Human Rights Watch (HRW) has made a significant appeal to the newly-formed Lebanese government, emphasizing the importance of adopting an agenda centered on human rights, the rule of law, transparency, and accountability. In a letter to Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, HRW offered ten key recommendations aimed at tackling the country’s myriad challenges. These recommendations span critical areas such as accountability, judicial independence, socio-economic reforms, freedom of expression, and human rights improvements. For more information, visit JURIST.
Central to HRW’s appeal is the call for legal reforms that bolster judicial independence and eradicate political interference in judicial investigations. HRW urged changes to specific provisions in Lebanon’s Code of Civil and Criminal Procedures to align them with international standards, as highlighted in the recommendations by the European Commission for Democracy through Law and the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary.
HRW also underscored political hindrances that have previously obstructed the investigation into the 2020 Beirut explosion. The organization urged the new government to facilitate the inquiry’s progression by removing immunity protections for public officials. Another critical recommendation is the swift ratification of the Rome Statute to enable the prosecution of war crimes committed in Lebanon since October 2023.
The Lebanese government is also called upon to address the country’s severe economic crisis, which has led to heightened poverty levels and reduced public trust in essential services. As part of the suggestions, HRW insists on implementing measures for improved governance, thus creating transparent and efficient public institutions. The recommendations encompass various areas that demand immediate attention, including refugees’ rights and women’s rights.
HRW emphasized the urgent need for policies that better protect refugees and enhance freedoms related to expression and speech, urging reforms in Lebanon’s defamation laws to align with the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s guidance regarding Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Moreover, the organization calls for the abolition of discriminatory laws against women, particularly in marriage, divorce, and nationality spheres, to achieve gender equality and effective protection against abuse.
These comprehensive recommendations come as Lebanon continues to grapple with pressing issues, such as the ongoing refugee crisis and a crippling economic downturn that severely affects basic public services. Following President Joseph Aoun’s inauguration and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s nomination, the government faces increased scrutiny in tackling these human rights challenges and steering Lebanon towards a more sustainable future.