LEBANON

CESCR E/1994/23

163. The Committee considered the initial report of Lebanon on articles 1 to 15 of the Covenant (E/1990/5/Add.16) at its 14th, 16th and 21st meetings on 25, 26 and 28 May 1993 and, at it 21st meeting, adopted the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

164. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the Government of Lebanon for sending a delegation to present its initial report and to engage in a dialogue with members of the Committee. The Committee views this as a demonstration of goodwill and of good faith in response to the Government's obligations under the Covenant and in the light of the great difficulties prevailing in Lebanon.

165. The Committee welcomes the statement of the Government of Lebanon as presented by its representatives, expressing its regrets for the delay in submitting its report and for the brevity of that report, owing to the circumstances of conflict that have prevailed in the country over the past 16 years. The Committee looks forward, therefore, to more comprehensive reports on future occasions, as pledged by the Government.

B. Positive aspects

166. The Committee welcomes the current initiatives undertaken by the Government to review its existing laws with the goal of updating them to address current situations and of putting together a national agenda for development that will promote and protect the economic, social and cultural rights of everyone on equal terms.

167. The Committee commends that establishment of government agencies directly responsible for the welfare of children and disabled and displaced persons.

168. The Committee notes with satisfaction that primary education is free and compulsory, and that education is being made available to all.

169. The Committee encouraged by ongoing government efforts towards alleviating the predicament of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant

170. The Committee recognizes the dilemma that the Government of Lebanon faces in addressing the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the country with only very limited resources. In return, the process of reconstruction itself has hampered the resettlement of displaced communities.

171. The Committee observes that the lack of administrative mechanisms to gather and monitor information has seriously impaired the Government's information concerning the national situation as it relates to economic, social and cultural rights.

172. The Committee notes that the absence of a framework for civil law marriage obliges many persons to leave the country in order to marry. This in turn has a negative effect on the Government's capacity to protect the family.

D. Principal subjects of concern

173. The Committee expresses its concern about the large number of persons displaced as a result of the armed conflict, and the concomitant economic, social and cultural problems. In particular, the Committee cites the serious problems in housing where it concerns displaced persons, especially farmers who had forced to abandon their land.

174. The Committee is also concerned about the disruptions in the Lebanese economy and the resulting high rate of unemployment.

E. Suggestions and recommendations

175. The Committee notes that, while the Government of Lebanon continues to perform its functions under very significant resource and other constraints, it remains essential that the highest priority be accorded to the realization of basic economic, social and cultural rights by all members of society.

176. The Committee recommends that the problem of unemployment be addressed without delay and reminds the Government of its obligations under articles 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Covenant. The Committee recommends that government employees be accorded the right to form and join trade unions in accordance with the provisions of the Covenant.

177. In view of the fact that the Government of Lebanon is fully aware of the problems of displaced persons, the Committee encourages the Government to further its efforts to stabilize the situation.

178. The Committee recommends that the second periodic report of Lebanon should be considerably more detailed than the initial report and suggest that, if Government so wishes, the report might be prepared with the assistance of an expert provided under the Advisory Services Programme of the Centre for Human Rights.