Lebanon

Lebanon: Freedom in the World 2013

Published by on July 16, 2013

Freedom House 9 March 2013 The conflict in neighboring Syria continued to affect developments in Lebanon in 2012, as refugees crossed into the country and supporters of the Syrian government clashed violently with rebel supporters, especially in northern Lebanon. Security chief Wissam al-Hassan was assassinated in October, likely for his role in exposing Syrian plans to destabilize Lebanon. Attacks on journalists, activists, and refugees increased, while Prime Minister Najib Miqati faced calls to resign. Read the full report here.

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Lebanon: Amnesty International Annual Report 2013

Published by on May 23, 2013

Amnesty International 23 May 2013 Reports of torture and other ill-treatment continued, including forced, abusive physical examinations of detainees. Discrimination against Palestinian refugees continued, impeding their access to education, health, employment and adequate housing. Migrant workers faced abuse from employers and sometimes security forces. Some refugees and asylum-seekers, including those fleeing violence in neighbouring Syria, were arbitrarily detained. At least 170,000 refugees from Syria sought safety in Lebanon during the year. Women were discriminated against in law and practice. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) announced a trial date in 2013 but the Lebanese authorities again failed to address the Read the full article…

Forced Migration Review No. 43 - States of fragility

Published by on May 1, 2013

Refugees Studies Centre May 2013 State fragility poses a challenge to the refugee regime. Rather than just placing the emphasis on the need to protect people fleeing the acts of states against their own populations, it also demands the protection of people fleeing the omissions of states, whether due to states’ unwillingness or to their inability to provide for their citizens’ fundamental rights. Read full report here.  

Lebanon: ICRC Annual Report 2012

Published by on May 1, 2013

International Committee of the Red Cross May 2013 Lebanon kept its borders open for people fleeing the armed conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic (hereafter Syria), whose numbers had exceeded all expectations. The economic, social and security burden they posed prompted the government to launch a comprehensive response plan in December, while appealing for international financial support. Political and sectarian divisions, exacerbated by opposing loyalties in relation to the Syrian armed conflict, hampered government work and sometimes degenerated into clashes, leading to dozens of deaths and injuries in major cities and border communities. The killing in October of a high-ranking security official triggered protests, further threatening the country’s stability. Nevertheless, the Read the full article…

Lebanon: 2012 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

Published by on April 19, 2013

US Department of State 19 April 2013 Lebanon is a parliamentary republic, with a Maronite Christian president, Sunni Muslim prime minister, and Shia Muslim speaker of the chamber of deputies, based on the 1943 National Pact. Parliamentary elections in 2009 were considered free and fair. Government security forces reported to civilian authorities, although the terrorist group Hizballah and Palestinian security and militia forces were outside the direction of government officials. The most significant human rights abuses during the year were torture and abuse by government and other security forces, harsh prison and detention center conditions, and limitations on freedom of Read the full article…

Lebanon: World Report 2013

Published by on January 31, 2013

Human Rights Watch 31 January 2013 Reforms in Lebanon were stagnant in 2012 as draft laws to stop torture, improve the treatment of migrant domestic workers, and protect women from domestic violence, remained stalled in parliament. Women face discrimination under personal status laws, and vulnerable groups report being mistreated or tortured by security force members during arrest and in custody. Lebanese authorities and humanitarian organizations have provided material assistance to the influx of Syrians fleeing their country’s fighting, but needs are increasing. Approximately 300,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon live in appalling social and economic conditions. Read the full report here.