Confronting The Legacy Of Political Violence In Lebanon: An Agenda For Change

The recommendations of this report were developed by a consortium of over 20 NGOs and published in 2014, targeting the state authorities. They ask for a comprehensive set of political, legal, administrative, and social measures or reforms specifically designed to address the legacy of the 1975–1990 war in Lebanon and the resulting ongoing cycle of political violence. The recommendations were framed by the foundational approaches of transitional justice, namely truth-seeking, reparation, accountability and institutional reform. The consortium came together in December 2015 to reflect together on the implementation of the recommendations. ICTJ developed this consortium based on the following series of studies:

Lebanon's Legacy of Political Violence: A Mapping of Serious Violations of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in Lebanon, 1975-2008:
Published in 2013, this report compiles information on events and specific incidents as well as more general patterns of serious violations against civilians and other people in Lebanese territory between February 1975 and December 2008. As such, its objective is to be a stepping stone in the growing debate about the need to address the legacy of the civil war and to recognise civilians’ suffering. This report was produced to feed in ICTJ’s consortium and its policy recommendations ‘Confronting the Legacy of Political Violence In Lebanon: An Agenda For Change’.

Failing to Deal with The Past, What Cost for Lebanon?
Published in 2013, this report analyses the persistent situation of impunity in Lebanon and its consequences through the lens and framework of the four pillars of transitional justice: prosecution, truth seeking, reparation, and institutional reform. This report was produced to feed in ICTJ’s consortium and its policy recommendations ‘Confronting the Legacy of Political Violence in Lebanon: An Agenda for Change’.

How People Talk About the Lebanon Wars: A Study of the Perceptions and Expectations in Greater Beirut
This report examines wartime experiences and the attitudes and expectations of residents in Greater Beirut regarding measures to confront Lebanon’s legacy of political violence. The report documents how members of different segments of Lebanese society perceive and talk about issues relating to truth and memory, justice and accountability, reconciliation, and social reform. It is conceived to be used by researchers, policymakers, and community members working in these areas. The study is based on 15 focus group discussions held in different neighbourhoods in Greater Beirut in 2013. This research report was published in 2014 to feed in ICTJ’s consortium and its policy recommendations ‘Confronting the Legacy of Political Violence in Lebanon: An Agenda for Change’.