Survivors of gendered crimes along with I/NGOs issue recommendations of public acknowledgement, service provision and memorialisation of gendered crimes during the Lebanese Civil Wars [EN/AR]

BEIRUT – 14/07/2023 – for immediate release

Following on from a first-of-its-kind preliminary investigation and subsequent report documenting the horrific gendered crimes in the Lebanese Civil Wars (1975–1990) six survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) along with five I/NGOs are now issuing demands to address these crimes and recommending steps to achieve justice.

While the crimes the victims and survivors endured in the Lebanese Civil Wars continue to impact their lives, no justice has been reached nor any reparations have been provided. Due to the complete lack of accountability and culture of impunity rampant in Lebanon, they have been forced to live knowing that many of the perpetrators continue to hold high positions of power.

Transitional justice and truth-telling is of utmost importance to those who have survived SGBV in the Lebanese Civil Wars.

As said by a 55-year-old SGBV survivor:

“Society is going through a crisis, and they don’t want to open closed books. The war is still going on, our practices and our speeches are still similar to that of the war. We must take action to break this cycle.”

The SGBV during the Lebanese Civil Wars was systemic and widespread, perpetrated by state actors as well as state and non-state aligned militias. The crimes include rape, gangrape, mass rape, genital mutilation, sexualized torture such as the electrocution of breasts and genital areas, killings of women and girls after rape, abductions and forced prostitution.

Some women and girls have been ostracised from their families or communities ever since, due to rape being used as a method of war, thus humiliating and shaming the victim and family. Rape with objects such as glass bottles was also common.

For decades victims and survivors of SGBV during the wars have been silenced. They are now issuing the following demands as a step towards transitional justice:

1. Public Acknowledgement

This would promote truth-seeking, non-recurrence and awareness-raising. Individuals would become aware of the gross human rights violations that have been committed and who the perpetrators are. As part of acknowledgment, perpetrators and concerned parties should publicly acknowledge and admit to the crimes they committed with details on the geographical areas, burial sites, names of other perpetrators acting under their command.

60-year-old SGBV survivor said:

“New generations do not know neither about what happened nor about the horrific consequences and effects of wars. Not knowing might pose a risk of recurrence. Once we work on truth-telling, awareness-raising, and transitional justice, new generations would be aware of what happened and would not think of resorting to war and violence.”

1. Service Provision

The services needed for survivors are namely legal, medical, psychological support (including establishing a healing unit) and financial support. Psychological support is a top priority for the victims and survivors of gendered crimes. Legal support is still needed which should start by raising legal awareness as to what are a person’s rights and how their issues can be resolved.

1. Memorialization

Memorialization is an indispensable transitional justice tool to acknowledge the crimes that happened, commemorate victims and survivors, and spread awareness among generations. It should also unite stories and scenarios from across a wide range of communities, regions, religions, and social characteristics.

55-year-old SGBV survivor said:

“We must focus on the social and cultural needs and aspects that resulted after the war and not the only focus on holding the perpetrators accountable. This includes focusing on what all communities went through their experiences, living conditions, stories which are common among them all regardless of their various backgrounds, religions, and region of origin. We should empower people to establish connections and linkages on similar experiences.”

1. Setting up an online archive

Many organizations and individual experts have worked on producing material on gendered crimes committed during the civil wars, as publications, art, podcasts, or videos. However, many of those materials are not made available to a wider audience or have not been given enough exposure. It is of utmost importance to collate those materials and make them accessible to the public to contribute to raising collective awareness and promoting information-sharing.

Note: This Notice is in line with LAW's previously published Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, endorsed by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, and Finland delegations in Lebanon. It serves as a reminder of our commitment to creating a just and supportive world for all individuals we serve.

https://www.legalactionworldwide.org/gender-equality-gbv/survivors-of-sexual-and-genderbased-violence-in-lebanon-call-for-the-recognition-of-this-crime-and-adequate-support-to-allsurvivors/

SIGNED BY;

Survivors of SGBV:

R.H
A.R
N.M
T.M
L.C
J.G,

I/NGOs:

Legal Action Worldwide
Justice Without Frontiers
Fighters For Peace
ICTJ
FEMALE
ABAAD MENA
RDFL
Adyan Foundation
ACT for the Disappeared
PWHO
Pax For Peace
ALEF
Permanent Peace Movement

Activists:

Carmen Hassoun Abou Jaoudé PhD, university lecturer and researcher
Soumaya Chakhtoura, Journalist
Wael Hammam, Attorney at Law, MCIArb
Firas Hatoum, Journalist
Joyce Nassar, Member at the Committee of the Families of Kidnapped and Disappeared
Hassana Jamaleddine, Member at the Committee of the Families of Kidnapped and Disappeared
Ibrahim Abed Al Aal, Executive Director of Al Houlah Association
A more detailed list of recommendations follows on the next page.

To read the full report: English | Arabic

For media interviews and requests, please contact LAW Communication Officer , Zuha Helou at Helou@legalactionworldwide.org or Fatima Shehadeh, Lebanon Programme Manager at Shehade@legalactionworldwide.org
About Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)

LAW is an independent, non-profit organisation of human rights lawyer s and jurists working in fragile and conflict-affected areas. LAW delivers access to justice to victims and vulnerable communities that have suffered human rights violations and abuses in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia through innovative legal strategies and legal aid services.