On August 4, 2021, one year after the Beirut Explosion

[BA]: [Reads excerpts from LZ’s newly-published op-ed with An-Nahar, “An open letter to donor governments: On the activism and commitment of the Lebanese people and friends of Lebanon”]

Telecommunications lines cut in the Beirut Port area where almost one million protestors are demanding justice and accountability for the criminal negligence that enabled the Beirut Explosion. Lynn Zovighian’s interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson “Connect the world” was cut off from going live, despite multiple attempts. Instead, the interview was conducted offline and some of it was later featured that same day on “Hala Gorani’s Tonight” show. Below is the full interview, which was never published. The ZPO wished to release this statement on impunity in Lebanon at the five-year mark of the Beirut Explosion as a testament to how long and challenging the fight for justice has been for survivors and the families of victims.

[Beginning of speech]

[BA]: [Inaudible question over headphone]

We are trying to do the best that we can with basic services that are no longer at our disposal. Lebanon is asking the Lebanese to still make it through. The world is asking Lebanon to keep going. But to do so today as a Lebanese means to put aside basics, to put aside dignity, and to just step forward, take it a day at a time.

[LZ]: Thank you so much.

Thank you for having me and thank you so much for talking about Beirut.

What it means to be a survivor? Let me tell you. For the first time. I've never spoken about this before. What happened on that day.

The world around us imploded, and everything that once mattered, could matter no more. I held my parents, and when the rumbling finally stopped, and the shaking finally stopped, and we saw that our house had been absolutely devastated, we looked at each other and realized, we were still alive. A miracle had happened that day and now we know that many miracles happened on that day.

But we also know that we lost so many loved ones, and that’s what it means to be a survivor today. We are alive and therefore we have to fight. So that those souls that perished, that perished on that day, they can be the founding daughters, sons, mothers, and fathers of the Lebanon that we all deserve.

[BA]: [Inaudible question over headphone]

[LZ]: Thank you so much, Becky, for asking that question, because I don't think Lebanese citizens are [and they] should be asked: What does it take to fight? What does it take to live?

We are trying to do the best that we can with basic services that are no longer at our disposal. Lebanon is asking the Lebanese to still make it through. The world is asking Lebanon to keep going. But to do so today as a Lebanese means to put aside basics, to put aside dignity, and to just step forward, take it a day at a time.

On the one hand, the government and state institutions are put aside for humanitarian aid that is entering this country. On the other hand, the President of this Republic is brought in to represent our country at a donor conference on this August 4, 2021, after a one-year long funeral procession of no justice and no accountability?

You and I know that is insufficient, and that is why today, there is a need for strategic capacity for this country like never before. What we need to be doing now – what I and very good people on the ground are trying to do – is [to] build a global national team, one that is led by the Lebanese.

The Lebanese know best. The world today needs to be students of Lebanon and we need to become partners in our future.

And Becky, I want to say, having heard what you were talking about a moment ago, about donor governments, about the President of this Republic, I have to speak about the culture of impunity that continues to be institutionalized in this country today.

On the one hand, the government and state institutions are put aside for humanitarian aid that is entering this country. On the other hand, the President of this Republic is brought in to represent our country at a donor conference on this August 4, 2021, after a one-year long funeral procession of no justice and no accountability?

That, Becky, is just not good enough for Lebanon.

[End of speech]

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About the Zovighian Public Office

The Zovighian Public Office (ZPO) was established in 2015 to serve communities facing crises and crimes of atrocity. We are dedicated to amplifying their voices through research, advocacy, and diplomacy. We are deeply committed to the empowerment of Lebanese communities, grassroots institutions, and cultural and civil society leaders.

www.zovighian.org