Review of Lebanon’s Human Rights Record before Treaty Mechanisms and Special Procedures: Delays and Procrastination

هذه المقالة متاحة أيضًا بـ: العربية (Arabic)

The National Human Rights Commission, which includes the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, announced that it has prepared a list of key deadlines related to Lebanon’s review before treaty-based mechanisms established under international conventions and charter-based special procedures. The list highlights delays in submitting reports, failure to implement recommendations, and non-compliance with binding commitments under international human rights law and the United Nations Charter.

The Commission pointed out that Lebanon is behind in reviewing its human rights record before four treaty bodies:

1. The Committee Against Torture, before which Lebanon was supposed to appear in May 2021.
2. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, where Lebanon was due in October 2021.
3. The Human Rights Committee, before which Lebanon was scheduled to appear in April 2023.
4. The Committee on the Rights of the Child, where Lebanon was expected to present in June 2023.

Additionally, Lebanon has failed to meet its reporting obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography, with its initial report overdue since December 8, 2006.

Lebanon has also neglected to provide follow-up information on the recommendations included in the concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, particularly regarding:

• Paragraph 11 (National Human Rights Institution),
• Paragraph 13 (National Human Rights Plan),
• Paragraph 19 (Birth Registration),

which were due within one year of the adoption of the concluding observations in September 2022.

The Commission added: “Lebanon has failed to implement recommendations issued by all treaty bodies to establish a national mechanism for reporting and follow-up as a permanent governmental institutional structure. This mechanism would be tasked with preparing and coordinating reports to be submitted to international and regional human rights mechanisms, engaging with them, and coordinating and monitoring national follow-up on commitments arising from treaties and recommendations/decisions issued by these mechanisms. Lebanon has also failed to support this institutional structure with dedicated staff and to provide it with adequate and continuous resources. Furthermore, it has not ensured that the mechanism systematically consults with the National Human Rights Institution and civil society organizations.”

The Commission noted that the Lebanese government extended a standing and open invitation to the United Nations’ special procedures on March 17, 2011. However, 13 special rapporteurs and working groups are still waiting to visit Lebanon, some of them for years.

Key Human Rights Obligations for Lebanon:

Treaty Bodies / Contractual Mechanisms

1. Committee Against Torture | May 2021 (Delay)
   • The Committee reviewed Lebanon’s initial report (CAT/C/LBN/1) in sessions 1509 and 1512 (see CAT/C/SR.1509 and 1512) held on April 20–21, 2017. Concluding observations were adopted in sessions 1532 and 1533 on May 8, 2017.
   • Lebanon submitted follow-up information on the concluding observations on June 6, 2018.
   • The Committee requested Lebanon to submit its second periodic report by May 12, 2021, but Lebanon failed to do so.
2. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights | October 2021 (Delay)
   • The Committee reviewed Lebanon’s second periodic report (E/C.12/LBN/2) during sessions 61 and 62 (see E/C.12/2016/SR.61 and 62) held on September 26–27, 2016. Concluding observations were adopted during session 78 on October 7, 2016.
   • Lebanon was requested to submit its third periodic report by October 31, 2021, which has not yet been submitted.
3. Human Rights Committee | April 2023 (Delay)
   • The Committee reviewed Lebanon’s third periodic report (CCPR/C/LBN/3) in sessions 3460 and 3470 (see CCPR/C/SR.3460 and 3470) held on March 15 and 22, 2018. Concluding observations were adopted during session 3482 on April 3, 2018.
   • Lebanon submitted follow-up information on April 15, 2020. The Special Rapporteur on follow-up to concluding observations reviewed the information and other submissions from stakeholders, including organizations such as MENA Rights Group and the Global Detention Project.
   • Lebanon was requested to submit its next periodic report by April 6, 2023, but failed to do so.
4. Committee on the Rights of the Child | June 2023 (Delay)
   • The Committee reviewed Lebanon’s combined fourth and fifth periodic reports (CRC/C/LBN/4-5) in sessions 2201 and 2202 (see CRC/C/SR.2201 and 2202) held on May 18–19, 2017. Concluding observations were adopted during session 2221 on June 2, 2017.
   • Lebanon has failed to submit its initial report under the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography, which has been overdue since December 8, 2006.
   • Lebanon also opposes joining the Optional Protocol on Children in Armed Conflict and the Protocol on Communications Procedure.
   • Lebanon has not submitted its combined sixth and seventh periodic reports, due by June 12, 2023.

Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Human Rights Council | January 2026

• Lebanon’s third UPR was scheduled for January 18, 2018, but was delayed to January 18, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The fourth UPR for Lebanon is scheduled for the 51st session of the Human Rights Council in January–February 2026. Lebanon must submit its national report by October 2025.
• Lebanon failed to submit its voluntary midterm report, which was due in April 2023.

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) | February 2026

• Lebanon’s sixth periodic report was reviewed in February 2022, and concluding observations were issued, requiring Lebanon to provide written updates on the implementation of recommendations by February 2024.
• Lebanon’s seventh periodic report is due by February 2026, and it should cover all developments up to its submission date.

