The Lokman Slim Foundation, UMAM D&R, and Dar Al-Jadeed Invite You to Commemorate the Fourth Anniversary of Lokman Slim’s Assassination under the Title “Justice as a Pillar for Sovereignty”
The end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 have ushered in an era of hope in Lebanon, bringing vital opportunities for deep and critical openings for justice and accountability in the country and the region. While 2024 brought immense death and destruction in Lebanon and the region, it also brought in its closing months a ceasefire in Lebanon and the fall of the over fifty-year-long Assad regime in Syria. In the first month of 2025, Lebanon has elected both a new President and a new Prime Minister, and a ceasefire has finally gone into place in Gaza. All of these dynamics have loosened the reins of violence, fear, and oppression that have held Lebanon and the region in a chokehold.
In his inaugural speech on 9 January 2025, President Joseph Aoun stated that “today begins a new phase in the history of Lebanon,” and that “if we want to build a nation, we must all be under the roof of law and justice.” Days later, former President of the International Court of Justice Nawaf Salam was designated Prime Minister. He made similar statements, calling for a “new chapter” for the country to be "rooted in justice, security, progress and opportunities.”
The resumption of the investigation into the 4 August 2020 Beirut Port explosion is an important first step, signaling a commitment to transparency and accountability. However, this momentum must extend to other political crimes, particularly the assassinations that occurred in the aftermath of the Port explosion. These include Mounir Abou Rjeily and Joseph Bejjani, both assassinated in December 2020, and Lokman Slim, assassinated in February 2021. Only a thorough investigation can determine whether these crimes are linked to the Port explosion or stand-alone acts of political violence, and their perpetrators must be brought to justice.
Lokman Slim was a tireless advocate for truth, justice, and accountability. In his memory, UMAM D&R, the Lokman Slim Foundation, and Dar Al-Jadeed once again reaffirm their commitment to these values and aim to support Lebanon’s transition toward a more just and transparent future.
Join us as we honor Lokman Slim’s enduring legacy and contribute to the dialogue on justice and accountability. It is only together that we can build a Lebanon rooted in truth, law, and justice.
Event Program
Opening Remarks
- Monika Borgmann, Rasha Al-Ameer, Makram Rabah
Keynote Speech
- Hazem Saghieh | Lokman’s Lebanon and the Lebanon of his Assassins
Presentation of Lokman Slim Awards | Designed by Selim Mouzannar
Awardees
- Sobhiya Najjar | Director of the short film “Assassination Without Accountability"
- Alex Rowell | Author of the book “We Are Your Soldiers”
Reception | A toast to Lokman
Event Details
- Date: 2 February 2025
- Time: 4 - 6 PM
- Location: Seaside Arena - Hall 900 at the Beirut New Waterfront