Justice & Accountability

Justice, as the opposite of impunity, is a prerequisite for sustainable and stable peace. Human rights defenders, lawyers and activists from the Middle East seek to hold human rights’ perpetrators accountable. Where the perpetrators are state actors protected by political immunity, human rights defenders resort to justice mechanisms abroad, such as through the principle of universal jurisdiction.

For justice to last, each country has to follow its individual path to justice, recognizing its local voices and diversity. If societal groups feel excluded from justice processes, not justice but another case of injustice will be experienced. 

Therefore, the program justice and accountability supports initiatives that demand accountability and formulate visions for a future by bringing together different actors on their paths to justice. International dialogue, documentation and advocacy initiatives are at heart of this work. 

Latest Publications
An 'informal tented settlement' in Lebanon's Bekaa valley

It does not Need a Push-back to Push Back

Paper

Ever since the outbreak of the Syrian ‘civil war’ in the aftermath of the Arab Uprising 2011, Lebanon has become the number one host country for Syrian refugees.  With a population of only six million people, Lebanon has been hosting around 1.5 million Syrians.  While in the first years there was still a limited sort of solidarity with fleeing people, this has been decreasing due to the longevity of the war in Lebanon’s neighbor country and the severe domestic economic crisis that Lebanon is going through since 2019.

Cover of the report

ACCESS TO LEGAL STAY AND LABOR FOR SYRIANS IN LEBANON

Report

Refugees_Partners Project publishes a report titled: "Access to legal stay and labor For Syrians in Lebanon: Status and prospects". This report examines Syrian refugees’ access to legal status in Lebanon, i.e. residency, legal documentation, and work permits. Accordingly, the research investigates the legal and policy frameworks governing the livelihood of Syrians in Lebanon by examining the different legislations and regulations governing Syrians’ stay in Lebanon and access to labor opportunities and also examining the published reports and articles written by scholars or active organizations. This report scrutinizes the policy responses that relate to Syrian refugees’ status in Lebanon, focusing on the livelihood sector as implemented by UN actors the international and national NGOs.

cover of the book Boarderlanders: photo of a green valley with a mountain in the background

Borderlanders

Documentary Photography

Daniel Meier and Hussein Baydoun, respectively political scientist and photojournalist, explored various borderland regions in the North, East and South of Lebanon. They met a large number of residents from different social origins, age, gender, sects and nationalities. Each of them explained how a border is not a simple phenomenon like a “line of sovereignty” but rather an entity that has an impact on those living nearby.

 

The Heinrich Böll Foundation Beirut office (hbs) is holding its 5th annual Almost There Film Festival (ATFF) on Human Rights and Migration from the 4th of November until the 5th of December 2021. This year’s edition is set to take place on the weekends in various locations all over Lebanon.

Screenings, concert and discussions will all be open to the general public and are as usual free of charge.

Seats are limited, please register before joining. 
For more information
info@lb.boell.org - 01-216037 ext 0 

FULL PROGRAM

Articles
Rubble caused by the earthquake in Turkey

Practically and legally feasible: temporary residency plans for earthquake survivors must not founder on red tape!

Covid-19 pandemic, vaccine distribution and global justice: the story so far

Frauen gegen Donald Trump

Feminist foreign policy - imperative for a more secure and just world

A wounded Syrian refugee, who along with his family fled the Syrian city of Homs, sits next to a pillow at Wadi Khaled village in northern Lebanon, March 28, 2012.

The Right to Belong to a Political Community at the Example of the Legal Situation of Refu-gees in Lebanon

The Strong Point of the Syrian Army: No one else can carry as many washing machines