We, the undersigned activists and Lebanese, regional, and international civil society organizations, call on the Government of Lebanon to urgently take all necessary steps to recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over crimes committed on Lebanese territory since October the 8th, 2023. Given the inability of Lebanese domestic courts to investigate and prosecute crimes committed by foreign armed forces on Lebanese territory, the complementarity principle under Article 17 of the Rome Statute confirms that the ICC would be the appropriate forum for such proceedings. 

Lebanon continues to face grave violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The escalation of hostilities since October 2023 has resulted in the killing and injury of civilians, largescale displacement, destruction of homes and critical infrastructure, and attacks that may amount to gravest crimes of concern to the international community, including war crimes under the Rome Statute. Civilians in Lebanon have the right to protection, truth, justice, and accountability. 

Lebanon is not a State Party to the Rome Statute. However, Article 12(3) provides a clear mechanism for a State to accept the exercise of jurisdiction by the court for crimes committed on its territory. Several states have used this pathway to ensure impartial, independent, and internationally recognized accountability when domestic mechanisms were unavailable or insufficient. 

Recognizing the ICC’s jurisdiction would: 

• Affirm Lebanon’s commitment to international law and civilian protection 

• Enable impartial investigation of all alleged crimes 

• Strengthen Lebanon’s international standing 

• Provide victims with a credible path to justice 

• Contribute to long-term stability by countering impunity 

 

Therefore, we urge the Government of Lebanon to: 

1. Initiate the process to ratify the Rome Statute and immediately submit an Article 12(3) declaration recognizing ICC jurisdiction over crimes committed since October 2023 

2. Cooperate fully with the ICC 

3. Publicly affirm Lebanon’s commitment to accountability and the rule of law 

4. Engage with civil society and victims’ groups to ensure their needs are central to any accountability process 

 

Signatories: 

  • Lebanese Center for human Rights 

  • The Legal Agenda 

  • Proud Lebanon 

  • Cedar Centre for Legal Studies 

  • The Union of Journalists in Lebanon 

  • SMEX 

  • Samir Kassir foundation 

  • Silat Wassel  

  • Media Association for Peace (MAP) 

  • Access Center for Human Rights (ACHR) 

  • Maharat Foundation 

  • Atty. Ghassan Moukhayber 

  • Migration Services and Development (MSD) 

  • Women Now for Development 

  • Bassmeh & Zeitouneh 

  • Lebanese Association For Democratic Elections (LADE) 

  • 11.11.11 

  • Euromed Rights 

  • Upinion 

  • MENA Rights Group 

  • Lebanon Humanitarian and Development Forum (LHDF)