Survivors and NGOs call for UN investigation into Beirut port blast

53 non-profits sign a letter calling on the UN to launch 'international, independent and impartial' investigation

A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of the explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP

Smoke billows from an area of a large explosion that rocked the harbour area of Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

The scene of the explosion that rocked Beirut. AFP

The harbour area with smoke billowing from an area of the explosion, Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP

The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP

The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP

The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

People gather near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

The scene of the blast in Beirut. AFP

The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

A wounded man is checked by a fireman near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

A resident stands in the street by a destroyed car, following the explosion near by at the port of Beirut. Bloomberg

Lebanese Red Cross officers carry an injured woman following an explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP

Smoke rises after the explosion was heard in Beirut. Reuters

Firefighters spray water at a blaze after the explosion in Beirut. Reuters

People walk at scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

The blast at Beirut port. Twitter/ @borzou

Army personnel around entrance to port.

The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

Sailors leave their damaged ship near the explosion in Beirut. AP Photo

A vehicle stands damaged on a road following a large explosion at the port area of Beirut. Bloomberg

Firefighters try to extinguish flames after a large explosion rocked the harbour area of Beirut. EPA

People and journalists gather at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP

An injured man sits outside American University of Beirut medical centre on August 5, 2020. Reuters

Men stand before wrecked buildings near the port. Getty Images

A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings. Getty Images

Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut medical centre. Reuters

Injured people stand after the explosion. AP Photo

People gather by cars destroyed following an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP

Wounded people wait to receive treatment outside a hospital following an explosion near the Beirut port. AFP

Dozens of survivors and more than 50 non-government organisations have called for a UN investigation into last year's deadly Beirut port blast.

More than 200 people died  in the explosion in August.

In a joint letter, 53 international and Lebanese NGOs, as well as 62 survivors and relatives of people killed in the blast, accused Lebanon's authorities of failing to conduct a transparent and thorough investigation almost 10 months on.

The investigation has been beset by delays.

In February, Fadi Sawan, the judge who was leading the probe, was removed after he accused two former ministers of criminal negligence.

"The ten months since the blast have been marked by the authorities’ obstruction, evasion and delay," the letter reads.

It added that several NGOs had “documented a range of procedural and systemic flaws in the domestic investigation that render it incapable of credibly delivering justice, including flagrant political interference, immunity for high-level political officials, lack of respect for fair trial standards, and due process violations.”

The letter said that, given local authorities' failings, only the UN would ensure the rights of victims were protected.

“It is time for the Human Rights Council to step in, heeding the calls of the families of the victims and the Lebanese people for accountability, the rule of law, and protection of human rights,” it reads.

“The Human Rights Council has the opportunity to assist Lebanon to meet its human rights obligations by conducting an investigative or fact-finding mission into the blast to identify whether conduct by the state caused or contributed to the unlawful deaths, and what steps need to be taken to ensure an effective remedy to victims.”

Aya Majzoub, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch, said without a thorough investigation, the country could be at risk of further tragedy.

“The Beirut port explosion was not an isolated or idiosyncratic incident. Rather, it was one highly dramatic illustration of the human rights impacts of decades of corruption, incompetence, impunity and mismanagement by Lebanon’s ruling elite,” Ms Majzoub said.

“Without accountability for this explosion, there is nothing stopping another disaster from happening.”

The call for an international investigation comes barely a week after the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, a UN court set up to probe the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, was forced to call off a landmark trial amid a funding crisis.

Salim Ayyash, who was already found guilty in his absence by the court of assassinating Mr Hariri, was due to stand trial for three other attempted killings this week.

His trial was, however, cancelled earlier this month.