United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, regarding the latest developments related to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
The letter reads: "As you know, the United Nations General Assembly has allocated an additional $15,503,355 to supplement the STL’s financial resources. This subsidy was approved thanks to your tireless efforts and sincere interest, and with the support of Member States that have shown their keenness on securing the necessary funding to allow the Tribunal to complete its remaining judicial proceedings.
In this regard, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Affairs recommended “the adoption of this subsidy to fill the possible shortfall in Lebanon’s share only, that is due to the Tribunal.”
Although the above-mentioned subsidy contributed, to some extent, to partly addressing the difficulties faced by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, it did not solve the financial problem as a whole. Unfortunately, most of the voluntary contributions expected by the STL to finance its budget, and which were mentioned in your request for assistance, did not materialize. (Reference: Secretary General’s Report dated February 19, 2021, para. 50) We would also like to point out that even the “expected shortfall in voluntary contributions from other donors”, which you have sought to provide through the subsidy, is still not covered. (Reference: Report of the Advisory Committee dated March 19, 2021, para. 21). Therefore, the Tribunal is facing serious financial challenges that may hinder its ability to continue its work, as planned, for the current year 2021.
Such a matter has very serious consequences, and its repercussions will not be limited only to Lebanon and the victims of the barbaric and outrageous attack on former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and their families, not to mention other issues that fall within the jurisdiction of the Tribunal, but also on the ability of international judicial institutions to fully serve justice.
Indeed, the most painful consequences of the cessation of the STL's work lie in the reflection of a fragmented and incomplete justice for all those who demand justice and those who have faith in the rule of law and the prevention of evasion of justice as necessary and integral prerequisites for living in peace, security and harmony.
While we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the STL, we firmly believe that these financial difficulties should not hinder the completion of its work to the end. I also very much hope that the Administrative Committee of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the “Group of Interested States” that share the founding principles of the Tribunal with Lebanon, will continue to provide it with the much-needed support at such a critical time in its history and to fulfill its full responsibility.
In view of the challenges facing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and taking into account the ongoing acute crises that Lebanon suffers from and which are reflected in your report of February 19, 2021, the Government of Lebanon would be grateful to Your Excellency for urgently exploring different and alternative means of financing the Tribunal with the Security Council and the Member States, to assist it in carrying out its mission in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1757 (2007) and the relevant agreement between the United Nations and the Republic of Lebanon regarding the establishment of the Tribunal annexed thereto, and in follow-up of United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/Res/75/253B dated April 16, 2021.
Please accept, Mr. Secretary-General, my highest consideration and gratitude."
Political Major Decisions For Lebanon
