More than two years after the Beirut blast, victims are waiting for justice. Australia can do more
ABCThis month marked two-and-a-half years since the devastating explosion at the Beirut Port. Loading Australia can stand up In March 2021, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, then in opposition, issued a statement calling on the Morrison government to work with Lebanon and the international community to deliver an independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into the Beirut port explosion. In our call Wong reiterated Australia's commitment to justice and accountability for the Beirut blast victims. Wong can uphold Australia's commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law by leading on a joint statement at the upcoming session condemning the outrageous political interference with Lebanon's domestic investigation and calling for an international fact-finding mission to establish the facts and circumstances, including the root causes of the explosion. Australia should stand with the more than 162 Lebanese and international rights groups, dozens of Lebanese members of parliament, survivors, and families of the victims who have been asking members of the Human Rights Council to support a resolution establishing an international investigation.