The corruption of the Lebanese authorities and their failure to deal with the stifling political and economic crises in the country have caused the biggest human rights deterioration that Lebanon has witnessed in decades. The unprecedented economic crisis, which was exacerbated by the outbreak of the “Corona” virus, led to a doubling of the poverty rate in the past year.
The massive explosion that occurred in the port of Beirut due to the corruption, incompetence and negligence of the authorities killed more than 200 people, injured more than 6,000 and left 300,000 homeless. The explosion reduced entire neighborhoods to rubble, destroyed Beirut’s commercial and shopping districts, and destroyed half of the restaurants and bars in the Greater Beirut area that are an essential part of the economy. But the local investigation into the causes of the explosion is not independent, transparent or credible.
With each passing day, the lives of Lebanese, migrants, and refugees become unbearable.
With the Lebanese currency losing its value, the prices of basic commodities are rising rapidly, undermining the ability of individuals to afford food, shelter, and health care. The COVID-19 outbreak has exacerbated poverty and economic distress and has disproportionately affected marginalized groups, including low-income families, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, refugees. 80% of Syrian refugees in Lebanon live in extreme poverty. The government has not put in place any appropriate, solid, and coordinated plan to assist them.
The government’s failure to pay the debt it owes to hospitals has worsened the health sector situation and negatively affected the hospitals’ ability to provide the necessary and life-saving health care and respond to the outbreak of the Corona virus.
Despite the economic crisis, the authorities have stepped up their attacks on freedom of expression and assembly in the wake of the October 17, 2019 protests that swept the country. Security forces, army and riot police used excessive, and at times lethal force, against peaceful demonstrators.
The Lebanese authorities have not fulfilled their obligations to protect women and girls from violence and to end discrimination against them. In Lebanon, there are about 250,000 migrant workers, most of whom are women. The State Council, the country’s highest administrative judicial authority, suspended the implementation of the new standard labor contract, which resulted in a severe blow to these workers.
In Washington Center For Human Rights, we believe that France must respect its international obligations regarding arms transfers of security-maintaining equipment, which could be used for committing or facilitating serious human rights abuses.
The French authorities should ensure full accountability for past abuses and that an adequate remedy is provided to the victims.