Lebanon

Policy Watch

The Government’s Collusion with the Violating Cement Companies:

Towards Further Depletion of Natural Resources

In its latest decision No. 36 issued on May 28, 2024, the government granted cement companies an “exceptional” one-year extension to continue extracting raw materials from their quarries. This decision, which came at …

From Dossier Research-Based Article

Informal neighborhoods: This is where the just city begins

Part 2: Local and International approaches

In the first part of this article, we presented an overview of the emergence and growth of informal settlements in Lebanon and countries of the Global South, and we addressed the ongoing debates …

Law Commentary

3 War-related Law drafts vs Recovery Needs

Despite the escalation of Israeli attacks since the beginning of 2024, the Lebanese legislative landscape has witnessed a dearth of initiatives aimed at addressing the repercussions of the aggression and supporting the affected …

Field Watch

Young men raided the Beirut Horsh and the municipality rewards them

In April 2024, a group of young men from Tariq Al-Jadida raided Horsh Beirut to apprehend youths accused of drug use and trafficking by entering the Horsh through gaps in its fence, following …

Policy Watch

Judicial decision to reclaim 3 public properties in Naqoura:

What about the other 13 plots?

On March 28, 2024, a judicial decision was issued ruling to reclaim 3 large-scale plots in the Southern town of Naqoura for the benefit of the Lebanese state, after one of the land …

Report

Local Authorities Normalize Illegality:

15 Discriminatory Circulars Against Syrians Documented Between April 9 and 24, 2024

Following the Cypriot President’s demand to the president of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen, to mediate between them and the Lebanese authorities, for the latters to prevent the boats of Syrian …

Decree Commentary

Commodifying Public Property

The state continues to encroach on, neglect, or allow the private sector to control landed public property, this time through a decree of the Council of Ministers allowing Al-Hiba Real Estate Company to …

Law Commentary

The Threat of Privatizing Public Lands Becoming Reality

The draft law was submitted on 21/03/2024, and referred to the government and the joint committees for the Committee of Administration and Justice, and the Committee of Finance, and Budget on 3/04/2024. The committees are reviewing it, but no meetings have been held yet to discuss it.

Law Commentary

Postponing Municipal Elections has Become a Norm

“Truly, fair elections can only happen in normal times, and they are at the heart of democracy, ensuring power is not concentrated in one group for too long.” With these words, Deputy Jihad …

From Dossier Research-Based Article

Informal neighborhoods: This is where the just city begins

Part 1: Discussions and Origins

Informal settlements in Lebanon, a complex and long-standing phenomenon, are the result of multiple factors. These include influxes of refugees, rural-to-urban migration, the scars of civil war and ongoing conflicts, and the adoption …

Narrative

Warda’s story:

The right to housing for the elderly is a necessity, not a luxury

This is the Story of Warda, an elderly woman currently facing the looming threat of eviction from the place she’s called home for seventeen years. For Warda, losing this house is not just …

Petition

The proposed non-residential rental law:

Motives for appeal, and the need for action for fair legislation.

The Lebanese Parliament has recently approved the proposal to liberalize old non-residential rent. Nonetheless, the government refused to ratify the law, returning it to the parliament pursuant to return decree number 12835, thus …