The investigation should also consider Lebanon's international obligations governing the handling of dangerous substances and the right of everyone to information on risks to life and health. The findings and recommendations of the investigation should be made public. The investigation, as well as other actions linked to the disaster, must also protect the privacy as well as the confidentiality of the identities and testimony of victims, witnesses, associates, colleagues and their families. Any such investigation should integrate a gender-lens and must also grant victims and their relatives effective access to the investigative process, respecting their right to be informed and to participate. The investigation should be protected from any undue influence and be given a strong and broad mandate to effectively probe any systemic failures of the Lebanese authorities and institutions to protect human rights. We support calls for a prompt, impartial, credible and independent investigation based on human rights principles, to examine all claims, concerns and needs in relation to the explosion as well as the underlying human rights failures. We are concerned that this tragedy will expose cracks in the executive, legislative, and justice institutions, leading to delays and challenges in ensuring effective remedies for all those affected. This has resulted in a failure to ensure protection of the rights of all without discrimination, including the rights to life, personal liberty, health, housing, food, water, education, and to a healthy environment. This explosion and its aftermath have brought into focus systemic problems, a deficit of good governance, and allegations of widespread corruption. They must act rapidly and comprehensively to prevent the loss of lives and disastrous health and environmental consequences. In the face of such risk, governments cannot simply sit back. Under international environmental and human rights law, States and businesses have a duty to take action to confront the risks posed by hazardous substances. Special attention needs to be paid to older persons, persons with disabilities, and others who may be in particularly vulnerable situations and who are disproportionately affected during emergencies. All people also have the right to know the risks of toxic exposure to the nitrous oxide and other pollutants released to the air over the city on their health. Such information must be available, accessible and functional, in a manner consistent with the principle of non-discrimination.Īccording to a number of reports, pollutants released by the explosion are leading to severe air and other environmental contamination across Beirut. All Lebanese, civil society and affected communities must be able to freely influence government decision-making during this critical moment, including in relation to the coordination, oversight and delivery of any foreign aid.Įveryone in Lebanon has the right to information about the health and environmental risks posed by stockpiles of dangerous substances. We also call on the national authorities to allow peaceful protests and to protect demonstrators and journalists. At this stage, urgent assistance, support and reparation to victims are essential, without discrimination. With the Port of Beirut and the country's main grain storage silos almost completely destroyed, as well as the hospitals and medical equipment severely impacted, the capacity of the authorities to meet their obligations to protect the rights to food, adequate housing and the right to health are also seriously diminished. The catastrophic blast occurred while Lebanon is already confronted by a devastating political, economic and financial crisis, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a sharp deterioration of human rights protection and much suffering.Īs of today, approximately 170 people have lost their lives, thousands are wounded, at least 300,000 are now homeless, and dozens are missing. We are deeply concerned about the level of irresponsibility and impunity surrounding human and environmental devastation on this scale. "The scale and impact of the lethal explosion are unprecedented. GENEVA (13 August 2020) – The colossal deadly explosion in Beirut on 4 August requires a prompt and independent investigation that underscores international human rights obligations, clarifies responsibilities related to the explosion, and leads to justice and accountability, UN human rights experts* said today.
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