Security Council

My hope is that governments, and in particular the so-called domestic ministries, will open their eyes and recognize that the future of their countries not only depends on how they deal domestically with education, public health, environment, science, crime, etc., but at least as much on how other countries deal with these issues. If they recognize that, the importance of strengthening the UN system will be self-evident.

The relationship between peace and justice is a convoluted one. History reveals that justice has mostly been subordinate to the cravings for peace. In the wake of international armed conflicts or civil wars, war criminals have usually benefitted from amnesties or have simply been left untouched. While the opinion ‘to let bygones be bygones’ may certainly not be shared by everyone, war fatigue, lack of political power and the urge to turn over a new leaf are factors that contribute to the policy of burying the past.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon has jurisdiction over the attack of 14 February 2005 resulting in the death of Hariri and the death or injury of others, as well as over other attacks occurring between 1 October 2004 and 12 December 2005 in case they are connected with the attack of 14 February 2005 and are of similar nature and gravity.