The fourth of August has returned, bringing with it pain and grief that have been suppressed for two years. Despite all the efforts made by the families of the victims of the catastrophic Beirut port explosion, the investigation remains stalled due to a lack of judicial independence and political control over the case and investigative process. In expression of the tragedy they have lived since that day, and as a continuation of their actions demanding justice and transparency in the investigation, the victims' families gathered after being falsely promised to know the truth in five days.
On the second anniversary of the explosion, the families of the victims, the injured, and the affected gathered in large numbers to participate in symbolic marches, starting from two points: the Palace of Justice and the Sami al-Jisr Park near the "An-Nahar" newspaper. The marches concluded at the immigrant statue near the port. From in front of the Palace of Justice, the families of the port explosion victims announced that "two years have passed since the massacre of the century amidst the absence of justice, which is a right for the Lebanese people and the foundation for restoring the judiciary and state." They indicated that "public pressure has revealed the maneuvers, and we will continue to strive for justice and accountability."
The families also demanded that the Minister of Finance release the judicial appointments so that Judge Bitar can continue his investigations, amend the law, impose heavy fines on those obstructing justice, and immediately lift immunities. They added from in front of the French embassy: "France has an opportunity today to stand against those responsible for diluting justice in the port explosion, and we again request the establishment of a fact-finding mission, especially since the local investigation is halted."
William Noun, the brother of martyr Jo Noun in the port explosion, stated in an interview with Voice of Lebanon that the victims' families proceed with a clear case under the rule of law and will continue to confront until they achieve justice and hold the perpetrators accountable. In a statement to "Al-Jadeed," Noun said: "61 ambassadors met today with the families of the firefighters’ martyrs at the request of the European Union, and we presented our demand for an international fact-finding committee to support the judicial investigator, and our goal is to reach a conclusive result in the investigation."
