Democratisation & Human Rights

Lebanon's Political Alternatives: Mapping the Opposition

In the last few years, Lebanon witnessed an increase number of political groups that seek to challenge the establishment. Yet, little is known about their political structure, policy positions and how they compare to one another. Based on original survey data, this study unpack differences in the international organisational structures, policy stances, strategies for political change, and alliances of the fifteen most prominent alternatives political groups.

Indications of a Critical Electoral Process Path

Report

The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections -LADE and as part of its mission towards observing and monitoring the electoral process, spotted numerous indications of a critical political path that affects the electoral process.

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Kohl | Vol. 7 No. 1 | Summer 2021

Journal

Our Partner kohl is finally happy to announce the publication of their latest issue, Counter Archives, encompassing the works of more than 35 writers, researchers and illustrators. This issue started as “A Revolutionary Archive of 2020,” and acquired a life of its own. It took the shapes and contours of the writing circle Kohl called for in early 2021. The circle met virtually for eight Saturdays. Tearing through the realisms of lockdown, migration, COVID-19, and occupation, they created an oasis for them to grieve, breathe, be in solidarity with each other, and do community differently.

Damages in Mar Mikhael following the Beirut Port blast

LEBANON’S DESCENT INTO THE ABYSS

Article

It is rare for societies to be transformed beyond recognition in a short span of time. When such historical moments happen, they are usually caused by wars or foreign invasions. But war is not what is happening in Lebanon, at least not yet. In the throes of what the World Bank described as one of the worst financial and economic crises globally since the mid-nineteenth century, Lebanon is undergoing a painful process of social disintegration, whose consequences can be seen in almost all aspects of social existence.

By Samer Frangie

Damaged silos in Beirut Port following the August 4 blast

A LETTER FROM THE ABYSS

Editorial

The biggest uprising in the country’s history, one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in the twenty-first century, a global pandemic, and now one of the worst socio-economic crises in the world… In the last two years, Lebanon has been transformed beyond recognition, has unraveled beyond limits.

By Samer Frangie

Research: To Strengthen the Culture of Knowledge

Research Abstracts

The 7th edition' booklet of abstracts of the Research Program To Strengthen the Culture of Knowledge, which was launched with the support of Heinrich Boell Middle East, Beirut and Mimmeta Organisation.

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The struggle of the LGBTIQ* community to achieve visibility on TV and social networks

E-Paper

To use platforms and coming out- or not to? How to balance between the desire for a presence to share experiences on the one hand and being firmly attached to their family’s values? This is a question that many LGBTIQ* people in Lebanon face.

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Stabilization via change? The European Union’s support for human rights advocacy in Lebanon

Paper

Civil society is identified as a key partner for the European Union (EU) and receiver of financial support in the European Neighbourhood Policy, as civil society is closest to the citizen’s needs, for example in terms of human rights. However, the existing body of research questions whether such aspirations for human rights are compatible with the EU’s main priority in neighbourhood, stabilization. To investigate how this alleged contradiction affects the de facto support for pro-democratic civil society organizations, this research focuses on the question “What are the means of the European Neighbourhood Policy to support Lebanese Human Rights Organizations in their advocacy for Human Rights and Democracy in Lebanon?”Interviews with local experts show that the EU Delegation is striving to cooperate closely with civil society actors to support their human rights advocacy but is limited in their capacity to provide funding to HROs due to a shift of priorities in the newest Single Support Framework (SSF). A comparison of the SSF from before and after stabilization became the main priority, confirms this finding.

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TRIPOLI BY-ELECTIONS OBSERVATION REPORT

Report

Following years of delays and legislative challenges, Lebanon's 2018 parliamentary elections marked a pivotal moment in the country's political landscape. Despite the introduction of a new electoral law aimed at promoting proportional representation, the system's inherent flaws and inconsistencies led to widespread criticism and operational difficulties. This piece explores the impact of the electoral law, the complications faced during the elections, and the ongoing challenges in Lebanon's pursuit of fair and effective governance.

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Photo of the Holiday Inn Building in Beirut

Political Perspectives in Lebanon After the Thawra

Paper

The staunchest criticism of the sectarian political model came from the civil society. Lebanese citizens have called for the abolition of this regime for more than a decade. The topic became a rallying cry for all Lebanese during the 2015 "You Stink" movement and more recently during the 2019 revolution (thawra).

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