Lebanon not acting on civilian deaths
Human Rights Watch said Thursday only one indictment has taken place regarding the deaths of civilians during fighting in Lebanon last year.
The non-governmental organization said in a release that Lebanon”s judiciary system had only issued a single indictment in the year since opposition and pro-government groups clashed in May 2008.
The fighting was blamed for at least 110 deaths, including numerous civilians. While both sides reached a political settlement on May 21 to end the bloodshed in Beirut, neither side specifically addressed attacks on civilians and civilian property during the clashes.
Nadim Houry, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the best way to break the "cycle" of covering up such civilian attacks is to move forward with charges against the guilty.
"Lebanon”s past conflicts make it clear that agreements to stop fighting will not last if they sweep punishment for attacks on civilians under the rug," Houry said. "The only way to break this cycle is for the Lebanese people to hold those responsible accountable.