Lebanon Designates April 13 as National Day for the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared

On 22 October 2026, the Lebanese Council of Ministers approved the designation of April 13 of each year as the National Day for the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared, following a formal request submitted by the National Commission for the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared (NCMFD).

The decision reflects a longstanding demand of the families of missing and forcibly disappeared persons and marks an important step in strengthening national support for their cause.

The choice of April 13, the anniversary of the outbreak of Lebanon’s civil war in 1975, carries particular significance, recalling the enduring humanitarian consequences of the conflict and the decades-long struggle of families seeking answers about the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones.

Beyond remembrance, this national day offers an annual opportunity to renew the commitment to clarifying the fate of missing persons and upholding families’ right to know, in accordance with Law 105/2018.

NCMFD welcomes the decision and reaffirms its commitment to working with families, national authorities, civil society, and partners to translate this national support into concrete progress towards providing the answers families have awaited for decades.