Executive Summary
In 2024, Lebanon’s human rights situation is characterized by severe violations amid ongoing economic and political crises. The Lebanese authorities have intensified their suppression of freedoms, targeting journalists, activists, and critics through harassment, arbitrary arrests, and defamation laws. This crackdown particularly impacts those opposing government actions or supporting marginalized groups, including the LGBT community. Systematic discrimination against LGBT individuals persists, with proposed legislation threatening to criminalize same-sex relations, while authorities fail to protect these individuals from violence and harassment.
The situation for Syrian refugees in Lebanon is also dire, with reports of arbitrary arrests and summary deportations compounded by hostile government rhetoric that fosters a climate of fear. The Lebanese judicial system is plagued by delays and inefficiencies, with many detainees held in prolonged pre-trial detention and overcrowded prisons lacking adequate healthcare. The lack of accountability for past abuses, including those related to the 2020 Beirut port explosion, has further eroded public trust in the legal system.
Socio-economically, the ongoing crisis has severely impacted individuals’ rights, with 86% of households struggling to afford basic necessities such as food and healthcare. Children’s rights are under threat due to inadequate protection mechanisms and a lack of comprehensive policies, exacerbated by the socio-economic crisis, leaving many children vulnerable to neglect and abuse. Overall, Lebanon’s human rights landscape in 2024 reflects a nation in crisis, with systemic violations across political, civil, and socio-economic domains, highlighting the urgent need for reforms and a renewed commitment to human rights standards.