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Beirut, August 5, 2025 — Human rights organizations have condemned Lebanese authorities for their continued failure to provide justice for victims of the August 4, 2020 Beirut port explosion, which killed at least 236 people, injured over 7,000, and devastated large sections of the capital. The blast, caused by the detonation of improperly stored ammonium nitrate, remains one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history.
⚖️ Justice Delayed, Accountability Denied
Despite repeated calls from domestic and international actors, Lebanon has yet to conduct a credible, independent, and impartial investigation. The inquiry, led by Judge Tarek Bitar, has faced persistent obstruction from political leaders and state officials seeking to avoid prosecution.
Many high-level figures, including former ministers and members of parliament, have refused to appear for questioning, invoking immunity and filing lawsuits to derail the process. In 2023, former public prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat filed charges against Judge Bitar, suspended the investigation, and ordered the release of detainees.
A partial breakthrough occurred in early 2025 when interim top prosecutor Jamal Hajjar reversed prior decisions, allowing Bitar to resume his work. Former Prime Minister Hassan Diab and two senior security officials complied with questioning, but others—such as MPs Ali Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zaiter—continue to evade accountability.
🗣️ Human Rights Groups Demand Action
Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International have sharply criticized the Lebanese government’s inaction. Amnesty’s Lebanon campaigner Reina Wehbi stated:
“Justice delayed is justice denied. The families of those killed and injured in the Beirut explosion have waited an intolerable five years. They must not be forced to endure another year of impunity.”
A 2021 HRW report concluded that the explosion resulted from state negligence and may constitute a violation of the right to life under international law.
🏛️ Political Promises and Legal Barriers
President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have pledged support for the investigation. However, rights groups warn that without judicial independence and legal reforms, meaningful accountability will remain elusive.
The case has become a litmus test for Lebanon’s commitment to human rights, rule of law, and institutional integrity amid broader political and economic instability.
Sources:
- Excerpts from jurist.org article by Alexandra Bennett | U. Pittsburgh School of Law, US
