UN coordinator stresses 'urgency of securing justice' in port blast case
Jean Arnault, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), noted Tuesday that "time has not erased the pain of those whose lives were irrevocably changed in a matter of seconds" due to the 2020 Beirut port blast, nor has it diminished "the urgency of securing justice."
In a statement marking the sixth anniversary of the tragedy, Arnault expressed his "unwavering solidarity with all those affected" and paid tribute to "their relentless pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability."
"A disaster of this magnitude cannot become an abandoned chapter in history. Rather, efforts must be redoubled to advance the judicial proceedings and bring them to a conclusive outcome," Arnault added, calling on all relevant actors to "take the necessary steps to facilitate swift progress in the case."
"Despite the more recent security and humanitarian challenges facing Lebanon, the silent suffering of thousands who were directly or indirectly affected by this tragedy remains profound. Justice delayed is justice denied, and the right of victims, survivors, and all the people of Lebanon to accountability must be upheld without further delay," Arnault emphasized.
He added that the 2020 explosion is "a tragic reminder of broader institutional vulnerabilities," adding that "an impartial, independent and transparent judicial process is essential to breaking the cycle of impunity, restoring public trust, and upholding the rule of law."
Moreover, Arnault underscored the importance of advancing structural reforms to "strengthen and safeguard the independence of the judiciary as a cornerstone of effective state-building and Lebanon’s reform agenda."
"On this somber occasion, the United Nations stands firmly alongside the people of Lebanon and affirms that the path towards genuine national recovery and the extension of the State’s authority is inextricably linked to the attainment of justice," Arnault went on to say.
Source: Naharnet
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