Lebanon: A failed democracy hidden beneath a varnished image

Lebanon, once hailed as the "Switzerland of the Middle East," stands today as a country full of contradictions. It is a nation that prides itself on its rich history, cultural diversity, and cosmopolitan cities, yet it is plagued by deep-rooted inequalities, systemic failures, and human rights abuses that have eroded its democratic ideals. 

The Lebanon that once held the promise of a peaceful, pluralistic society now struggles to uphold even the most basic principles of equality and justice.

Lebanon’s political system is often portrayed as a democratic beacon in the Middle East, with its power-sharing model that allocates government positions based on religious affiliation. While this system was designed to maintain peace among Lebanon’s diverse religious communities, it has instead perpetuated division and entrenched a corrupt political elite. 

The same families and sectarian leaders have held power for decades,prioritizing their own interests over the welfare of the people. This elite-driven politics has led to a state riddled with inefficiency, widespread corruption, and a lack of accountability, undermining the very foundations of democracy.

At the heart of Lebanon’s political dysfunction is the reality that the system is not designed to serve the people but to preserve the status quo. Despite popular protests and demands for reform, most notably during the 2019 revolution, meaningful change remains elusive. Lebanon’s democracy is one where the voices of the few overshadow the needs of the many.

The Dark Reality Behind the Façade

Lebanon is a country that celebrates its openness and hospitality, yet beneath this veneer lies a much darker reality. For example, the LGBTQ+ community faces significant repression; homosexuality is still criminalized under Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code, with the vague wording of “unnatural sexual acts” used to harass and persecute individuals based on their sexual orientation.

Even more glaring is the situation of Palestinian refugees, many of whom have lived in Lebanon for more than 50 years but remain trapped in a state of legal limbo. Confined to overcrowded and impoverished camps, these refugees are denied basic rights, including the ability to work in many professions or own property. They have become, quite literally, refugees in perpetuity—unseen and unheard, their existence a testament to Lebanon’s failure to integrate or address their plight.

Migrant Workers: Modern-Day Slavery

Perhaps one of the most egregious human rights abuses in Lebanon is the treatment of migrant workers, particularly those employed under the kafala system. This system, which governs the employment of domestic workers from countries like Ethiopia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Domestic workers are tied to their employers, often enduring inhumane conditions, long working hours, physical abuse, and little to no recourse for their suffering. Their passports are frequently confiscated, and many are subjected to what can only be described as modern-day slavery.

This practice is enabled by a legal framework that dehumanizes these workers, who come to Lebanon in search of better opportunities but often find themselves trapped in a cycle of abuse and exploitation. The country's continued reliance on the kafala system is a stark indicator of how far it has strayed from the democratic principles it claims to uphold.

Rampant Racism: A Hidden but Persistent Problem

Racism in Lebanon is not just an undercurrent; it is a pervasive and systemic issue that affects daily life. Black and dark-skinned people, particularly migrant workers, are often subjected to overt discrimination. Whether in the form of racial slurs, discriminatory practices, or outright violence, racism is rampant in Lebanese society. 

The marginalization of African and Asian domestic workers is one glaring example, but the problem extends to Syrians, Palestinians, and other minorities who face varying degrees of social exclusion and mistreatment.

This racial hierarchy in Lebanon is a deeply ingrained societal problem, one that reveals the country’s struggle to reconcile its self-image as a hospitable and tolerant society with the ugly truth of its racial prejudices. The warm and welcoming Lebanese persona is a reality for many, but it is a selective warmth, extended only to those who fit within certain social and racial categories.

Gender Inequality and Citizenship Laws

Lebanese women face their own unique set of challenges. One of the most blatant forms of gender inequality in Lebanon is its nationality law, which prohibits Lebanese women from passing on their citizenship to their children if their father is a foreigner. This discriminatory law affects thousands of families, creating generations of stateless children who are denied the rights and privileges of full citizenship in their own country.

This law, rooted in patriarchal values, further highlights the failure of Lebanon’s democracy to protect and empower all its citizens, regardless of gender. While Lebanese men can easily confer their nationality to their children and spouses, women are left to fight a system that views them as second-class citizens.

A Society of Contrasts: Heroes Amid the Chaos

Despite these profound challenges, Lebanon is also a country of resilience, creativity, and strength. The Lebanese people—both within the country and in the vast diaspora—have produced extraordinary individuals who continue to make significant contributions to the world. From pioneering doctors and engineers to artists, activists, and entrepreneurs, Lebanon’s vibrant civil society is a beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak political landscape.

However, many of Lebanon’s most courageous voices for change have been silenced through assassination. Throughout the country's 15-year civil war and the turbulent decades that followed, leaders, journalists, and intellectuals have been systematically targeted. Kamal Jumblatt, a visionary political leader, was killed for his advocacy of social justice and reform. Journalists like Samir Kassir and Gebran Tueni were assassinated for their fearless criticism of corruption and foreign interference. These assassinations are painful reminders of how the ruling elite and foreign powers often maintain control through violence and the suppression of dissent.

Yet, even in the face of such tragedies, new voices continue to rise. It was in the streets of Beirut during the 2019 protests that ordinary Lebanese—students, workers, and intellectuals—came together, demanding an end to corruption and inequality. Figures like Dr. Firass Abiad, a public health advocate, and human rights lawyer Noura Al-Jizawi continue to fight for reform, showing that the Lebanese spirit of resistance and hope is far from extinguished.

In the Lebanese diaspora, individuals such as Amal Clooney in international law, and scientists like Huda Zoghbi, are achieving global recognition, carrying the flag of Lebanese excellence around the world.

The Path Forward

Lebanon may be a failed democracy in its current form, but its people—whether in Beirut, Paris, or New York—are its greatest asset. Their resilience, creativity, and drive offer hope that the country can eventually transcend its divisions and reclaim its democratic promise.

The challenge now lies in creating a system that truly reflects the values of equality, justice, and human dignity that these individuals represent.

The road to reform is long, but Lebanon’s potential remains vast. As the country faces a pivotal moment in its history, it must look inward and confront the darker realities that have been ignored for too long. Only then can Lebanon move from being a failed democracy to becoming a place where all its citizens—regardless of race, gender, or status—are afforded the rights and opportunities they deserve.

For that to happen, Lebanon must uphold a true democratic government that works for unity and justice, not one ruled by factions and warlords.