This paper was prepared by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) as a background paper contributing to the Arab Sustainable Development Report. It focuses on gender equality as a core element to achieve sustainable development.
This report is this first of a three-part series focusing on the current status and lessons learned relating to transitional justice and policing initiatives in opposition-controlled Syria. • Part I focuses on the effects of the departure of judicial and security elements of the Syrian state has had on conditions on the ground currently and on the nascent justice institutions that have emerged in this void (including levels of institutionalisation, Islamic law, and the legal systems currently being debated and trialed in some areas). • Part II examines the variety of institutions and...
This paper examines the situation of impunity in Lebanon that has persisted since the 1975–1990 war. It highlights the price of the Lebanese authorities’ failure to address the legacy of past conflict.
This study recommends a holistic approach to crafting a comprehensive and victim-centered transitional justice process in Lebanon. An incremental approach to reform would be of value, given the likely challenges to pursuing accountability in the country. Programming must involve state and nonstate actors—political and community leaders, civil society, and the broader public. In addition, human...
Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS, has released a revised version of what is probably the world’s most comprehensive compilation of commitments made by governments on civil society rights.
Originally released in 2008, and now fully updated, the compendium consolidates various international standards and commitments made by governments at the regional and global levels to protect civil society and ensure participation in public processes.
In addition to collating relevant portions of major UN documents, the compendium also includes commitments made by regional bodies such as the Arab...
In December 2013, NRC launched a report entitled ‘The Consequences of Limited Legal Status for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon: NRC Field Assessment in Aarsal and Wadi Khaled’ (Part One) based on the findings of an assessment that NRC conducted between
The population shift from Syria, as a result of the Syrian Crisis, is causing enormous pressure on host communities and exacerbating instability factors.
Briefing papers on the preservation of cultural heritageInstitutions and individuals from the Middle East and North Africa experience many shortcomings in legislation, policies and current practices impeding the sustainable preservation of cultural heritage. In order to obtain a systematic overview and a sound basis for engaging in lobby and advocacy work for improved governance of the cultural sector, the Modern Heritage Observatory contracted local lawyers and researchers to analyze and assess current regulations, policies and practices concerning the preservation of cultural heritage in...
Briefing papers on the preservation of cultural heritage Institutions and individuals from the Middle East and North Africa experience many shortcomings in legislation, policies and current practices impeding the sustainable preservation of cultural heritage.
The “Review of the Public Procurement Legal Framework in Lebanon” introduces the Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) in Lebanon and elaborates on the legal of the country’s procurement and sustainability laws that may offer a legal possibility for the adoption of SPP principl
This book tackles key Issues of concern within the aid discussion. It outlines issues of particular importance for civil society in the Arab region and highlights the difference of prospectives between government representatives and CSOs.
The National Report for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20) presents the current situation as is and highlights the achievements and failures, strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and risks.
The Strategic Planning is based on the findings of fieldwork carried out in several villages in Dinnieh, which aimed at identifying the major characteristics of the region in different fields.
This case study book entitled “Cases of Femicide before Lebanese Courts” was written by Azza Charara Baydoun and published by KAFA (enough) Violence & Exploitation in 2011.
The State and Trends of the Lebanese Environment report provides an overview of the current condition of natural resources and environmental management in the country. Furthermore, it gives an analysis of past and future developments across multiple different sectors.
On December 9, 2009, a Lebanese criminal court sentenced a Lebanese woman to 15 days in jail for repeatedly beating Jonalin Malibago, her Filipina maid, three years earlier. Lebanese newspapers hailed the case a landmark victory for the country’s estimated 200,000 migrant domestic workers (MDWs), many of whom report abuse at the hands of their employers. The case illustrated the positive role that the judiciary can play in protecting MDWs, even though the sentence was lenient given the violation. But it also raised at least one significant question: was the Malibago verdict a rare instance of...
