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Social IssuesJun 02, 2026
Echoes of Absence: Implications of Missing and Disappeared Persons on the Social and Family Fabric
- Zeina Allouche
Fifty-one years since the outbreak of the 1975-90 war, Lebanon continues to grapple with unresolved legacies of conflict, including transitional justice, truth and reconciliation, and collective healing, particularly for the families of the missing and forcibly disappeared.
In the decades since the end of the war, the country has made some progress on this issue, such as the establishment of the National Commission for the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared. Yet, significant institutional, legal, and political challenges remain, compounded by limited public awareness, fragmented knowledge, and fading memories.
It is in this context that the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies (LCPS) is launching a series of papers addressing the issue of the missing and forcibly disappeared, focusing on themes related to “Dealing with the Past.” Through this endeavor, LCPS aims to inform policymakers, raise awareness, and advance practical solutions, with a particular emphasis on conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and social justice.In this installment of the Dealing with the Past series, Zeina Allouche examines the lasting impact of Lebanon’s missing and forcibly disappeared persons on families, communities, and the nation’s social fabric. She argues that unresolved disappearances create intergenerational trauma, deepen mistrust in state institutions, and perpetuate structural violence, particularly affecting women and children. In addition, she highlights the overlooked issue of children illegally adopted during the civil war as another form of enforced disappearance. Drawing on international experiences and local activism, the author emphasizes the right to truth, memory, and justice as essential foundations for healing and reconciliation.Zeina Allouche is a Senior Expert in Child Protection and Violence Prevention. She holds a PhD in Social Sciences, Oral History, and Arts, with over 25 years of experience in child protection, gender based violence, and illegal transracial and transnational adoption. She has led international organizations, developed family strengthening initiatives, designed strategic programs, and delivered capacity building workshops.