Human Rights Watch strongly criticized Lebanese authorities on Monday for their continued inaction five years after the catastrophic Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020. The explosion, one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history, resulted in the death of at least 236 people, injured over 7,000, and devastated large areas of Beirut.

"Justice delayed is justice denied," stated Reina Wehbi, Amnesty International's Lebanon Campaigner. Wehbi emphasized the prolonged suffering of the victims' families due to the lack of accountability, declaring, "They must not be forced to endure another year of impunity."

Despite persistent demands from both local and international entities for a robust inquiry, the investigation has been marred by obstructions. Political leaders and state officials have been accused of hindering the judicial process to protect themselves from liability.

The probe, led by Judge Tarek Bitar, has been stalled numerous times as numerous legal challenges and a lack of cooperation from senior officials have impeded progress. High-profile figures, including former ministers and parliament members, have continually avoided questioning by claiming immunity and initiating lawsuits to obstruct the investigation. In a significant setback in 2023, former public prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat charged Judge Bitar, halting the investigation and leading to the release of detainees.

A ray of hope appeared in early 2025 when interim top prosecutor Jamal Hajjar reversed previous rulings allowing Judge Bitar to resume his duties. While some officials, such as former Prime Minister Hassan Diab and two senior security officials, have complied with the investigation, others like MPs Ali Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zaiter remain elusive.

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have expressed their support for the investigation. However, human rights organizations continue to caution that without substantial legal reforms and guarantee of judicial independence, achieving meaningful justice will be challenging.

A 2021 report by Human Rights Watch concluded that the explosion was a consequence of governmental negligence, potentially constituting a violation of the right to life. Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch assert that the resolution of the Beirut explosion case is pivotal, not only as reparation for the victims but also as a crucial test of Lebanon's dedication to human rights and the rule of law.