UNITED AGAINST INJUSTICE: DEPOSITORS UNION CALLS ON ALL DEPOSITORS TO JOIN THE PROTEST AT THE BEIRUT COURTHOUSE THIS WEDNESDAY

RECOVER OUR DEPOSITS. DEFEND PEOPLE’S RIGHTS. UPHOLD THE RULE OF LAW.

DEPOSITORS’ LIFE SAVINGS CANNOT BE REDUCED TO A MERE “FINANCIAL GAP!”

With the participation of thirty depositors, including military and civilian retirees representing over 100 members, the Depositors Union, under the umbrella of United Against Injustice coalition, held its second meeting on Saturday, September 5, in Beirut, with participants joining remotely.

The meeting agreed on the following conclusions and actions:

1. LEBANON NEEDS COLLECTIVE ACTION — NOT SILENCE

Lebanon is facing a severe social and economic crisis, compounded by the failure and mismanagement of successive proposed solutions.

We call for a comprehensive, cross-sectarian and cross-partisan plan bringing together all those affected, beyond political and sectarian divisions.

2. DEPOSITS RECOVERY MUST BEGIN WITH THE BANKS

Banks are the institutions with which depositors entrusted their money and bear the primary legal responsibility toward them.

Building on the unprecedented breakthrough achieved in the Fransabank depositor case, legal action must proceed according to established responsibilities and, where legally justified, extend to partners, instigators and accomplices.

Our objective is clear: to recover deposits through the force of law.

This includes pursuing legal action to seize bank assets and funds in Lebanon and abroad, while seeking full recognition of depositors’ rights and compensation for the damages they have suffered.

The responsibility of the Central Bank and those associated with it must also be addressed, particularly in relation to the devastating losses suffered by Lebanese-pound depositors, retired military and civilian personnel and citizens whose savings have lost their real value.

3. ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WRONGED MUST UNITE

Civilians, military retirees, depositors and all those who have suffered financial losses must join forces in a serious and coordinated legal campaign.

Collective legal action can build the necessary pressure to achieve real and fundamental change.

4. JOIN UNITED AGAINST INJUSTICE

We call on all those who share these demands to join the United Against Injustice initiative and help spread its message, particularly through media outlets and platforms committed to defending the rights of depositors and the Lebanese people.

5. TWO FUNDS TO SUPPORT COLLECTIVE ACTION

A coalition fund is being established to support the activities of United Against Injustice coalition and cover its operational expenses, through contributions from people in Lebanon and abroad.

A separate collective legal fund is also being prepared to help cover the costs of legal proceedings.

6. PROTEST — WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, AT 11:00 A.M.

We call on all depositors, oppressed citizens and all supporters of justice and the rule of law to join us on Wednesday, September 16, at 11:00 a.m., in front of the Beirut Palace of Justice.

The protest will be preceded by meetings with participants and representatives of groups committed to defending people’s rights.

7. PROTECTING THE INITIATIVE FROM BANKING INTERESTS

We will work to prevent individuals or groups acting on behalf, or under the influence, of banking interests from sabotaging or undermining this initiative through so-called “depositors’ associations”.

This position reflects serious concerns regarding past practices, including corruption, attempts to distort deposits recovery efforts, the exclusion of lawyers involved in pursuing these cases and attempts to divide depositors.

8. TRANSPORTATION FROM ACROSS LEBANON

Transportation will be organized from different regions of Lebanon to enable broad participation in upcoming protests, beginning with the Beirut Courthouse protest this Wednesday.

9. A MESSAGE TO THOSE WHO BEAR RESPONSIBILITY

A letter signed by members of the Depositors Union and United Against Injustice is being prepared for submission to the relevant authorities and institutions, beginning with the Presidency of the Republic, the heads of the Executive and Legislative branches, the Army Command, and human rights organizations in Lebanon and abroad.

The letter will remind them of their legal, constitutional and moral responsibilities toward the Lebanese people.

It will subsequently be developed into a broader message addressed to all sectors of Lebanese society.

10. LEGAL PROTECTION FOR PARTICIPANTS

A committee of lawyers will be established to support participants and respond to any attempt to intimidate, target or prosecute them because of their legitimate demands and activities.

This legal support will strengthen solidarity among members of the Depositors Union and United Against Injustice and ensure that participants can stand together and defend their rights collectively.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to maintain open and continuous communication and to respond collectively to any new developments, particularly in light of the current circumstances.

OUR MESSAGE IS SIMPLE

DEPOSITS ARE NOT A “FINANCIAL GAP”.

THEY ARE PEOPLE’S LIFE SAVINGS.

THEY ARE RIGHTS PROTECTED BY LAW.

WE STAND UNITED.

WE ACT TOGETHER.
WE DEFEND OUR RIGHTS.
WE WILL RECOVER WHAT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE.