UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health Invited to Visit Lebanon Accompanied by a Fact-Finding Mission
As part of his ongoing efforts to bring the voice of Lebanon and its people to international forums, Dr. Kamel Mohanna, President of Amel Association International, participated in a series of high-level meetings, lectures, and international events in Geneva, Switzerland, from 12 to 19 June 2026, culminating in an active engagement during the 62nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The visit took place at a particularly critical moment for Lebanon. Throughout his mission, Dr. Mohanna conveyed the voices of people facing the consequences of war, aggression, and ongoing violations, bringing their experiences directly to international decision-makers, UN bodies, human rights institutions, and global public opinion.
In a significant milestone of the visit, Dr. Mohanna delivered an intervention before the United Nations Human Rights Council through an oral statement supported by the European Centre for the Third World (CETIM). In his remarks, he highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Lebanon, including large-scale displacement and the systematic destruction of villages, infrastructure, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and essential services. He stressed that attacks against civilians and medical facilities constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and of the rights to life, health, and human dignity.
Addressing the international community, Mohanna emphasized that the scale and persistence of these violations require a more effective international response. He called for the protection of civilians, healthcare institutions, and medical personnel, as well as support for independent investigative mechanisms capable of ensuring accountability and ending the prevailing culture of impunity. He also invited Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, to visit Lebanon in order to assess the situation firsthand and examine the serious violations of international law.
On the sidelines of the Council session, Dr. Mohanna held a series of meetings with prominent UN and diplomatic figures, including Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng. Discussions focused on the severe impact of the war on the right to health in Lebanon and on ways to strengthen the protection of civilians and ensure access to essential healthcare services. He also met with Lebanon’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Caroline Ziadeh, in the presence of Counselor Kamel El Sheikh Ali. The discussions addressed ways to strengthen Lebanon’s presence in international forums and defend the rights of Lebanese citizens in the face of continuing violations.
Dr. Mohanna also participated in an international conference entitled “Beyond the G7: Towards Building a Multilateralism of Peoples,” where he called for a more just and humane global order based on solidarity among peoples rather than domination. He emphasized the vital role of social movements and civil society organizations in shaping alternatives grounded in human rights and social justice. The conference brought together a wide range of participants, including Nahla Haidar, activist Souha Bechara, and Mr. Alain Bitar.
At the Arab Olive Tree Library in Geneva, under the supervision of Mr. Alain Bitar, Dr. Mohanna delivered a lecture entitled “Lebanon Amid the Security and Humanitarian Storm.” He reviewed the realities facing Lebanese society during the war and the worsening social and humanitarian challenges. He also presented the experience of Amel Association International as a model of a people-centered social movement rooted in community needs and dedicated to promoting citizenship, social justice, and human dignity. The lecture was attended by former United Nations Secretary-General’s Representative to Lebanon Ambassador Ross Mountain, Ambassador Nahla Haidar, and representatives of the STEM Association, which had invited Dr. Mohanna to participate in these events.
Dr. Mohanna also met with Rémy Pagani, former Mayor of Geneva and former Minister, as well as the President and Executive Director of ICVA, the global network of humanitarian organizations. He also met with activist Souha Bechara.
Throughout his meetings, Dr. Mohanna stressed that the destruction, displacement, and prevention of residents from returning to their villages—particularly in southern Lebanon—constitute serious violations of international law and shared humanitarian values. He stated:
“It is our duty to carry the voices of people subjected to destruction and marginalization to every possible international platform and to defend their right to life, dignity, and justice. The causes of oppressed peoples, foremost among them the cause of Palestine, are the true measure of our humanity and of our ability to build a more just and humane world.”
This mission reflects the continued international role played by Dr. Kamel Mohanna as one of the leading advocates for the rights of peoples and social justice, and as a Lebanese and Arab voice bringing the concerns of ordinary people to global platforms. His efforts stem from a firm belief that human dignity is not merely a slogan, but a fundamental right that must be defended everywhere and at all times.
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