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination | December 2026

• Lebanon’s combined 23rd and 24th periodic reports were reviewed in sessions 2824 and 2825, held online on August 10–11, 2021, due to COVID-19. Concluding observations were adopted on August 20, 2021.
• Lebanon failed to submit follow-up information on the concluding observations, due by September 2022.
• The Committee urged Lebanon to urgently update its common core document, last revised in 1996.
• Lebanon is also overdue in addressing specific recommendations regarding the National Human Rights Institution (paragraph 11), the National Human Rights Plan (paragraph 13), and birth registration (paragraph 19).
• Lebanon’s combined 25th–28th periodic reports are due by December 12, 2026.

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities | February 2027

• Lebanon’s Parliament approved Law No. 291 on April 12, 2021, authorizing the government to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its protocol. However, the related decree (No. 10966) was only issued on February 6, 2023, after a one-year delay.
• Lebanon has yet to fully commit to joining the 185 States Parties to the CRPD or to ensuring comprehensive protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities.

Special Procedures: Independent Experts, Special Rapporteurs, and Working Groups (Non-Treaty Mechanisms)

The Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council consist of independent human rights experts mandated to report and advise on specific themes or country situations. They play a crucial role in the UN human rights system, covering all categories of rights: civil, cultural, economic, political, and social. Lebanon has extended a standing invitation to the UN Special Procedures since March 17, 2011. However, 13 Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups have been awaiting approval to visit Lebanon for years. While some delays are logistical or technical, political and diplomatic obstacles often hinder these visits. Lebanon has selectively approved visits for Special Rapporteurs on issues aligned with its political agenda while rejecting others, particularly those dealing with sensitive mandates like judicial independence and enforced disappearances.

Pending Requests for Visits by Special Procedures

1. Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances | November 2015 (9 Years Delay, Four Reminders)

• Mandate: Assist families in determining the fate or whereabouts of disappeared persons. Acts as an intermediary between families and governments.
• Key Dates:
  • Original Request: November 27, 2015.
  • Reminders: January 19, 2018; June 1, 2018; January 18, 2019; January 7, 2022.
• Status: No response from Lebanon to date.

2. Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers | November 2015 (9 Years Delay, Request Accepted but Visit Postponed)

• Mandate: Protect the independence of judges and lawyers, investigate violations, and recommend reforms.
• Key Dates:
  • Original Request: November 18, 2015.
  • Approval: May 5, 2020; visit scheduled for November 3–10, 2020 but postponed by Lebanon.
• Status: No rescheduled date.

3. Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Counter-Terrorism | February 2017 (6 Years Delay)

• Mandate: Ensure anti-terrorism measures comply with international human rights standards.
• Key Date: Request submitted on February 13, 2017.
• Status: No response from Lebanon.

4. Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls | July 2019 (5 Years Delay)

• Mandate: Eliminate discrimination against women and girls through legislative and policy reforms.
• Key Date: Request submitted on July 30, 2019.
• Status: No response from Lebanon.

5. Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food | July 2019 (5 Years Delay)

• Mandate: Protect and promote the right to food and address global hunger and food insecurity.
• Key Date: Request submitted on July 12, 2019.
• Status: No response from Lebanon.

6. Special Rapporteur on the Implications for Human Rights of Hazardous Substances and Wastes | September 2020 (4 Years Delay)

• Mandate: Address human rights impacts of hazardous substances and waste management.
• Key Date: Request submitted on September 24, 2020.
• Status: No response from Lebanon.

7. Special Rapporteur on the Right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association | November 2020 (4 Years Delay)

• Mandate: Promote and protect the rights to peaceful assembly and association.
• Key Date: Request submitted on November 20, 2020.
• Status: No response from Lebanon.

8. Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation | November 2020 (4 Years Delay)

• Mandate: Promote access to safe drinking water and sanitation as a human right.
• Key Date: Request submitted on November 20, 2020.
• Status: No response from Lebanon.

9. Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Opinion and Expression | June 2020 (4 Years Delay)

• Mandate: Protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression in all forms, online and offline.
• Key Dates:
  • Request Approved: June 16, 2020.
  • Status: Visit not facilitated or scheduled by Lebanon.

10. Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order | November 2021 (3 Years Delay)

• Mandate: Support global efforts to establish a fair international system rooted in UN principles.
• Key Date: Request submitted on November 20, 2021.
• Status: No response from Lebanon.

11. Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, its Causes and Consequences | August 2022 (2 Years Delay)

• Mandate: Address all forms of violence against women and girls as human rights violations.
• Key Date: Request submitted on August 17, 2022.
• Status: No response from Lebanon.

12. Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights | May 2023 (1 Year Delay)

• Mandate: Protect cultural rights, including heritage and diversity.
• Key Dates:
  • Request Submitted: 2022.
  • Reminder Sent: May 1, 2023.
• Status: No response from Lebanon.

13. Special Rapporteur on the Negative Impact of Unilateral Coercive Measures on Human Rights | April 2023 (1 Year Delay)

• Mandate: Address the human rights implications of unilateral sanctions.
• Key Date: Request submitted on April 14, 2023.
• Status: No response from Lebanon.

Lebanon’s lack of response or selective engagement with UN Special Procedures reflects broader challenges in its adherence to international human rights mechanisms.