Introduction

What is the role of an observation mission and why is it important to ensure a transparent and democratic path towards elections. International election observation missions must execute their work in line with a country’s constitutional provisions and electoral laws, and within international and regional democratic and human rights instruments, making the intervention necessary, especially in cases where people are victimized and living under dire conditions due to state failure, and where the course of electoral process seems to be at risk.

The first anniversary of the death of a family member or of a natural disaster is always a heavy time. Memories and feelings will re-surface – things that had been pushed aside by everyday activities and in order to get on with one‛s life. Now, a few days before the first anniversary of the explosion that destroyed the port of Beirut on 4 August 2020, many photos and videos are being shared on social media, and Lebanese TV is, once again, reporting on the catastrophe that happened that day. One TV station even produced a video that, using computer animation, showed victims of the explosion talking about that day – something that caused a major indignation.