Meeks, McCaul Urge President Biden to Use Global Magnitsky Act in Response to Lokman Slim Murder

February 18, 2021

Washington, DC – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory W. Meeks and Lead Republican Michael McCaul sent a letter to President Biden urging him to consider using the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to sanction those responsible for the recent assassination of Lebanese activist Lokman Slim.

"This brazen assassination of an outspoken activist is likely intended to intimidate and silence others, particularly in light of Lebanon's tragic history of political assassinations without accountability for the perpetrators," the lawmakers wrote. "The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act could serve as an appropriate tool to hold those responsible accountable for the extrajudicial killing of Lokman Slim."

Dear President Biden,

On February 4, 2021, anti-Hezbollah activist Lokman Slim was murdered in Lebanon. Slim was a valued member of Lebanon's civil society, promoting democratic participation while also holding accountable all members of the Lebanese government including Hezbollah. This brazen assassination of an outspoken activist is likely intended to intimidate and silence others, particularly in light of Lebanon's tragic history of political assassinations without accountability for the perpetrators.

The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act could serve as an appropriate tool to hold those responsible accountable for the extrajudicial killing of Lokman Slim. We believe Slim's murder could constitute a sanctionable gross violation of internationally recognized human rights committed against a foreign person seeking to exercise and promote basic freedoms and the rule of law. We urge you to consider utilizing Magnitsky authorities in calibrating the appropriate response to Slim's murder. We similarly urge you to consider any relevant information, including with respect to officials in the Governments of Lebanon and Iran, if appropriate in calibrating such a response.

We look forward to working with you in our shared pursuit of respect for human rights and democratic institutions.

US Support for the LAF Highlighted by Visit of Rear Admiral Bradley

On February 12-13, 2021, Rear Admiral Frank M. Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Central, visited Lebanon to conduct meetings with his Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) counterparts, and reiterated the United States' commitment to supporting the LAF's professionalism and advancement.

During the visit, Rear Admiral Bradley met with Chief of Defense Joseph Aoun, as well as LAF officials from the Lebanese Special Operations Forces and Air Force.  In these interactions, Rear Admiral Bradley stated, "For many years we have had a strong and enduring relationship with the LAF and their special forces, maintaining this relationship is essential in promoting trust and legitimacy."

In addition to such high-level visits by senior U.S. military officials, the U.S. Government's partnership with the LAF also includes donations of equipment and supplies through foreign military funding.  In this regard, in late January, Ambassador Dorothy Shea participated in a small ceremony to commemorate the donation of three Huey II helicopters, highlighting the importance of ongoing cooperation and coordination between the United States and Lebanon, specifically in the defense sector.  The three helicopters, which will form a critical part of the LAF's border and land security operations, are valued at over $32 million.

Ambassador Shea remarked that the LAF has "worked throughout the last year to respond to the needs of your country and its people," and that "this highlights your patriotism, self-sacrifice, and service to your fellow citizens, and reflects our shared values.  Precisely because of those values, the United States is proud of our longstanding commitment to the LAF."  She also noted that "this equipment, like donations we have made before, directly contributes to the professional capabilities of the LAF, ensuring its operational readiness to defend Lebanon and its people."

Since 2006, United States Government assistance to the LAF has surpassed $2 billion.

By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 13 February, 2021

Remarks by Ambassador Dorothy C. Shea at the Lokman Slim Memorial Service

As delivered

Begin Text:

Monika and other family members of the late Lokman Slim, and friends of loved ones of Lokman:  I expressed my condolences publicly last week.  Today, I am honored to be with you  — his family and his loved ones — to convey in person my deepest sympathy.  You were robbed.  We all were robbed of a great man.   

This was a barbaric act, unforgivable and unacceptable.  Today, I mourn with you and our Embassy which I represent – my Embassy family joins me in mourning with you.  

But let us also celebrate some of the characteristics that made Lokman who he was:  he was tireless and relentless in his pursuit to reconcile Lebanon's people and to promote freedom and inclusion.  

