A year ago, on 4 August 2020, a deadly explosion destroyed Beirut and claimed the lives of 217 persons, injuring 7,000 with hundreds of them acquiring a physical disability. The blast also destroyed tens of thousands of homes and forcibly displaced over 300,000 people, many of whom have yet to return. Furthermore, the explosion caused invisible psychological wounds, where almost every person in Lebanon experienced trauma, anxiety, and/or mental distress.
One year later, justice is yet to be met. The Lebanese authorities have failed to hold anyone accountable for the explosion and have been obstructing the investigation and the course of justice using all means possible. These include flagrant political interference, removal of the judge leading the investigation, and claiming immunity rights for members of parliament and high-ranking officials. All this has led to delays and challenges in ensuring justice, accountability, and remedies to the victims.
We, Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB), one of the signatories to this statement, condemn all attempts to obstruct the course of justice and impede the lifting of immunities of suspects of the port explosion and demand that those responsible for the third deadliest non-nuclear blast in the world be held accountable.
Shall we not FORGET!
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