By Alexandra Guy/GICJ
In the last 5 years, hyperinflation has led Lebanon to a shortage of fuel, food and medicine. The insecurity of the situation weakened and divided the political system. Now, the UN is calling for collective solutions and decision-making.
On Sunday 19th of December, during a visit in Lebanon, the UN secretary general asked the political representatives to come together to solve the ongoing Lebanese political, human rights and economic crisis. Over the last 5 years, hyperinflation led the country to a shortage of fuel, food and medicine. The insecurity of the situation weakened and divided the political system. It allowed Hezbollah to take a consequent power in politics. With the August 2020 Beirut explosion and the current sanitary crisis, the crisis deepened, becoming one of the most serious in the world. Urgent actions must be taken to avoid the death of millions of people and the multiplication of human right violations.
Indeed, UNICEF stated in December 2021 that “one in two children is at serious risk pf physical, emotional, or sexual violence”. In one year, cases of child abuse, child labor and child marriage exploded. In addition, the health system is collapsing, with access to medication severely restrained, and a lack of financial resources to face the COVID-19 crisis. Most of the population is facing poverty, preventing their enjoyment of human rights, including the right to health, the right to food, and the right to life. Numbers are in constant increase. The international community’s response has been too weak. No international assistance has been provided to help Lebanon in their humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees in the country. Finally, the border with Israel perpetuates a climate of tension and insecurity, despite resolution 1701 which clearly states the rights and obligations of each country.
The incoming elections of April 2022 in Lebanon require great attention as they could either worsen or significantly improve the situation. To ensure fair elections, the political leaders in Lebanon must show transparency. The international community should keep an eye on these elections and give the financial assistance needed to avoid corruption. These elections are a chance for Lebanon to get back to a trusting and organised political system who can counter the current crisis. The demands of the population should be taken into account in the programs of the candidates. Indeed, the Lebanese people mainly ask for the end of corruption and political division, the reconstruction of clear and strong legal and political institutions, and the saving of the economy. Unfortunately, considering the deepness on the situation, even with a strong government, Lebanon may need the international community financial assistance.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) is gravely concerned by the worsening of the crisis in Lebanon and the absence of action by the international community. We urge the political leaders to collaborate in order to show concrete and strong solutions to the different issues in the country, including poverty, corruption, assistance to refugees, the health system and human rights violations. We call for the assistance of the international community to Lebanon, including by providing concrete help to the refugee population and by participating to the UN country’s emergency response plan. Finally, we urge both Lebanon and Israel to respect human rights obligations at the borders and to follow the guidelines of the resolution 1701.
Justice, Human rights, Geneva, geneva4justice, GICJ, Geneva International Centre For Justice
