Lebanon has taken a monumental step towards seeking justice for war crimes committed on its territory by declaring acceptance of the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move, according to Human Rights Watch, marks a historic moment in the pursuit of accountability. In recent months, Lebanon has accused Israel of repeatedly violating its sovereignty and committing violations of international law. The ongoing conflict between the Israeli army and Hezbollah group has resulted in the deaths of at least 70 civilians, including children, rescue personnel, and journalists.
A recent investigation by Reuters found that cross-border bombings have led to such devastating consequences. Among the journalists killed was Issam Al-Abdullah, a Reuters correspondent who lost his life in an Israeli tank attack on October 13th. The Lebanese caretaker government made a decision to direct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit a declaration to the ICC, accepting its jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute crimes committed on Lebanese territory since October 7th.
In addition to this move, the government also requested an independent research institute’s report be included in their complaints to the United Nations regarding Israeli violations. The report focused on Issam Al-Abdullah’s killing and was based on evidence collected from the scene as well as video and audio materials. Despite not being full members of the ICC, Lebanon’s declaration would allow the court to investigate crimes and hold trials within a specified time frame.
Human Rights Watch praised Lebanon’s move towards seeking justice for war crimes committed in their country. They urged foreign ministers to quickly formalize this step by submitting the declaration to the ICC so that those responsible for these heinous acts can face consequences in a courtroom. This action serves as a reminder that no one is above the law when it comes to human rights abuses and atrocities committed during wartime.
