A woman holding a sign during a rally in support of the families of the victims of the explosion at the port of Beirut, on Jan. 29, 2023 in Paris. (Credit: Lucile Wassermann/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — A few dozen demonstrators gathered on Sunday afternoon in Paris, on Victor Hugo Square, to express their support for Judge Tarek Bitar, who is in charge of the investigation into the deadly Aug. 4, 2020, explosion at the port of Beirut, as well as for the families of the more than 220 victims of the tragedy that shook Lebanon.
This gathering was held at the initiative of several collectives and groups, including the Mada network, Li Hakki, Meghterbine Mejtemiine and the National Bloc.
A few dozen people at a rally in support of the families of the victims of the explosion at the port of Beirut, on Jan. 29, 2023 in Paris. (Credit: Lucile Wassermann/ L'Orient Today)
The sit-in comes after the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Ghassan Oueidat, who is reputed to be close to several political parties, filed charges against Judge Bitar on Wednesday, and decided to release all suspects detained in the investigation. Oueidat's decisions were viewed by many observers as politically motivated and aimed at blocking the investigation in order to protect the ruling political class, which is accused by a segment of the population of having done nothing to prevent the explosion of a massive quantity of ammonium nitrate that had been stored for years without safety measures at the port.
The end of the rule of law
Sadness was palpable during this demonstration attended by representatives of various Lebanese political parties, including the National Bloc and the Kataeb (whose MP Salim Sayegh was at the protest). But the demonstrators insisted on the apolitical nature of the rally.
"This is officially the end of the rule of law in Lebanon," lamented Paul Naggear, who lost his daughter Alexandra in the blast and was visiting Paris. "We were holding on to the investigation and they want to take that away from us today," he said, speaking during the rally. "We are here to fight, to show that we are united. We must not lose hope."
Paul Naggear, the father of Alexandra, a little girl killed by the explosion at the port of Beirut, speaking on Jan. 29, 2023 during a rally in Paris. (Credit: Lucile Wassermann/L'Orient Today)
"We must free Lebanon from the mafias that run the country to get justice," said Elie, 47, who has lived in France since 2019. "It's been three years and there are still no culprits. Lebanon continues to function as if nothing had happened, while hundreds of families are torn apart. It hurts. I don't have words, nobody has words."
"No impunity for criminals," reads a sign held up by a demonstrator during a rally in support of the families of the victims of the explosion at the port of Beirut, Jan. 29, 2023 in Paris. (Credit: Lucile Wassermann/L'Orient Today)
"We demand the rule of law, just the rule of law," another protester, Samir Hneine, said. "Every citizen should be able to be protected by justice. The latest developments give us hope because we thought it was over, that the investigation was at a standstill, but we have new hope that it will move today. Judge Bitar must continue. It shows how these parties interfere with justice," he added.
Aline, in her 50s, has lived in France for 30 years. "I feel a little helpless and sad when I see so few people coming together. But it must go on. And we need Judge Bitar to continue his work. He gives us hope," she says.
Rai's support
In his Sunday homily, the head of the Maronite Church Bechara al-Rai expressed hope that Bitar "will continue his work to clarify the truth, publish an indictment and ask for the help of any international reference that can help reveal the truth" about the catastrophe.
In Beirut, the anger of the victims' families erupted on Thursday in front of the Justice Palace. Clashes took place between relatives of victims and the police, who used batons and tear gas. Protesters demonstrating in front of the Justice Palace on Saturday called for the dismissal of prosecutor Oueidat.
Earlier this month, State Security briefly detained William Noun, spokesman for one of the groups representing the families of the victims of the Beirut port explosion, following a protest against the long suspension of the investigation. The demonstration degenerated into a confrontation with the security forces, during which the protesters threw stones and other objects at the Beirut courthouse building, breaking windows. Several other relatives of the victims were taken in for questioning, sparking public outrage.
