On 6 February of each year, the world dedicates a day to commemorate those who lost their lives or remain missing while attempting to cross land borders and seas. It is a day of reflection on the human tragedies that accompany the search for safety and dignity, far from war, poverty, and violations of fundamental rights, and a reminder that behind every number lies a painful human story that deserves to be told.

On this day, our role goes beyond remembrance, it extends to acknowledging the ongoing suffering and deep trauma endured by survivors of irregular migration, as well as the families of victims and the missing. They live between the anguish of loss and the bitter wait for truth, while survival or bereavement marks the beginning of a long journey of psychological, social, and economic hardship. This is a prolonged tragedy that demands a comprehensive and responsible humanitarian response, placing human dignity at its core.

From this perspective, Cedar Centre for Legal Studies emphasizes that the rehabilitation of victims of irregular migration and their families is the cornerstone of any serious humanitarian approach to this issue. Survivors require specialized psychological and social support to overcome the effects of trauma, as well as legal protection to safeguard their rights and dignity. Families, meanwhile, are in urgent need of continuous accompaniment, clear and transparent information about the fate of their loved ones, and mechanisms of justice that recognize their suffering and put an end to policies of marginalization and neglect.

In this context, we reiterate that irregular migration is not a free choice but a direct consequence of the absence of protection, policy failures, and worsening political, economic, and social crises. Borders and seas have become arenas of death, extinguishing the dreams of youth and families in a tragic scene that repeats itself amid troubling international silence.

We also affirm that awareness and prevention are fundamental pillars in curbing this deadly phenomenon. The absence of accurate information, the spread of misleading narratives about so-called “safe migration” by sea, and the proliferation of hate speech all drive many to risk their lives and the lives of their children. Launching community awareness campaigns based on reliable facts and lived experiences is a necessary step to expose the real dangers of irregular migration and dismantle the networks that exploit people’s despair, turning their suffering into a trade in death.

Accordingly, Cedar Centre for Legal Studies stresses the need for the Lebanese state, relevant authorities, and the international community to adopt a comprehensive package of interconnected practical recommendations, as follows:

First: Awareness and Prevention of Irregular Migration Risks

• Develop and implement a national plan to raise awareness of the dangers of irregular migration, clearly addressing the risks of drowning, human trafficking, and fraud.
• Link awareness efforts to individual rights and available protection mechanisms inside and outside Lebanon, ensuring decisions are based on knowledge rather than despair.
• Launch sustainable field awareness programs, prioritizing marginalized and impoverished communities, particularly in Tripoli and northern Lebanon.

Second: Rehabilitation and Comprehensive Support for Victims and Families

• Establish specialized programs for the rehabilitation of survivors of irregular migration, including psychological, social, health, and legal support.
• Provide continuous accompaniment for the families of the dead and missing, including psychological and social support, and guarantee their right to truth and knowledge.

Third: Hotlines, Early Warning, and Protection Against Exploitation

• Create a free, confidential, multilingual national hotline under the direct supervision of the competent Lebanese authorities, dedicated to receiving urgent requests for assistance in cases of danger and disaster, before, during, and after the journey.
• Enable the hotline to receive complaints related to human trafficking, exploitation, and violations, ensuring the protection of whistleblowers, and link hotlines to rapid response mechanisms, international alert systems, and protection organizations inside and outside Lebanon.

Fourth: Justice, Accountability, and Protection of Human Dignity

• Conduct serious and transparent investigations into cases of drowning and disappearance, ensuring accountability of those responsible.
• Guarantee respect for the human rights of migrants and refugees without discrimination, particularly the right to life, dignity, and protection against refoulement.

Fifth: Local Partnerships, Referral Mechanisms, and Community Protection

• Strengthen cooperation between municipalities, especially Tripoli and northern municipalities, civil society organizations, and human rights and humanitarian actors.
• Support municipalities in implementing awareness campaigns, providing safe spaces for educational sessions, and engaging community leaders to build trust and reach all groups without discrimination, including Lebanese, Syrians, and Palestinians of all ages and genders.

We affirm that the crisis of irregular migration is not about numbers or statistics; it is an open human wound affecting individuals, families, and communities, particularly in Lebanon. Addressing this crisis requires genuine political will and international cooperation grounded in respect for human rights, justice, and solidarity.

In conclusion, Cedar Centre for Legal Studies renews its unwavering commitment to protecting human dignity and the right to life, defending the rights of victims and survivors, and working earnestly to prevent the recurrence of these tragedies.

An eternal remembrance for the dead, renewed hope for the missing, and safeguarded rights for their families.

6 February 2026