Head of Defense Office Francois Roux Leaving the STL
The Head of the Defense Office of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, François Roux, is leaving the Tribunal on March 1, 2018, the STL said on Wednesday.
“Mr. Roux has not been reappointed due to the fact that he has passed the retirement age set at 65 by the STL Staff Rules and Regulations,” the tribunal explained in a statement.
Roux joined the STL on March 9, 2009, after 38 years of “distinguished legal practice before national and international courts and tribunals,” the STL said.
The STL is the first international tribunal to have a Defense Office as an organ that is equal in standing to the other three – Chambers, the Office of the Prosecutor and the Registry. The purpose of the establishment of the Defense Office was to “strengthen the protection of the rights of the defense and to provide support and assistance to defense counsel,” the STL said in its Wednesday statement.
“During Mr. Roux’s tenure, the STL Defense Office developed into a strong and fully functioning organ, unique in the international legal landscape,” the STL added.
The Tribunal’s President Judge Ivana Hrdličková lauded Roux’s contribution saying: “Francois Roux went to an enormous effort to make the Defense Office at the STL – a novelty amongst international criminal tribunals upon its creation – a fully independent, highly professional organ, dedicated to promoting the equality of arms in judicial proceedings and to ensure that it became a landmark institution for international criminal justice.”
The Tribunal’s Prosecutor Norman Farrell commended Roux for his contribution to STL's work, wishing him “best of luck for his future projects.”
The Tribunal’s Registrar Daryl Mundis joined the STL President and the Prosecutor in commending Roux and added the following: “The Defense Office under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Roux has contributed to the work of the tribunal by providing solid support to the defense teams as they contribute to the critical fact-finding role undertaken by the judges. The values which Mr. Roux fought tirelessly for over many years and around the world will be carried forward by countless advocates who learned from him and who form an important part of his legacy.”
Following Roux’s departure and in accordance with Article 13 of the STL Statute, the United Nations Secretary-General, in consultation with the President of the Special Tribunal, will appoint the new Head of the Defense Office.
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/242172 |