Lebanon

Abstract

Jean Ziegler visited Lebanon from 11 to 16 September 2006 upon the invitation of the Government and in accordance with the Special Rapporteur’s mandate established by Commission on Human Rights resolutions 2000/10 and as transferred by the General Assembly in resolution 60/251 to the Human Rights Council which extended the mandate by its decision 102.¹ This mission was undertaken independently from the Commission of Inquiry established on the basis of Council resolution S-2/1. The visit to Lebanon was requested in relation to concerns raised by the international community regarding the impact on the right to food of the war between Israel and the armed forces of the Lebanese political party, Hezbollah. Initial concerns were raised regarding limits on humanitarian access to people trapped during the war, with certain areas in Lebanon cut off from access to humanitarian aid for prolonged periods of time during the 34 days of hostilities. In 21 July 2006, Jean Ziegler, in concert with a number of other United Nations human rights experts, issued a press release calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities and for unrestricted and secure passage of humanitarian assistance. The massive displacement of almost 1 million people also disrupted access to food across the country. With the loss of much of this year’s harvest, the destruction of roads, agricultural and water infrastructure, fields littered with unexploded bombs and the disruption of agricultural and fishing livelihoods, serious concerns were also raised regarding the longer term impact of the war on the right to food and water.