The Internationalization of the Judgment of Terrorism: The Special Tribunal for Lebanon Precedent (Une Justice Pénale Internationalisée Pour Juger Le Terrorisme: Réflexions À Propos Du Tribunal Spécial Pour Le Liban)

Abstract

This paper (in French) was originally presented at a conference at Paris I University on the internationalization of the judgment of terrorist acts. It examines the contribution that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) might make to the fight against terrorism. The paper contextualizes the STL as both part of the evolution of the international treatment of terrorism, and the development of international criminal justice. It finds the tribunal to be somewhat unusual on both counts. The potential of the tribunal is then assessed from a triple angle: effectivity, equity and legitimacy. The conclusion stresses the need to adapt to the specificities of the Lebanese situation, the inevitable difficulties that the tribunal will face, and how its very selectivity may undermine its mandate.