Who we are
ACT for the Disappeared (ACT) is a Lebanese human rights organization founded in 2010.
ACT works to address the legacy of past violence in Lebanon and promote inclusive approaches to dealing with the past. Through research, documentation, advocacy, and psychosocial support, the organization contributes to reconciliation, strengthens social cohesion, and helps prevent the recurrence of violence.
Working closely with affected communities and civil society actors, ACT supports processes that encourage dialogue, participation, and a shared vision for a more just and peaceful society, while recognizing the central role of women and engaging younger generations in building a more inclusive future.
Mission
To foster a sustainable reconciliation process and prevent the recurrence of violence in Lebanon through research, documentation, advocacy, and psychosocial support, while continuing to clarify the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared and missing.
Vision
A reconciled and just society that guarantees sustainable peace for all.
The Team
Manal Hamdoun
Leila Daou
Bassel Bou Monsef
Walaa Farran
Researcher & Project Coordinator
Jinan Salameh
Field Officers
Malak Chahbaz
Senior Field Officer
Rania Rmayle
Senior Field Officer
Advisory Board
- Justine Di Mayo: Justine holds an MA in Political Science and Sociology and a BA in Literature from Sorbonne University. In 2009, she co-founded and led Act for the Disappeared (ACT) for ten years. In 2021 she joined the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC), a global network of historic sites, museums, and memorials dedicated to connecting past struggles with today’s movements for human rights and social justice. In this role, she supports ICSC members and local partners to lead locally driven and participatory approaches to truth-seeking, justice, and reconciliation in post-conflict settings. She also supports victim/survivor groups and professionals to transform sites of trauma into Sites of Conscience.
- Gillian Kettaneh: Gillian Kettaneh is a lawyer who has worked for international development finance institutions (World Bank, EBRD), Norges Bank Investment Management and a South
African community-based investment company. Now retired, she lives in London with her husband and has 3 adult daughters. Her father disappeared in Beirut on 19 August 1985. She has been the president of ACT since 2020 and a member of ACT’s Board since 2016.
- Yara El Khoury: Holds a PhD in Contemporary History, a Certificate in the Practice of Mediation from St Joseph University of Beirut, and a Master Degree in Conflict Resolution from the Catholic Institute of Paris. Research Manager at Act for the Disappeared in 2022-2024. Currently a lecturer, researcher and academic director of the Youakim Moubarac Chair at St Joseph University. Lives between Beirut and Bucharest/Romania.
- Elie Sarkis: A psychotherapist working with an integrative approach grounded in psychodynamic, EMDR, and systemic therapies. He has been engaged in the humanitarian field since 2012, and since 2015 has worked closely with families of missing persons. One of his proudest contributions has been developing guidelines for a trauma-informed approach to supporting these families. Most recently, he worked with families of missing persons affected by the 2024 escalations in South Lebanon. He is currently focused on his private practice and consulting as an MHPSS expert, and looks forward to contributing meaningfully to ACT's efforts.
- Alexi Haddad: a Legal Researcher at Maklaw Law Firm, specializing in public and private law with a focus on constitutional and institutional matters. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Political Science from La Sagesse University. His professional and civic engagement reflects a strong commitment to institutional reform, accountability, and the advancement of justice in Lebanon.
Partners & Donors
ACT’s principal partners are the Committee of the Families of the Missing and Kidnapped in Lebanon, the Committee of the families of the missing in Syria (SOLIDE) and the International Committee of the Red Cross in Lebanon (ICRC).
ACT has also developed international partnerships with organisations such as the International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), the Argentinean Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF), Memorial Abierta in Argentina and Hafiza Merkezi in Turkey. ACT has been a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience since 2014.
Since its creation ACT has received support from the Norwegian Embassy in Lebanon, the Dutch Embassy in Lebanon, the Swiss Embassy in Lebanon, the European Union, Robert Bosch Stiftung Foundation, L’Atelier and the Fondation des Cedres, as well as the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).
ACT’s ongoing projects are currently supported by the National Endowment for Democracy, the Sigrid Rausing Trust and the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany (BMZ).