On February 3, UMAM Documentation & Research, the Lokman Slim Foundation, and Dar Al-Jadeed are commemorating the third anniversary of Lokman Slim’s assassination. The public event, entitled “Justice for Lebanon, Justice for Lokman,” aims to draw attention to political assassinations and highlight the impunity that surrounds these crimes in the wider context of Lebanon’s weak justice system and lack of accountability.

Lokman Slim, who was known for his strong positions, integrity, eloquence, and courage, was found shot and killed in his car in southern Lebanon on February 4, 2021. His assassination is a stark reminder of the broader issues afflicting Lebanon and serves as a symbol of the countless crimes committed to silence those who defend freedom of expression and rule of law in the country. Attempts to harness the judicial system in Lebanon have shown the system’s lack of independence, political will, and genuine means to achieve justice. Lokman’s case therefore has followed the same path of impunity as other political assassinations and events such as the August 2020 Beirut Port Explosion, all of which reflect the challenges and disastrous political situation that Lebanon faces when attempting to implement justice.

Previously, the memorial service for Lokman took place in the garden of his family’s residence in Haret Hreik that he refused to leave despite continuous and serious threats against him. This year, the commemoration of his life, death, and legacy will be held in collaboration with the MINA Image Centre to symbolically take place near the destroyed port. This new venue reflects the urgency of the ongoing struggle for justice that Lokman and all advocates of the rule of law are striving for amid Lebanon’s ongoing and current tragedy in the context of the unprecedented violence in the region. 

PROGRAM

15:15 – 16:30

Welcoming Words: Manal Khader, director of the MINA Image Centre

Music: Gistelle Ibrahim, accompanied by Jean Al-Hajj

Short Testimonies:Moderated by Makram Rabah

• Monika Borgmann Slim, Lokman Slim Foundation and UMAM D&R, spouse of Lokman Slim 
• Rasha Al-Ameer, Lokman Slim Foundation and Dar Al-Jadeed, sister of Lokman Slim
• Moussa Khoury and Diala Shehadeh, lawyers of the Slim family
• Nayla Bejjani, spouse of Joseph Bejjani (video) 
• May Chidiac and Marwan Hamadeh, former ministers and survivors of attempted assassinations 
• Mohammad Matar, lawyer of families of victims at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon 
• Michel Helou, general secretary of National Bloc
• Georges Okais, Member of Parliament
• Elias Hankash, Member of Parliament 
• Fares Souaid, former Member of Parliament
• Mustapha Allouch, former Member of Parliament 
• Marc Daou, Member of Parliament
• Michel Mouawad, Member of Parliament 

16:30 – 17:00

Lokman Slim's Awards (designed by Selim Mouzannar)

Guest of Honor: Kristenn Einarsson, director of WEXPO, Norway (video) 

• Ghinwa Yateem, journalist, Lebanon
• Christophe Boltanski, journalist and writer, France
• Christoph Reuter, journalist, Germany (video)
• Sabyl Ghoussoub, novelist, France (text read by Wafaa Celine Halawi)

Music: Gistelle Ibrahim, accompanied by Jean Al-Hajj

17:00 – 18:00

Cocktail: A Cheers to Lokman