In this submission to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), Maharat Foundation, IFEX and OMCT examine the Government of Lebanon’s compliance with its international human rights obligations to create and maintain a safe and enabling environment for civil society. Specifically, we analyse Lebanon’s fulfilment of the rights to information and expression, as well as the rights to the freedoms of association and peaceful assembly. We examine the situation of journalists and human rights defenders (HRDs) and women human rights defenders (WHRDs) since its previous UPR examination in January 2021. We assess Lebanon’s implementation of recommendations received during the 3rd UPR cycle and provide a number of follow-up recommendations.

During the 3rd UPR cycle, the Government of Lebanon received 25 recommendations relating to civic space. 20 recommendations were accepted. One was “rejected” (from Israel), five were “noted”, (mainly relating to the decriminalisation of defamation). An evaluation of a range of sources in subsequent sections of this submission demonstrates that the Government of Lebanon has not fully implemented recommendations relating to civic space. Implementation gaps were found with regard to the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, and there has been an acute lack of accountability for violations, in particular in relation to attacks on journalists. 

We are deeply concerned by the targeting of civilians including journalists and medical human rights defenders during the Israeli attacks on Lebanon since the end of 2023, the clear violations of international human rights and humanitarian law and the notable lack of accountability for such attacks. 

We are further concerned by a general lack of protection provided to journalists and other civil society commentators, including, in particular, women human rights defenders, the harassment and targeting of those seeking to exercise their right to freedom of expression, and the misuse of criminal law to target those expressing their opinion. We are also concerned by the failure to properly implement the 2017 Access to Information law, meaning government transparency is still lacking.

Civic space in Lebanon is currently classified as Obstructed by the CIVICUS Monitor, indicating the existence of civic space restrictions.

This submission examines Lebanon’s implementation of previous UPR recommendations and compliance with international human rights standards on the following topics as follows:

- Section 1 concerns freedom of expression, media freedom and access to information.

- Section 2 concerns the protection of HRDs, including medical HRDs, civil society activists and journalists.

- Section 3 concerns the situation of women human rights defenders (WHRDs).

- Section 4 concerns freedom of assembly.

- Section 5 concerns freedom of association.

- Section 6 contains recommendations to address the concerns raised and advance implementation of recommendations under the 3rd cycle.

- Annex 1 outlines the implementation of 3rd cycle UPR recommendations related to civic space.

Check out the full report:

Lebanon Joint Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review, 51st Session