Democratisation & Human Rights

The Syrian presidential elections were an event of special significance for Syrians and Lebanese alike, since holding these elections entailed prolonging the humanitarian and political crisis suffered by Syrians and the societies and states that play host to them. It was the first time that Syrian elections had allowed for out-of-country voting, and the Syrian embassy in Lebanon prided itself on having had more than 80,000 voters on the first day alone.

It’s a nice evening during the summer of 2014, a small group of old friends gather in a mountain village for a chat, a drink and some tasty Lebanese food. These friends, all of them now in their fifties, were combatants during the civil war that ravaged Lebanon from 1975 until 1990. Although they all found their way back to civilian life long ago, almost inevitably during such encounters they talk about their experiences and memories of the civil war.

1975, a year engraved in my soul and memory for ever. 1975, the beginning of the civil war in Lebanon, I still remember what happened that day in September.

"Back to zero: Palestinian refugees who after the nakba had built their lives and existences in Syria have been forced to leave. While their memories of Palestine are vivid, they feel they have lost yet another home. Watch Carol Mansour's film "We cannot go there now, my Dear", produced in collaboration with Heinrich Böll Stiftung - Middle East."  

At least two days before the seventy-first celebration of Lebanese independence on November 22, patriotic responsibility dictates that, if parliamentary elections have not been held, then a law must be in place extending the term of the current parliament for the second time in succession, lest Lebanon—on its Independence Day—be transformed into a series of tribal states instead of the state of tribes it is today.

The LGBT community in Lebanon has made important gains, but continued abuses remind us that there is much more to be done.

“No construction or any other permit is being or will be sought in the foreseeable future as far as I am aware,” said a representative of the majority land holders. But despite the new apparent roadblock to any development, there’s also no plans to turn the land over to the public.

Lebanon is searching a new President - so far, no solution seems to be in sight. What does it mean for the country, and how can civil society support the process? Translated from the Arabic by Robin Moger.

Syrian Director Liwaa Yazji’s work “Haunted” is nominated for the “First Film Competition” at the International Film Festival Marseille, which will be held from July 1 to 7 2014, where it will also have its international premiere. This documentary is produced with the cooperation of Heinrich Böll Stiftung-Middle East