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, Ziad Achour examines the establishment and first five years of Lebanon’s National Commission for the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared, highlighting its institutional achievements, operational challenges, and efforts to determine the fate of missing persons despite limited resources and political obstacles. The paper outlines key recommendations to safeguard the Commission’s independence, strengthen its capacity, and advance a humanitarian approach to justice centered on the right to know and the dignity of victims and their families.