On the occasion of February 6, the International Day of Commemoration for the Dead and Missing at Borders and at Sea, Cedar Centre for Legal Studies organized a solidarity meeting at the Bahsas Roundabout, the southern entrance of Tripoli, northern Lebanon.

This event was attended by several prominent figures, including the president of Tripoli municipality, Dr. Riad Yamak, representatives of the city’s deputies, unions, local and international associations, civil society organizations, media, and the families of the victims of the April, Cyprus, and Tartus boats. These individuals lost their lives attempting to cross borders or the sea in search of a better and more dignified life.

The occasion was an opportunity to express solidarity with these victims and their families, and to remind everyone of their suffering in the face of migration challenges and the risks many faces in their journey for a dignified life.

The event began with the Lebanese national anthem, followed by a welcoming speech from Cedar Center for Legal Studies lawyer Samah Issa, who thanked the attendees saying: “We thank you for responding to our invitation for this day titled ‘Yes to Freedom of Movement, No to Forgetting and No to Forgiveness.’ This day, which coincides with February 6, marks the International Day of Commemoration for the Dead and Missing at Borders and at Sea.”

In the same context, there was a touching intervention from the living martyr and drowning survivor Ghazi Kaddour, who said: “A sincere tribute to all who faced death in search of a dignified life. I am the living drowned martyr, having lost my brother Mohammad Kaddour, who drowned in the death boat on April 23, 2022. This dark date is still engraved in my memory. I address His Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic, Joseph Aoun: You swore your first oath during your career as a commander of the Lebanese army, and then your second oath when you became President of Lebanese Republic in front of us, the ambassadors, and the whole world. We hope that during your tenure, under the oath you swore, you will look into the case of the sunken boat that sank on April 23, 2022, and achieve justice by holding those responsible for this heinous crime against us and the innocent people of Tripoli. We also hope that these victims will receive the justice and compensation they rightfully deserve for their suffering.” 

The Director of the Legal Program at the Cedar Center for Legal Studies, Mr. Mohammad Sablouh, gave a special speech addressing the media and the families of the missing, saying: “I sincerely thank you for attending despite the bad weather conditions, on the occasion of February 6, the International Day of Commemoration for the Dead and Missing at Borders and at Sea. This event is being carried out in more than 23 countries in solidarity with the missing who have not yet received justice. Today, we feel the deep tragedy in all its dimensions with these martyrs we lost at sea. Our slogan today is clear: If there is no justice, there will be no peace.”

“The families of the missing only demand justice. When they left the country from different nationalities, they were looking for hope in a dignified life they couldn’t find in their homeland. But for their rights to be violated afterward is something that cannot be ignored or accepted.”

It is important to point out the legal trajectory of three boats that departed from Lebanon. The boat that sank off in the Lebanese coast on April 23, 2022, the Tartous boat in September 2022, and the Cyprus boat in December 2023, where 85 people went missing and their fate is still unknown, with no information about them until now.

The people of Tripoli experienced a tragedy and suffering due to the sinking of the April boat, and no one has been held accountable for this crime until today. Our first demand was to refer the case to the Judicial Council. When we asked former Prime Minister Najib Mikati to refer the case, it was not referred but was sent to the Military Public Prosecution.

Unfortunately, after more than a year, the Government Commissioner to the Military Court dismissed it and considered that there was no crime, but rather filed charges against the owners of the boat and referred the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in the North, which in turn dismissed the case and closed it.

We collaborated with specialized associations to produce an investigative report in the form of a 3D video reenacting the crime, and we proved with conclusive evidence the identity of the perpetrator of the crime, and we submitted it to the judiciary to expand the investigations and uncover the truth.

 The cases of the Tartous and Cyprus boats are still under review by an investigating judge in the North, hoping to uncover the truth and achieve justice for the migrant victims in the coming days.
“We will continue our legal path until we achieve justice in the case of the missing at sea. It is worth mentioning that about two weeks ago, the Prime Minister approved and instructed the High Relief Committee to provide assistance to the families of the missing in the April boat, as a result of continuous pressure and follow-up. No right is lost as long as someone claims it.”
“We have submitted a draft law aiming to consider the victims of the April boat as martyrs of the Lebanese army. Ten deputies representing Tripoli in the House of Representatives have signed it. The project is now in the hands of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nabih Berri, so we ask the council to reconsider and approve it, ensuring that the victims of the April boat are regarded as martyrs of the Lebanese army and enabling their families to receive the deserved compensations.”

Sablouh concluded his speech by saying: “Justice must continue, and it must be applied to everyone. If there is no justice, there will be no peace. His Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic, Joseph Aoun, swore an oath on the independence of the judiciary and the application of justice. Today, we await justice and the uncovering of facts related to these cases, especially the files of the three boats: the April boat, Cyprus, and Tartus.”

Finally, Jihad Mutlij, father of the forcibly disappeared in Lebanon, Hashem Mutlij, addressed His Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic, who adopted this cause, urging him to achieve justice and help the families uncover the fate of their children.

The event included a live painting inspired by the true story of the living drowning martyr Ghazi Kaddour, who lost his brother to drowning in front of his eyes. Artist Mohammad Al-Abrash prepared this painting in memory of the dead and missing at borders and at sea. It was unveiled at the end of the event, where a group photos were taken featuring deputies and dignitaries from the region alongside the families of the missing in front of the painting.