These efforts cannot and will not be suppressed through fear or violence, because they are what is right.   

So, like him, let us not be deterred.     

We will push for what is just.  We will join you in demanding accountability for this horrific crime.   

And we will do our best to carry on his legacy, including by continuing our partnership with the organizations he helped found.  We are proud of these partnerships.   

We will hold Lokman's memory with us as we move forward to advance his vision.  

And as we do so, we pray that his soul may rest in peace.  And that those of you who loved him will find some consolation in his legacy.   

Li Ruhihi As-Salam.  Thank you. Shukran.

End Text.

By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 11 February, 2021 

Joint Statement by the Secretary of State of the United States of America and the Foreign Minister of France on Lebanon

MEDIA NOTE

OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

The text of the following statement was released by United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on the occasion of the six-month anniversary of the Port of Beirut incident.

Begin Text:

Six months after the August 4 explosion which occurred in the Port of Beirut, causing hundreds of casualties and significant damage, France and the United States reiterate their full unambiguous support to the Lebanese people.

As we have done since the explosion, including with the United Nations, our partners and the Lebanese civil society at the August 9 and December 2 support conferences, France and the United States will continue to extend urgent assistance to the Lebanese people, including health, education, housing, and food support.

France and the United States also expect rapid results on the inquiry into the causes of the explosion. The Lebanese justice system must work transparently, removed from any political interference.

The six-month anniversary of this tragic event underscores the urgent and vital need for Lebanese stakeholders to finally act upon the commitments they have made to form a credible and effective government, and to pave the way for the implementation of necessary reforms, in accordance with the aspirations of the Lebanese people. Such concrete actions remain absolutely crucial for the engagement of France, the United States and their regional and international partners to provide additional, longer-term structural support to Lebanon.

End text.

Assassination of Lebanese Activist Lokman Slim

PRESS STATEMENT

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

The United States condemns the heinous assassination of prominent Lebanese activist Lokman Slim in Southern Lebanon.  We join the international community in calling for his killers to be brought to swift justice. Mr. Slim devoted his life to bringing about positive change in Lebanon and bravely pushed for justice, accountability, and rule of law in his country.  It is cowardly and unacceptable to resort to violence, threats, and intimidation as a means of subverting the rule of law or suppressing freedom of expression and civic activism.  We urge Lebanese officials, including the judiciary and political leaders, to hold accountable those who commit such barbaric acts without delay or exception.

McCaul Statement on Assassination of Lebanese Activist Lokman Slim

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2021 

Washington, DC – Following the tragic murder of Lebanese activist Lokman Slim, House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul released a statement condemning his assassination.

"I am deeply disturbed by the assassination of Lebanese civil society leader, Lokman Slim. The people of Lebanon must not be subject to violence or intimidation by Hezbollah or any other entity for expressing their beliefs. There must be a full investigation and appropriate accountability for his murder. My condolences to Lokman's family."

Statement by Ambassador Dorothy C. Shea on the Assassination of Lokman Slim

By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 4 February, 2021

I want to begin by conveying my sincere condolences to the family of Lokman Slim, and all of those who are impacted by the tragic news of his death, a barbaric assassination.

Lokman Slim publicly and privately acknowledged that there were threats being made against his life, and yet he bravely continued to push for justice, accountability, and the rule of law in Lebanon.

May he rest in peace.

This assassination was not just a brutal assault on an individual, but a cowardly attack on the principles of democracy, freedom of expression, and civic participation.

It is also an attack on Lebanon itself.

The use of threats and intimidation as a means to subvert the rule of law and silence political discourse is unacceptable.

We join other friends of Lebanon and the country's leaders who have already condemned this horrific murder and call on leaders across the political spectrum to do the same.

We also emphasize the need for an expeditious investigation of this and other recent unresolved killings so that the perpetrators of these acts are brought to justice.

In a country that so desperately needs to recover from the multiple crises it faces, political assassinations send exactly the wrong signal to the world about what Lebanon stands for.

May the rule of law and accountability, the very principles for which Lokman Slim was fighting, prevail.