Advocacy / Lebanon
Lebanon: Proposed media law poses grave threat to freedom of expression
As part of the Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression in Lebanon, MENA Rights Group calls on Lebanese authorities to ensure the new draft media law does not include provisions that restrict the right to freedom of expression, and that it meets international human rights standards.
Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression in Lebanon demands investigation into the assault on the Freedoms Protest
MENA Rights Group joins 9 organisations in condemning and calling on Lebanese authorities to investigate the assault on protesters and journalists on September 30, 2023.
Joint statement denouncing the use of drug charges to repress freedoms and liberties
MENA Rights Group joins 11 international and Lebanese civil society organisations in condemning the Lebanese authorities' use of drug charges as a tool to repress freedoms and liberties, particularly the recent interrogation and procedural violations against investigative journalist Mariam Lahham.
Lebanon: Attack on freedoms targets LGBTI people
In the wake of a violent assault on a LGBTI-friendly bar in Beirut, Lebanese authorities are attacking the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people. As part of the Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression in Lebanon, we call on the Lebanese authorities to immediately scrap the proposed anti-LGBTI laws and end the ongoing attacks on basic freedoms.
Lebanon: Comedian arrested for critical jokes
In a worrying trend of escalating attacks on free expression, Lebanese authorities arrested comedian Nour Hajjar for jokes critical of the government. As part of the Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression in Lebanon, MENA Rights Group calls on authorities to drop the charges against Hajjar and to abolish laws criminalising insults and criticism of authorities.
Beirut blast: joint letter to the UN Human Rights Council calling for international fact-finding mission
An open letter from Lebanese and international organisations, survivors and families of victims urging the Permanent Representative of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council to support the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations Human Rights Council at its 54th regular session to establish an international, independent and impartial fact-finding mission into human rights violations related to the Beirut port explosion of 4 August 2020.
Ruling against Sadek sets dangerous precedent for freedom of opinion in Lebanon
As part of the “Freedom of Opinion and Expression Coalition” in Lebanon, MENA Rights Group strongly condemns judicial decisions aimed at suppressing freedom of expression, especially the charges against journalist & media personality Dima Sadek.
Lebanon: 5 years on, no tangible progress in enforcing anti-torture law
In honor of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, local civil society organisations joined MENA Rights Group in urging Lebanese authorities to enforce Lebanon’s Anti-Torture Law No. 65/2017.
Joint Open Letter to the UNHCR in Lebanon
MENA Rights Group joins 30+ organisations in calling on the UNHCR to increase cooperation and transparency with local organisations in order to address the unlawful deportations of Syrian refugees from Lebanon.
Lebanon: Court decision is a blow to freedom of expression and independence of lawyers
As part of the Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression in Lebanon, MENA Rights Group condemned the Beirut Bar Association's amendment of the code of ethics, which will now require lawyers to obtain prior permission from the President of the BBA before engaging in any public or media appearances or discussing legal issues on social media, and bans lawyers from criticising the President of the BBA and its council members.