On the fifth anniversary of the catastrophic Beirut Port explosion that killed at least 236 people and injured more than 7,000, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch issued a joint statement condemning the Lebanese authorities’ failure to deliver justice and truth to victims and their families.
The explosion on August 4, 2020, remains one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history. Yet, despite repeated domestic and international calls for accountability, the investigation into the causes and responsibilities has faced years of obstruction, interference, and delays.
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Judge Tarek Bitar, leading the domestic investigation, faced ongoing legal and political obstruction, including lawsuits, refusals to cooperate by top officials, and institutional non-compliance. Although the inquiry resumed in 2025 with support from newly elected leadership, including President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, full accountability remains elusive.
Human rights groups reiterated the need for:
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An independent and obstruction-free investigation
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Judicial reforms to close legal loopholes used to shield officials from accountability
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A transparent process that ensures the full chain of responsibility is revealed
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” said Reina Wehbi, Lebanon Campaigner at Amnesty International.
“This is a test of Lebanon’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law,” said Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon Researcher at Human Rights Watch.
The National Human Rights Commission of Lebanon, including its Committee for the Prevention of Torture, joins the call for truth, justice, and accountability, and underscores the urgency of protecting the integrity of Lebanon’s judicial processes.
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