UN human rights experts on Thursday called for an independent and rapid investigation into the explosion that ravaged Beirut, expressing their concern at the “impunity” they claim to Lebanese political leaders.
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This group of experts also requested that the United Nations Human Rights Council, headquartered in Geneva, have a special meeting in September on this issue, an unusual request. United Nations experts are mandated by the institution and report to it but do not speak on its behalf. Lebanese President Michel Aoun has already rejected the idea of an international investigation into the explosion in the port of Beirut.
"Irresponsibility and impunity"
"We support the calls for the opening of a prompt, impartial, credible and independent investigation based on human rights principles, to examine all demands, fears and needs related to the explosion, as well as the gaps underlying respect for human rights , ” said 38 experts in a joint statement. The investigation, they added, should be able to explore "all the systemic failings on the part of the Lebanese authorities and institutions in the field of human rights protection . " "We are very worried about the level of irresponsibility and impunity that prevails in a human and environmental disaster of such magnitude" , can we still read in the declaration.
The investigation should be carried out with respect for the anonymity of victims and witnesses and its findings be made public, the experts still claimed.