Lebanese authorities have failed in the past six months to deliver any justice for the catastrophic explosion at Beirut’s port on August 4, 2020, Human Rights Watch said today. The stalled domestic investigation, riddled with serious due process violations, as well as political leaders’ attempts to stop the investigation reinforce the need for an independent, international inquiry.
The investigation has been paused since December 17, 2020, after two former ministers charged in the case filed a motion asking Lebanon’s Court of Cassation replace the investigating judge, Fadi Sawan. It is not clear when the investigation will resume. Sawan has, since August, brought charges against 37 people, 25 of whom are detained under conditions that appear to violate their due process rights. Those detained are mostly mid to low-level customs, port, and security officials; and their families and lawyers say that the judicial authorities have not yet presented the specific charges or evidence against them.
Source: Lebanon: No Justice 6 Months After Blast | Human Rights Watch








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