We, the undersigned civil society organizations and independent human rights experts, strongly condemn the series of malicious and indiscriminate device explosions across Lebanon and Syria, which killed at least 37 people, including at least 2 children, and maimed or injured 3,400. These attacks —unprecedented in method and scale— are an appalling violation of the right to life and core tenets of human rights and humanitarian norms. We echo the call of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at the United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday for “ for an independent, thorough, and transparent investigation into the circumstances of these explosions.” We most urgently call on Member States to condemn these attacks and take immediate steps to avert further attacks, protect and support the civilian population in affected countries, and ensure the perpetrators of these heinous attacks are held to an account.
While the full details remain unknown and the damage continues to mount, innocent civilians are bearing the brunt of a covert campaign that has transformed communication devices into deadly weapons. Violent explosions in homes, cars, grocery stores, and cafes are terrorizing entire communities and leaving them uncertain of where the next may occur. At Friday’s meeting, many Members made it clear that the attacks likely constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law, and repeated Commissioner Türk’s call for an independent investigation. Those responsible must be held accountable.
A Violation of International Law and Human Rights
These coordinated explosions appear designed to terrorize and inflict harm on civilians. The perpetrators detonated devices simultaneously and remotely, without the ability to ensure the safety of civilians. Terrorizing the civilian population, using remotely detonated unsupervised explosive devices in urban settings, and targeting civilians who are not directly participating in hostilities are all forbidden actions under international humanitarian law. These acts demand the immediate attention of the international community.
While the precise details of the perpetrators and their methods are still being uncovered, the responsibility of the international community is clear: those behind these attacks must be held accountable. Impunity is not an option.
Several corporate entities have been implicated by ongoing efforts to uncover suppliers of devices linked to the detonations. The production of unsupervised remotely detonated explosive devices that do not allow for selecting their target is forbidden. States have an obligation under international law to ensure that companies domiciled within their jurisdictions are not contributing to violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. State obligations and company responsibilities are especially heightened in contexts of war and armed conflicts.As the UN Security Council meets, we urge its members to confront this escalation with the seriousness it demands. Such an unprecedented and horrific attack poses a serious threat not only to the region but to the world’s peace and security at large. This moment calls for courage and a unified stand for human dignity and security.
We, therefore, urgently call for:
– An immediate halt to indiscriminate attacks against civilians and the weaponization of digital devices in civilian areas: We demand Member States act swiftly to condemn these attacks and call for their immediate end to prevent further deaths, protect civilians, and uphold the law of armed conflict.
– Immediate humanitarian aid and protection: As the number of casualties continues to rise amid growing tension and instability, we demand Member States provide immediate international assistance, including medical care and support to the victims.
– An immediate international investigation: The United Nations must urgently commission a prompt, effective, thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the tampering of communications devices and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
– Accountability mechanisms: The international community must use every tool at its disposal, from carefully targeted sanctions to legal proceedings, to hold the perpetrators of these acts of violence against civilians accountable.
