Rasha Hamade: Two Years With Grief
“Since August 4th, 2020, 6:07 pm, no survivor of the Beirut blastperceives life the same way they did before. I find it therapeutic to create and live this continuous grief next to others who share similar yet contrasting experiences. I gathered the experiences of survivors living in Lebanon or part of the diaspora and channeled […]
The (Up)rising of Political Freedom
As I was walking down the streets in the middle of the crowd on October 17, 2019, I felt extremely proud to be Lebanese. Hearing the protesters’ chants, I experienced a sense of freedom that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. It was as if I was finally part of a real movement […]
August 4th Investigation: Challenging a Regime Rife with Impunity
“This time, it’s different” has become a rallying cry amongst the families of victims of the Beirut port blast, mobilized in their pursuit of truth and justice for the August 4th massacre1. 16 months and 2 judges later, the investigation into the devastating port explosion is at risk after suspected senior officials refused to appear […]
Lebanon’s Prosecutorial Authority, a Shield for Protecting Society or an Arm of the Political System?
Since the October 17 uprising, the Lebanese people have been calling for the disclosure of corruption files and for holding corrupt officials accountable. The Public Prosecution Office (PPO) is the legal authority entrusted to carry out investigations into these matters and has the authority to exercise their role in defending the interests and rights of […]
A Window to the Alternatives
Question Regarding the Tripoli Clashes Events in Tripoli have been, are, and will remain heated if no action is taken. In 2021, at least one Lebanese person died, 400 Lebanese were injured, 39 Lebanese were illegally and unlawfully arrested, and four of them are still missing because of protesting for their own basic rights. To […]
The Roadmap to an Independent Judiciary
The October 17 revolution sparked an awakening in the judicial landscape. After an initial indifference towards the judiciary, there was a common perception during the revolution’s early days of the priority of judiciary’s independence, given its central role in combating the corruption that has plagued the state and in recovering plundered funds. All anti-corruption laws […]
Tripoli: The Forgotten Bride of the Mediterranean
Tripoli, a city located in the north of Lebanon and home to over 700,000 citizens, is Lebanon’s poorest city. It has suffered years of neglect and has been stained with violence and extremism for years. Political dealings, the legacy of the Lebanese Civil War, and regional power dynamics have changed the face of a once-prosperous […]
Lebanon’s Parliament During a Year of Collapses and Crises: Lack of Vision, Populism, Inertia, and Buying Time for a Crumbling House of Cards
Legislative Lethargy and Low Productivity The Parliament held 8 sessions during the period between October 17th, 2019 and the end of 2020. The four legislative sessions included 172 different topics1. Urgent and repeated proposed laws represented 86% of the proposals on the Parliament’s agenda, i.e. the proposals that directly reach the General Assembly, without being […]
Judge’s Dismissal Casts Further Doubt on Port Investigation Legitimacy
Six months have passed since one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions in the modern era ravaged our beloved Beirut. As today’s Lebanon continues to combat health, economic and social crises, receiving closure where we can would be more welcome than ever. Six months have passed, and we would like nothing better than to […]