Impunity

This paper argues that Lebanon has become "a school of impunity". Since the general amnesty law No. 84 of 1991, which spared those responsible for the crimes of the civil war from prosecution, the people behind political violence have again and again escaped any form of accountability.

It first defines impunity as international law and the United Nations principles for combating it do. It then follows impunity through Lebanese events: the civil war, 7 May 2008, the clashes between Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh in Tripoli, the Tayouneh clashes of 14 October 2021, and finally the Beirut port explosion and the obstacles that have stalled its investigation.

Its conclusion: uncovering who is responsible for the port explosion is not an easy challenge, but if those responsible are betting on time and power, the families are betting every day on their right to the truth and to justice.