Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib received UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Olivier de Schutter who briefed the minister on the outcome of his 10-day visit to Lebanon.
Following the meeting, Schutter said that “the Lebanese authorities’ destruction of national currency, plunging the country into political impasse, worsening long-standing inequalities, has all contributed to plunging Lebanon into severe poverty.”
“Lebanon is not yet a collapsed state, but it is on the verge of collapse, and its government is failing its people,” he added.
“The destruction of Lebanese pound has wrecked people's lives and impoverished millions. The government's failure to confront this unprecedented crisis has resulted in widespread suffering among the people…” he explained.
"While the population tries to survive day after day, the government wastes valuable time evading accountability and makes refugees scapegoats for its survival," he continued.
He stressed that “reliance on international help was not sustainable, and it actually weakened state institutions,” saying that “Lebanon lacks a comprehensive social welfare system that would have mitigated crisis’ effects which left the majority of the people vulnerable.”
“The government should prioritize setting a universal minimum level of social protection, including unemployment insurance, child benefits, old-age and disability pensions, sickness and maternity or paternity benefits, all of which would have protected workers during the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic…” Schutter mentioned.
He also pointed out that "the complex relationship between the political class and the banking sector remains very worrying,” and concluded by saying that “International Community must see the government's seriousness in implementing transparency and accountability.”
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