Tripoli, 7 October 2025

On 7 October 2025, the Cedar Centre for Legal Studies (CCLS) hosted Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, during his official country visit to Lebanon (29 September – 10 October 2025). The meeting took place at the Centre’s premises in Al Nour Square, Tripoli, as part of the Special Rapporteur’s consultations with civil society organizations, legal experts, and human rights defenders across the country.

Dr. Tidball-Binz was accompanied by Ms. Yasmin Ashraf, Human Rights Officer at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva.

Prior to the visit, CCLS had submitted a detailed written input. The submission highlighted Lebanon’s systemic shortcomings in protecting the right to life and presented two emblematic case studies:

1. The April 2022 Tripoli Boat Incident, in which dozens of migrants drowned under disputed circumstances after their vessel allegedly collided with a Lebanese Navy corvette.
2. The Death of Syrian Refugee Bashar Abed Al-Saud in State Security custody in August 2022, where forensic evidence confirmed torture as the cause of death, yet the military court reclassified the charges and sentenced the perpetrators to time served.

The submission also addressed broader issues such as politically influenced investigations, lack of independence of forensic institutions, and the persistent use of military courts to handle cases involving security agencies. It included recommendations calling for independent investigative mechanisms, the implementation of the Minnesota Protocol, and reparations for victims’ families.

During the meeting, lawyer Mohamad Sablouh, Director of the Legal Support Program, and Saadeddine Shatila, Executive Director of CCLS, briefed Dr. Tidball-Binz and Ms. Ashraf on ongoing documentation and advocacy concerning arbitrary detentions, torture, and unlawful deaths in custody. They discussed the lack of accountability in the judiciary, deficiencies in forensic investigations, and the urgent need for independent oversight in cases involving deaths during detention or military operations.

Dr. Tidball-Binz emphasized that Lebanon should establish a national medico-legal institute to ensure the independence and professionalism of forensic investigations. He stressed that all deaths — whether natural, accidental, or suspicious — must be investigated in line with the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Deaths, to guarantee transparency, truth, and justice for families.

Dr. Tidball-Binz commended CCLS for its rigorous documentation and persistent efforts to promote accountability and protect the right to life.

The meeting concluded with CCLS reaffirming its commitment to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur’s mandate and the OHCHR, share follow-up information, and continue its advocacy for the establishment of independent forensic and judicial mechanisms that uphold the right to life and accountability in Lebanon.