On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the National Human Rights Commission in Lebanon, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (NHRC-CPT), reaffirms its unwavering commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities across the country. This Day, dedicated globally to dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, provides a critical moment to reiterate Lebanon’s international obligations and its responsibilities toward ensuring a society where every person can live independently, participate fully, and enjoy all human rights without discrimination.
Lebanon’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol marked an important milestone in aligning national policies with global human rights standards. These instruments guarantee equality before the law, accessibility, inclusion, and the right to effective remedies when rights are violated. They also establish mechanisms to prevent ill-treatment, ensure accountability, and promote independent monitoring of places where persons with disabilities may be deprived of liberty.
Yet, despite this progress, persistent gaps continue to undermine the realization of these commitments. Many persons with disabilities in Lebanon face barriers to education, employment, health care, accessibility in the built environment, social protection, and full participation in public life. The economic crisis, institutional fragility, and limited enforcement of Law 220/2000 have further exacerbated exclusion and discrimination.
On this occasion, the NHRC-CPT calls upon the Lebanese authorities to translate ratification into meaningful action, and urges all relevant ministries, public institutions, and local authorities to:
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Ensure full and timely implementation of the CRPD and its Optional Protocol, including harmonization of national laws, regulations, and policies with the Convention’s standards.
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Adopt a comprehensive national disability strategy grounded in human rights, equality, accessibility, and non-discrimination.
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Strengthen independent monitoring, including providing the NHRC-CPT with the necessary financial and operational resources, in line with the Paris Principles and international best practices.
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Guarantee the effective participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in all decision-making processes that affect them.
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Improve accessibility across public services, including transportation, administrative buildings, digital access, and emergency services.
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Prevent all forms of violence, neglect, and ill-treatment, particularly in institutions, detention facilities, and care settings, and ensure prompt investigation and accountability for violations.
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Expand inclusive education and employment opportunities, ensuring reasonable accommodation and removing structural barriers that limit full participation.
The NHRC-CPT also stresses the importance of strengthening data collection, transparency, and evidence-based policymaking to better identify needs and measure progress. The Commission stands ready to support national authorities in reviewing laws, monitoring compliance, and advancing reforms that honor Lebanon’s international commitments.
On this International Day, we honor the resilience, talent, and contributions of persons with disabilities in Lebanon. Their rights are not a matter of charity, but of justice. Lebanon’s ratification of the CRPD and its Optional Protocol must be matched by concrete steps that make inclusion a lived reality for all.
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