On 6 February 2026, Cedar Centre for Legal Studies organized an event to honor the memory of those who lost their lives or went missing at sea and along borders. The event took place at the Abjad Theater on Syria Street – Al-Tebbaneh, Tripoli. It was attended by MPs from Tripoli, including MP Ashraf Rifi, a representative of MP Ihab Matar, Mr. Yehya Haddad, and a representative of MP Karim Kabbara, Mr. Sami Reda, as well as former MP Misbah Al-Ahdab. The National Human Rights Commission, represented by Ms. Reda Azar of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture. Representatives of civil society associations and organizations also participated, including the Rene Moawad Foundation, alongside media representatives and the families of victims of “death boats” in Tripoli and families of missing persons.

The event emphasized the importance of honoring the memory of those who lost their lives during migration attempts, standing in solidarity with their families, and highlighting the need for collective action to ensure justice and uphold human dignity for all. It also aimed to present updates on cases and the legal processes handled by Cedar Centre, including legal follow-ups and services related to “death boat” cases, notably the April, Cyprus, and Tartus boats, as well as other cases concerning missing persons and victims of maritime migration.

The program began with welcoming attendees, followed by a moment of silence for those lost at sea, accompanied by candle lighting. Ms. Julie Khoury, Coordinator of Cedar Centre for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims, delivered a speech emphasizing that commemorating 6 February is tied to a practical commitment to support victims and survivors. She highlighted the opening of the Cedar Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims in Tripoli in December 2024 as a crucial step toward providing a real path to justice and healing.

Ms. Khoury explained that the centre was established in response to an urgent need and provides comprehensive services, including psychological and social support, medical services, physical therapy, and legal assistance, within an integrated approach that respects human dignity and the right to recovery and rebuilding one’s life. She also noted that, starting December 2025, the centre’s work expanded to include victims of irregular migration and their families, emphasizing that human suffering is indivisible and that protection and rehabilitation are rights for anyone subjected to violations or torture.

She stressed the importance of rehabilitation for irregular migrants due to the deep psychological and physical impact of migration journeys, violence, exploitation, and the dangers of the sea and borders. Rehabilitation, she argued, is essential for regaining balance and rebuilding life with dignity and safety, and that protecting human beings does not end at rescue but continues through support and accompaniment in the recovery process. She concluded by asserting that the opening of the centre sends a clear message rejecting impunity, affirming victims’ rights to recovery, and reinforcing collective responsibility in protecting and supporting them. Commemorating February 6, she emphasized, is a renewed commitment to truth, accountability, and the preservation of life and human dignity.

Following this, Mr. Mohammad Sablouh, the Head of the Legal Program at Cedar Centre, delivered a speech highlighting the significant obstacles to achieving justice for the victims of “death boats,” pointing out delays and procedural stalling in judicial processes, and noting that many lives were lost without any compensation for the families of the missing. He explained that Lebanese authorities had made promises that were not fulfilled and that “death boat” cases were neither given sufficient priority nor seriously investigated, increasing the suffering of families still devastated by the loss of their children and loved ones.

Sablouh criticized the prevailing culture of preserving “institutional prestige,” warning that shielding perpetrators implicates everyone in the injustice. He cited real cases, including the Cyprus boat, on which 85 people disappeared three years ago, with investigations remaining unclear. He called for access to communication data to trace the boat’s route and condemned the downgrading of cases to minor offenses and the release of those responsible as a blatant violation of justice. He also mentioned the Tartus boat, which carried 120 people, emphasizing that justice has yet to be achieved, and that appeals had been made to the President to highlight the lack of accountability.

He pointed out that the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings has a complete list of victims, whereas the Lebanese government does not have this information. He also noted a draft law submitted about two years ago recognizing the victims of the Nisan boat as martyrs of the army, which has still not been implemented. He concluded by urging MPs from northern Lebanon to reopen the Nisan boat investigation and work diligently to restore justice to the victims’ families.

Next, Anja Pilchowski, representative of the Alarm Phone organization, spoke about the right to freedom of movement, noting that visa restrictions and the criminalization of migration push many in Lebanon to undertake dangerous sea journeys to Europe. She addressed the harsh conditions that compel people to board unsafe boats and the accompanying risks of drowning, disappearance, or detention, highlighting the organization’s role in receiving distress calls and liaising with authorities and organizations to push for rescue operations.

She also stressed that the lack of transparency and limited access to information intensifies the suffering of families searching for their loved ones, alongside challenges in identifying victims and collecting DNA samples across borders. She referenced the boat sinking near Cyprus in March 2025, explaining that the organization alerted Cypriot authorities of the boat’s distress, but information remained limited until the sinking was confirmed, resulting in victims and missing persons. She affirmed the ongoing demand for truth and accountability and emphasized solidarity with victims and their families, noting that commemorating this event in Tripoli aligns with similar struggles worldwide for the right to life and freedom of movement.

A video produced by the “Ana Hon” platform was also shown, featuring families of “death boat” victims in Tripoli, including testimonials expressing their ongoing suffering and their right to know the fate of their loved ones. The event concluded with an interactive session among participants, fostering discussion and reaffirming the need for continued human rights and humanitarian efforts to support victims and their families.

Cedar Centre for Legal Studies reaffirmed its commitment to continue working alongside victims and survivors, defending human rights, and promoting justice and accountability to ensure human dignity for all. During the event, a statement from Cedar Centre was distributed on the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration for the Dead and Missing at Sea and Along Borders, along with informational materials about the centre’s programs and rehabilitation services. Educational materials from the Alarm Phone organization were also distributed, providing guidance on sending GPS locations in emergencies during sea journeys and contact numbers for requesting assistance.

The event concluded with white flowers distributed to the families of victims and missing persons, as well as all attendees, as a gesture of peace and remembrance.